Row in Kerala over the name of Suraj Venjarmoodu-starrer Higuita

In a tweet, on 29 November, he wished that no writer in any language would suffer his plight. He also said that Malayalam cinema has always loved and respected writers.

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As the issue triggered a row, several people, including celebrated Malayalam-English poet K Satchidanandan, came out in support of Madhavan. Satchidanandan attested that the name Higuita became familiar among Malayali readers through Madhavan’s famous short story.

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“It is one of the best short stories in the language. The makers of the movie should have shown the propriety to inform the writer when they take the name of the story for their film,” Satchidanandan said.

However, Hemant Nair, the filmmaker, said that the title was announced three years ago and that there has been no issue so far. He said that he did not know what happened suddenly after the recent release of the first-look poster of the Suraj Venjaramoodu-starrer.

‘Plot of the film is different’

The film has nothing to do with Madhavan’s story and the title, Higuita, was given for a symbolic reason, the young director said.

“My movie is a political satire in which the protagonist is a person who tries to protect his party, much like a goalkeeper who tries to save his team on the ground. Thus, the name of Colombian goalkeeper René Higuita was chosen for the title,” he said.

Nair also said that Madhavan is one of the writers whom he admires the most and that he did not want to hurt him in any way. He said that he would try to meet the writer in person and discuss the matter.

However, on Friday, 2 December, Madhavan tweeted that he had been informed that the name Higuita would not be used for the upcoming film and thanked the Kerala Film Chamber for facilitating this.

“I have been informed that the name Higuita will not be used for the movie. I am grateful to Kerala Film Chamber for facilitating this. Thanks for all the support. I wish young director Hemanth Nair and his film all success. May people flock to see the Suraj-Dhyaan movie,” the writer said.

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He later told reporters in Thrissur that he was thoroughly pained after coming to know that the name of his short story was used as the title of an upcoming film.

“Because I cannot do a film based on that short story anymore. Once the title is registered, its rights go to that person. So, I will lose the rights to my story. Thus, I appraised the Film Chamber about my concerns,” Madhavan said.

Film Chamber puts the name on hold

A Film Chamber source told PTI that the film crew has been directed to put the controversial title on hold till they receive the consent of the author.

However, film personalities, including well-known filmmaker Venu, termed the Chamber’s action as absurd.
Nair said he did not get an official directive from the Chamber in this regard.

“We came to know about the development through the media only. We hope that the Chamber will listen to our version also. So, we will surely convince them when we get the opportunity. The other things will be decided later,” he told the media.

René Higuita, the former professional footballer, was known for his high-risk ‘sweeper-keeper’ playing style and flair for the dramatic. He was ranked the eighth-best South American keeper in history by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.

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