Dulquer Salmaan's upcoming period drama film *Kaantha* is facing a legal dispute as B. Thiagarajan, the grandson of legendary Tamil actor and singer M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT), has filed a defamation suit in a Chennai court seeking to stop the film's release. Thiagarajan claims that *Kaantha* portrays his grandfather in a false and defamatory manner, describing him as a man of loose morals who lived his final years in blindness and poverty, which he argues is misleading and damages the legacy of MKT, who was known for his dignity and humility despite facing hardships and false accusations in his life. Additionally, Thiagarajan asserts that the filmmakers did not obtain permission from the legal heirs of Thyagaraja Bhagavathar to depict him in the movie. The court has asked the filmmakers, including Dulquer Salmaan and producers Rana Daggubati and others, to respond to the petition; the hearing is set for November 18, 2025, after the film's scheduled release on November 14[1][3][6][8]. M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, regarded as Tamil cinema's first superstar, had a highly celebrated career which was later marred by his implication in a controversial criminal case. The contention centers on the film's portrayal of this sensitive part of his life. The plaintiff seeks permanent injunction against release, screening, distribution, or streaming of *Kaantha* until the matter is resolved[2][5][7]. In summary, the legal dispute challenges the accuracy and respectfulness of *Kaantha*'s depiction of a revered historical figure, raising issues of permission from heirs as well as defamation concerns.
Citations
1.https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/regional/dulquer-salmaan-s-kaantha-lands-in-legal-trouble-ahead-of-release-article-13668636.html
2.https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/dulquer-salmaans-kaantha-in-court-after-mk-thyagaraja-bhagavathars-grandson-seeks-stay-on-release-10359563/lite/
3.https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/dulquer-salmaans-kaantha-in-court-after-mk-thyagaraja-bhagavathars-grandson-seeks-stay-on-release-10359563/
4.https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/dulquer-salmaans-kaantha-lands-in-legal-trouble-ahead-of-release-2817665-2025-11-11
5.https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/kaantha-movie-thyagaraja-bhagavathar-grandson-petition-bad-light-portrayal-309547
6.https://www.telugu360.com/case-filed-against-dulquer-salmaans-kaantha/
7.https://english.mathrubhumi.com/amp/movies-music/news/false-portrayal-thyagaraja-bhagavathars-grandson-moves-chennai-court-against-dulquer-salmaans-kaantha-movie-wxxgmyh1
8.https://www.dtnext.in/news/chennai/chennai-court-directs-dulquer-makers-of-kaantha-to-file-reply-on-ban-plea-852753
9.
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Citations
1.https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/regional/dulquer-salmaan-s-kaantha-lands-in-legal-trouble-ahead-of-release-article-13668636.html
2.https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/dulquer-salmaans-kaantha-in-court-after-mk-thyagaraja-bhagavathars-grandson-seeks-stay-on-release-10359563/lite/
3.https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/dulquer-salmaans-kaantha-in-court-after-mk-thyagaraja-bhagavathars-grandson-seeks-stay-on-release-10359563/
4.https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/dulquer-salmaans-kaantha-lands-in-legal-trouble-ahead-of-release-2817665-2025-11-11
5.https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/kaantha-movie-thyagaraja-bhagavathar-grandson-petition-bad-light-portrayal-309547
6.https://www.telugu360.com/case-filed-against-dulquer-salmaans-kaantha/
7.https://english.mathrubhumi.com/amp/movies-music/news/false-portrayal-thyagaraja-bhagavathars-grandson-moves-chennai-court-against-dulquer-salmaans-kaantha-movie-wxxgmyh1
8.https://www.dtnext.in/news/chennai/chennai-court-directs-dulquer-makers-of-kaantha-to-file-reply-on-ban-plea-852753
9.
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