Kaali is a documentary film which is directed by Indian filmmaker-actor-poet Leena Manimekalai. It has been a topic of debate and controversy for the past few days.
The Toronto- based filmmaker belongs to Madurai, in the South Indian state Tamil Nadu, is a film student in Canada. She was among 18 graduate students chosen under the programme managed by the Toronto Metropolitan University to make works on multiculturalism.
Leena Manimekalai is known for directing multiple documentaries such as Mathamma, Parai, Break the Shackles, Love Lost, Connecting Lines, Alter, Waves After Waves, A Hole in the Bucket, Goddesses, White Van stories, Is it too much too Ask, etc.
Apart from that she also directed as well as acted in the Independent film- Sengadal and helmed another feature film Maadathy: An Unfairy Tale, a Tamil folklore drama film. Manimekalai has been recognised with participation, mentions and best film awards in many International and National film festivals.
Makers and actors of Kaali
The documentary features filmmaker Leena Manimekalai herself in the lead role. It is co-written and edited by Shravan while Fatin Chaudhary and Rishab Kala have cranked the camera for the documentary. It has audiography by Tapas Nayak and the art department in the documentary is handled by Prakash Kanakanayakam.
About the Poster
On Saturday, July 2, 2022, the filmmaker took to her twitter account and shared the news of the launch of her documentary film Kaali at Aga Khan Music, Canada, as part of its “Rhythms of Canada”.
Along with sharing the news of launch, she also posted the poster of her documentary film which features a woman dressed up as Hindu goddess Kaali, holding the LGBTQ+ flag and smoking a cigarette.
Super thrilled to share the launch of my recent film – today at @AgaKhanMuseum as part of its “Rhythms of Canada”
Link: https://t.co/RAQimMt7Ln
I made this performance doc as a cohort of https://t.co/D5ywx1Y7Wu@YorkuAMPD @TorontoMet @YorkUFGS
Feeling pumped with my CREW❤️ pic.twitter.com/L8LDDnctC9
— லீனா மணிமேகலை (@LeenaManimekali) July 2, 2022
What is the Controversy ?
As soon as the poster went viral, it created a furore on social media for hurting religious sentiments of Hindus. Netizens started slamming the filmmaker on social media for sharing the controversial poster and said that the objectionable poster showing Goddess Kaali smoking is a desperate strategy for provoking people’s sentiments.
The spokesperson of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, Vijay Goenka said that projection of Goddess Kaali this way hurt the sentiments of Indians as well as Hindus across the world.
Multiple FIRs has been registered in various part of the country against filmmaker Leena Manimekalai. Even the India High Commission in Canada has also asked the organisers of the events where the film was to be screened, to immediately take down the controversial poster.
The Filmmaker Responded to the Criticism
After facing huge criticism and outrage on social media, Kaali’s filmmaker Leena Manimekalai that as a poet and filmmaker she embodies Kaali in her own independent vision. She also issued a statement justifying the objectionable depiction of Kaali.
In the statements she said that there documentary film revolves around the events that take place on evening when Kaali appears and strolls the streets of Toronto. She further added that if you see the film, don’t put the hashtag “arrest Leena manimekalai” and put the hashtag “love you Leena manimekalai”.
ஒரு மாலைப்பொழுது, டோரோண்டோ மாநகரத்தில காளி தோன்றி வீதிகளில் உலா வரும்போது நடக்கிற சம்பவங்கள் தான் படம். படத்தைப்பார்த்தா “arrest leena manimekalai” hashtag போடாம “love you leena manimekalai” hashtag போடுவாங்க.✊🏽 https://t.co/W6GNp3TG6m
— லீனா மணிமேகலை (@LeenaManimekali) July 4, 2022
In another tweet she added, she has nothing to lose, she want to be with the voice that speaks without fear and if it costs her life, she will give it.
“எனக்கு இழப்பதற்கு ஒன்றுமில்லை. இருக்கும் வரை எதற்கும் அஞ்சாமல் நம்புவதைப் பேசும் குரலோடு இருந்துவிட விரும்புகிறேன். அதற்கு விலை என் உயிர் தான் என்றால் தரலாம்” https://t.co/fEU3sWY4HK
— லீனா மணிமேகலை (@LeenaManimekali) July 4, 2022
