Cinema VinesOn Wednesday, the Music Academy in Chennai hosted a grand ceremony to launch a pan‑India biopic celebrating the 110th birth anniversary of the legendary Carnatic vocalist M S Subbulakshmi. The event drew family members, eminent musicians, and film industry dignitaries, all gathered to honour the singer’s enduring legacy. Tamil film icon Kamal Haasan delivered a moving tribute, noting that Subbulakshmi’s voice “united India, especially South India,” and praised her for elevating every language she sang in—Sanskrit, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and more.
During his remarks, Kamal Haasan reflected on the profound influence of Subbulakshmi’s music, recalling how the “Suprabhatam, Lalitha Sahasranamam, or Rangapura Vihara” bring him peace and joy. He also highlighted that even Mahatma Gandhi admired her work. The actor extended congratulations to producers Allu Aravind, Rockline Venkatesh, and Bunny Vas for undertaking the film, describing it as a “truly special film” in their production journey.
The biopic, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Gowtam Tinnanuri, stars Rashmika Mandanna as Subbulakshmi and features music by Anirudh Ravichander. Tinnanuri explained that the project began with the intention of portraying the singer as India’s greatest musical legend, but research revealed a richer narrative: a daughter, an artist, a woman who dreamed, endured triumphs and setbacks, and made countless sacrifices. He emphasized that the film seeks to showcase the woman behind the legend, underscoring the values of discipline, patience, and dedication that earned Subbulakshmi her Bharat Ratna and timeless acclaim.
Rashmika Mandanna expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, stating she felt “immensely proud and honoured” to portray Subbulakshmi’s extraordinary life journey. The launch event, held at the iconic Music Academy, marked a significant moment in celebrating one of India’s most revered voices and the cinematic effort to bring her story to a new generation.
