Amaran, the Sivakarthikeyan-starrer biopic on Major Mukund Varadarajan, was released on October 31 and has since sparked both appreciation and controversy. Directed by Rajkumar Periasamy, the film focuses on the life and legacy of Major Mukund, a Tamilian soldier and Ashoka Chakra awardee who sacrificed his life for the nation. However, a section of the audience criticized the film for not highlighting Major Mukund’s Brahmin identity.At a success meet held in Chennai on November 4, director Rajkumar Periasamy addressed the controversy, sharing insights into requests made by Major Mukundâs family. He revealed that the soldierâs wife, Indhu Rebecca Varghese, had only one request: that Mukundâs character be portrayed by someone with strong Tamil roots. “She wanted a true Tamilian, which led us to Sivakarthikeyan. His presence and Tamil identity added an authentic layer to Mukund’s story,” said Rajkumar, noting that the actorâs rendition of Achamillai Achamillai, a famous Bharathiyar song, was a high point.
The director went on to share that Mukundâs parents, Varadarajan and Geetha, also had specific wishes regarding their sonâs portrayal. “Mukund always identified as an Indian and a Tamilian. He never wanted any other identity, even in his official documents. His parents asked that we honor his commitment to those identities alone in the film,” explained Rajkumar. This decision, he said, was made to respect Mukundâs views and his familyâs wishes.
The event also witnessed an emotional moment as Sivakarthikeyan shared his deep connection with the character. Reflecting on his father, Doss, a police officer who also lost his life while on duty, Sivakarthikeyan said portraying Major Mukund felt like fulfilling his lifelong wish to honor his fatherâs bravery. “I see similarities between my father and Major Mukund. This role allowed me to pay homage to his dedication,” he said, visibly moved.
Sivakarthikeyanâs emotional speech quickly gained attention on social media, with fans praising him for his heartfelt tribute. The actorâs words about his father resonated strongly, drawing cheers and support from the crowd.
As Amaran continues to perform well at the box office, the film has also sparked meaningful discussions on representation, identity, and legacy.