The first star of Tamil cinema to dine on gold plates weighing 110 kings; He spent 30 months in prison for the “murder” of a journalist; He later walked free tamil news

Just imagine; Although Tamil cinema witnessed the arrival and rise of many stars like M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Rajinikanth, and Kamal Haasan in later eras, it took nearly 59 years for this feat to be broken. This highlights the kind of impact he had in Tamil Nadu, even though his career was short and ended scandalously and tragically. In a way, it can be said that MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar – known by his initials as MKT – was the most famous and notorious star of the early years of Indian cinema. And if reports and rumours are to be believed, Dulquer Salmaan’s Kaantha is loosely inspired by MKT’s life.

Who was MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar?

In a series about MKT written by legendary film historian Randor Jay HinduIt may be noted that the actor and singer was born into a family of struggling goldsmiths in Trichy on March 1, 1910. Thiagarajan showed exceptional talent for singing from a young age and soon caught the attention of the locals, which eventually paved the way for his entry into the world of theatre. He also received formal training in Carnatic music and was honored with the title of ‘Bhagavathar“By one of his teachers.

MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar was born into a family of struggling goldsmiths. (Credit: X/@NFAIOfficial)

When his widely successful play Pavalakkodi was made into a film in 1934, the filmmakers did not have to think twice before casting MKT. Thus, he and his famous theater partner SD Subbulakshmi made their debut in the film. Pavalakudi, which had as many as 50 songs, became a sensation. MKT and Subbulakshmi collaborated with Pavalakkodi director K Subramaniam again and produced Naveena Sarangadhara (1936), which also did well. From the hugely successful Chintamani (1937) to Ambikapathi (1937), Thiruneelakantar (1940), Ashok Kumar (1941), and Sivakavi (1943), MKT turned everything he touched into gold. While MKT’s rise was astonishing and extraordinary, its fall was even more impactful and shocking.

Lakshmikanthan murder case

At the peak of his career, MKT found himself involved in a highly publicized murder case and was imprisoned for several months. Thus the Lakshmikanthan case remains a controversial chapter in Chennai’s history. Described by film historian Randor Jay as a “notorious yellow journalist”, CN Lakshmikanthan often wrote about the private lives of film stars and other notable individuals in his publications, Thoto Cinema and Hindu Nendu. According to a chapter focusing on the Lakshmikanthan case in the book by famous author J.R. Indugopan Murder in Madrasthe self-proclaimed journalist was imprisoned in Andaman Jail from 1932 to 1939 on charges of fraud using forged documents. Once he was released from prison, he began targeting wealthy people in the city. Using basic information gathered from their hunt, he fabricated stories. He then approached the same wealthy victims, threatening them and extorting money. Stories linking rich people with women seemed to have the greatest market appeal until then.

Although the then Governor of Madras Arthur Oswald James Hope revoked the licence Thoto Cinema At the request of actresses and other prominent figures in the film industry, Lakshmikanthan responded with a launch Hindu Nendu. This time, his main targets were MKT, comedian NS Krishnan, and director-producer SM Sriramulu Naidu. Lakshmikanthan often wrote gossip stories linking MKT with his co-star MR Santhanalakshmi. Thus he became a major nuisance to the film industry.

On October 19, 1944, while Lakshmikanthan was returning home, a man named Vadivelu stabbed him in the neck, wounding him. Nagalingam, proofreader at Hindu Nendu With whom he disagreed, Lakshmikanthan was the apparent mastermind behind the crime. Fortunately, the injury was not fatal, so the police also did not take the case seriously. Less than a month later, he was attacked again; But this time, luck was not on Lakshmikanthan’s side.

On November 8, while he was leaving his lawyer’s house after discussing the case against Nagalingam and Vadivelu, the duo stopped Lakshmikanthan and stabbed him again, this time in the stomach. He was quickly taken to hospital, but his condition worsened, which ultimately led to his death in the early hours of the next day. After his death, both Nagalingam and Vadivelu were arrested. According to a report in Indian Express On November 10 that year, on his way to the hospital, Lakshmikanthan, 50, stopped at Vypri police station and lodged a complaint.

“MKT promised Rs 2,500 to kill Lakshmikanthan”

The police soon got a message discussing the news of Lakshmikanthan’s “elimination”. The sender and recipient were identified. They testified that MKT, Krishnan and Naidu were involved in the murder and that it was their trusted accomplice who carried out the act. The police identified one Jayanandan, who allegedly fled the scene of the murder. He was actress Madhuri’s brother and held a grudge against Lakshmikanthan because he wrote unjustified things about his sister.

The prosecution made Jayanandan agree, and he testified that MKT and Krishnan assured him money for the murder of Lakshmikanthan and for the subsequent trial. He claimed that he met MKT and Krishnan once, where the star promised him Rs 2,500 once the deed was done. On 27 December 1944, MKT was publicly arrested, two months after the release of his film Haridas. Krishnan was soon arrested. Although they were initially granted bail, the court revoked it after a few weeks.

MKT, NS Krishnan get life imprisonment

In court, the defamatory articles published by Lakshmikanthan against MKT and Krishnan, the knife used to stab him, the autopsy report and Bhagavathar’s ledger which indicated that he had paid money to several accused were presented as evidence. While Naidu was acquitted, MKT and Krishnan were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Madras High Court on 3 May 1945. Although they filed an appeal, it was of no avail. As a result, they were imprisoned and spent 30 months in prison.

Thyagaraja Bhagavathar with Pasupuleti Kannamba in Ashok Kumar’s film. (Credit: X/NFAIOfficial)

He was a philanthropist and never hesitated to make donations to charitable causes, and a large section of his fans and the Tamil population believed that MKT was innocent. Even while in prison, he maintained the “it’s all part of my destiny” attitude. However, Krishnan’s wife, actress V. A. Madhuram, continued to pursue the case, and eventually the Madras High Court took up the case for hearing again. But this time the opposite happened. The defendant’s lawyer skillfully succeeded in discrediting the prosecution’s witnesses. Given the weak basis of the prosecution’s evidence, the court ordered their release, and MKT and Krishnan were finally released.

MKT’s release from prison, fall and death

Before his release from prison in 1947, the star had already signed dozens of films. However, he was never able to recreate the magic of the pre-controversy era. Films like Raja Mukthi (1948), Shyamala, Amarakavi, and Budhu Vaasvu failed to make a significant impact at the box office. Even his last film, Sivagami (1960) – in which he played the lead role himself and was released posthumously – did not attract large crowds as his earlier works did.

Although he lost a significant amount of money during the trial, MKT’s assets still exceed those losses. According to Indujoban’s book, he was the first Tamil film professional to own a Mercedes Benz. Besides, he ate his meals at home on two gold plates, each weighing 110 Pavan (Kings). At today’s prices, the value of one painting alone is approximately 98 thousand rupees. Although his acting career almost ended with Pudhu Vazhvu, and he never got a release in his life after that, he continued to impress audiences as a singer.

MKT breathed his last on November 1, 1959. During his final days, he suffered from high blood pressure and severe diabetes. Despite six decades since his death, the name of MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar still shines brightly in the history of both Tamil and Madras cinema.