Director K. Subrahmanyam: A Biography

Director K. Subrahmanyam", as he was always known, was a lawyer turned pioneer of South Indian Cinema, a staunch Congressmen of the Gandhian vintage, a freedom fighter who risked his investment in films by advocating the cause of freedom in his films, a social activist who developed leftist learnings after independence, a "Star maker" and much more. His most renowned Tamil film Thyagabhoomi (1939) has the distinction of being the only Indian film banned by the colonial government for propagating the cause of the freedom struggle (through a story, which essentially advocated women’s emancipation). Since the film was banned only some weeks after its release and was a phenomenal success in attracting houseful shows, it is vividly remembered by the older generation of Tamils with great admiration. The Director’s genuine love and affection for whoever came in contact with him and his legendary hospitality as one who entertained a hundred humble people for lunch and dinner almost everyday, complete for attention with his stupendous creativity as a film director, when he is in focus during his birth centenary celebrations spanning 2004-05.