Maamannan released on Netflix on July 27th

Fahad Faasil's performance receives wide appreciation

Reels have recast the antagonist as a noble man

Fahad Faasil played the role of Rathnavel in the Mani Selvaraj directorial, Maamannan. The film was released on July 27th on Netflix. Fahad’s performance as the caste pride obsessed chauvinist has received wide appreciation from the audience. He played the character with such intensity and precision that some have even become sympathetic towards the antagonist. Mari Selvaraj, the director of the film is renowned for making films that drive home the point of empowerment of the oppressed castes. Although the antagonists usually do make a mark, such as the “Thatha” character in “Pariyerum Perumal” played by  Karate Venkatesan and the character of “SP Kannabiraman” played by Natrajan Subramanium in “Karnan”, they did not occupy the amount of screen time which “Rathnavel” played by Fahd Faasil did nor were they as central to the plot of the film. 

Reels in which people have cast the character of Rathnavel as a genuine leader of the people, a responsible son and have revised the story as a the rise to glory of the underdog Rathnavel have surfaced on the internet. While some see the funny side of it others are upset that a narrative in support of regressive casteists has emerged. Fahad had a similar effect with Kumbalangi Nights wherein a section of the audience began sympathising with the misogynistic character played by him. 

Ada Dey ! pic.twitter.com/Bwc39U8eMo

— Prashanth Rangaswamy (@itisprashanth) July 30, 2023