Anant Mahadevan on 'The Confession of Mary': A Duty to Stay Honest to Real Lives
Anant Mahadevan talks about his film 'The Confession of Mary', based on the 1966 Madatharuvi case, and his commitment to honest storytelling.
Director Anant Mahadevan has spoken about his upcoming film, The Confession of Mary, which draws from a real incident in Kerala in 1966, widely referred to as the Madatharuvi case. The case involved the arrest and trial of a Catholic priest, Father Benedict Onamkulam, in connection with the murder of a widow named Mariyakutty.
Mahadevan emphasised his commitment to portraying real people and events with honesty and realism. "I have a basic duty towards that man not to distort him, not to exaggerate him," he said, explaining that whether he is making a biopic or recounting an incident, he strives to keep the narrative as true and realistic as possible. This approach, he added, leaves him unafraid of criticism.
The director referenced his last film, Phule, which faced controversy upon release. "I gave answers to all the people. Because I had answers, I had research material," he noted. He acknowledged that while dramatisation is inevitable, the core remains grounded in truth. "We have dramatised the truth," he said.
Producer Subhash Kale expressed delight over the film's world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, calling it a "tremendous milestone." He praised Nana Patekar's performance as "extraordinary" and credited Mahadevan for assembling a cast of seasoned theatre veterans. "When the subject came to Anant-ji, he carefully examined the character sketches and cast each role accordingly," Kale added.
The screening of The Confession of Mary is scheduled for September 9.