‘Karnan’: The Social Commentary for Change

Abstract

Gender and caste are two prominent social phenomena that significantly impact people’s lives, opportunities, and social hierarchies in India. The Tamil film industry of late, has focused towards showcasing the strife between subaltern and dominant caste groups in the state of Tamil Nadu. Director Mari Selvaraj’s sophomore venture, ‘Karnan’ has got a raging review from different corners of the world for its portrayal of the casteism driven violence in a region in southern Tamil Nadu. It is said the story is based on a real-time atrocity done to the Dalits not by an upper caste but by an economically settled backward community in the year 1995. This article aims to analyses the cinematic representation of the complex relationship between gender and caste and the multifaceted nature of the intersectionality of both as a potential form of privilege and disadvantage for the individuals involved. As a true analysis, it would inform policymakers, activists, and academics about the specific challenges faced by individuals at the intersections of gender and caste, that more inclusive and targeted interventions fostering social cohesion and equality may emerge within India or at the least in Tamil Nadu.