CinemaNational and Dravidian movements

Thyaga Bhoomi released and banned

· Chennai

Thyaga Bhoomi, K. Subramanyam's nationalist film adapted from a Kalki story, was banned by the British administration after release.

K. Subramanyam directed Thyaga Bhoomi from a Kalki Krishnamurthy story first serialised in Ananda Vikatan. The film, which celebrated Mahatma Gandhi and his ideals, opened on 20 May 1939. The Congress ministry resigned in protest at India being drawn into the Second World War, and the Governor of Madras then banned the picture. By the time the ban took effect the film had already proved a hit, and it is said to be the only Indian film the British government banned after release.

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