THE CLIFF NEWS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (September 8, 2025) paid rich tributes to music maestro and Bharat Ratna awardee Bhupen Hazarika on his 99th birth anniversary. Marking the beginning of his birth centenary celebrations, the Prime Minister described him as one of the most extraordinary voices India has ever known. In a heartfelt article shared on social media, Mr. Modi wrote that Bhupen Hazarika’s contributions went far beyond music. “What Bhupen Da gave us extends far beyond melody. He was the heartbeat of the people, and generations have grown up listening to his songs that spoke of kindness, social justice, unity, and belonging. His music flowed like a timeless river, crossing borders and cultures, carrying with it the spirit of humanity,” he said. The Prime Minister noted that while Hazarika travelled the world and engaged with eminent personalities across disciplines, he remained deeply rooted in Assam’s indigenous identity and culture. He highlighted that Hazarika’s intellectual curiosity took him from Cotton College to Banaras Hindu University and then to the United States, where he interacted with leading global thinkers, academics, and musicians. Recalling his meeting with American civil rights leader Paul Robeson, Mr. Modi said that Robeson’s iconic song Ol’ Man River inspired Hazarika’s celebrated Assamese composition Bistirno Parore. He also mentioned that former U.S. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt had awarded Hazarika a Gold Medal for his performances of Indian folk music. Mr. Modi observed that though Hazarika had the option of staying back in the U.S., he returned to India and immersed himself in music and cultural pursuits. From radio and theatre to films and documentaries, Hazarika worked across diverse mediums while mentoring young talent. His lyrical works often carried strong social messages, highlighting justice for the poor, rural development, and the power of ordinary citizens. Calling him a unifier, the Prime Minister said that the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat was reflected in Hazarika’s life and works, which transcended linguistic and regional boundaries. “He composed for films in Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi, making Assam visible and audible to the rest of India. It is no exaggeration to say that he helped shape the cultural identity of modern Assam,” he remarked. Remembering his brief political career, Mr. Modi pointed out that Hazarika was elected as an independent MLA from Nauboicha constituency in 1967, though he never pursued politics as a career. His passion for serving people, however, remained deeply impactful. The Prime Minister further highlighted the recognition that Hazarika received through numerous national honours, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. “In 2019, it was a matter of personal honour that our government conferred upon him the Bharat Ratna. People across India, especially from Assam and the Northeast, celebrated this recognition of his unmatched legacy,” Mr. Modi said. He concluded by saying that the Bharat Ratna for Bhupen Hazarika symbolised the very principles the artist cherished – that music, when grounded in truth, has the power to transcend all barriers.

It is never easy to watch celebrated filmmakers stumble, their signatures dulled, and their formulas losing magic. For nearly a decade after Kaththi, AR Murugadoss seemed to have lost touch with what once made him a master of emotional, high-stakes action dramas. With Madharaasi, however, he makes a strong comeback, delivering a film that is at once a gripping action saga and a character-driven study, anchored by Sivakarthikeyan’s most complex role yet. The film opens with a tense National Investigation Agency operation led by Prem (Biju Menon), who attempts to intercept illegal arms shipments. The villains, Virat (a terrifying Vidyut Jammwal) and his chief Chirag (Shabeer Kallarakkal), escape and stash the weapons in Ambattur. As Prem recovers from injuries, fate brings him face-to-face with Raghu Ram (Sivakarthikeyan), a peculiar man with a death wish, heartbroken over his separation from Malathi (Rukmini Vasanth). What begins as comic and even caricaturish soon transforms into a layered narrative. Raghu’s quirks mask deep emotional scars, and Murugadoss crafts him as an empath in a world that rewards apathy. Through Raghu, the film explores themes of social conditioning, mental health, and empathy, while never losing sight of its masala cinema roots. Songs like the “Salambala” introduction track initially jar, but later find narrative justification. The first half is excellent—tight, emotional, and suspenseful. The second half sustains its momentum with superb action choreography, Anirudh Ravichander’s rousing score, and razor-sharp editing by A. Sreekar Prasad. Only in the final act does Murugadoss slip into old hero-worship habits, recycling tropes from Thuppakki and Kaththi with less impact. Still, the menace of Vidyut Jammwal’s villainy and Sivakarthikeyan’s commanding performance carry the film. Sivakarthikeyan’s Raghu is the film’s heart and engine. He oscillates between guardian angel, empath, nuisance, and death-bringer with seamless ease, giving Murugadoss the emotional anchor his recent films sorely lacked. Rukmini Vasanth too shines in a role that is more than ornamental. In an era where action spectacles often forget the importance of pathos, Madharaasi reminds us how emotional undercurrents can elevate mass cinema. Murugadoss also grounds his action in a real-world issue — the dangers of gun culture — making his film both entertaining and urgent. Despite its flawed climax, Madharaasi is a stirring return to form, proving that AR Murugadoss can still marry spectacle with soul. Verdict: A flawed but forceful comeback for AR Murugadoss, powered by Sivakarthikeyan’s best performance yet.