G Venkateswaran, the elder brother of Tamil producer and filmmaker Mani Ratnam, popularly known as GV, died by suicide at his residence on May 3, 2003 due to high debt burden. His death showed the ugly side of the Tamil film industry where producers are often under pressure due to heavy financial burden due to losses in films. Recently, producer and distributor KT Kunjuman revealed that Jivi didn’t get help from the people whom he made a star during his tough times.
Kunjuman also revealed that GV had requested him to buy the distribution rights of Mani Ratnam’s 1987 film Nayagan, starring Kamal Haasan. He revealed that he suffered a loss of Rs 50,000 after opting to distribute the film in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Speaking at the audio launch ceremony of Tamil film Kadala Poda Oru Ponnu Venum, Kunjumon said that today, there would hardly be anyone who would be aware of GV’s name, but there was a time when his stature was remarkable. According to Kunjuman, Jivi produced only 8 films in his career but always put in a lot of effort for every aspect of the film.
GV produced the film Maun Ragam in 1986. Initially, Jivi started the production company Sujata Films in the name of his wife. Sujatha films bankrolled Nayagan and its Hindi remake Dayavan. While the Hindi version of the film was a box office success, the original Tamil film failed to attract audiences to theatres, but was critically acclaimed. In 1990 the name of the production company was changed from Sujatha to GV Films. Anjali, directed by Mani Ratnam, was bankrolled by GV Films. After this GV Films again produced Mani Ratnam’s Thalapathy.
Based on the success of these films, GV also thought of bringing Michael Jackson to India. Big arrangements were made for the show in Mumbai and Chennai. Somehow the plans did not materialise.
This race for success broke with the film Maadham in May 1994. This was followed by another unsuccessful film Indira. These two setbacks dampened GV’s courage and he refrained from producing films. After settling all the debts in 2002, he made a comeback with the film Thamizhan, which failed to do magic at the box office. These setbacks were too much for Jivi and he died by suicide in 2003 after failing to repay the loan. GV had earlier said that his creditors were threatening him.
According to reports, film piracy was a major reason for many big films to flop at the box office during that period.
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