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Finding Nadar: Rajinikanth's real-life inspiration

Thiraviam Nadar, a native of Umarikadu village in Tamil Nadu's Thirunelveli district, came to Mumbai circa 1954

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Jawahar Nadar (right) with Selvakumar, a firecracker shop owner in Dharavi, who is still devoted to the Nadar family. Pic/Suresh Karkera

Jawahar Nadar (right) with Selvakumar, a firecracker shop owner in Dharavi, who is still devoted to the Nadar family. Pic/Suresh Karkera

On 90 Feet Road in Dharavi, towering over the hutments and buildings around it, stands Kamarajar Memorial English High School. The rain has taken a break on Friday afternoon, and it's business as usual in the area. Jawahar Nadar is waiting for us at the gate. The 41-year-old journalist is better known these days as the man who has sued Rajinikanth. The defamation case worth '101cr that was fought in the Chennai High Court last week, has Jawahar claiming that Rajini's latest release, Kaala, is based on the life of Nadar's father, Thiraviam Nadar, which the makers have refused to acknowledge. Jawahar, as he has repeatedly stated in court and in the media, is not after money or royalties. All he wants is a mention of his father's name [in the credits], to give the man, an erstwhile Godfather of Dharavi, his due recognition.

Transit Camp Road, Dharavi. It’s in this area where Thiraviam Nadar built his first home, after coming to Mumbai in the 1950s. It used to be a marshy land then, with very few houses. His molasses shop was also nearby. No trace of Nadar's home or shop remains today owing to several rounds of redevelopment the area witnessed over decades. Pic/Suresh Karkera

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