The team of the upcoming Tamil film Thatrom Thookrom has released a new single titled Demonetisation Anthem, and it is anything but flattering.
Sung by actor Silambarasan and with words that sting by Kabilan Vairamuthu, the song lashes out at government’s decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on the night of November 8, 2016.
Silambarasan sings about the shock to which the nation was subjected. The video features news footage from the days following the announcement of the note ban. Images of long queues outside ATMs are contrasted with an animated sequence that alludes to a certain “King of Good Times” as being among those who were unaffected by the move. “Mala malayaa mosam senja moothevinga foreigntha poyachu” (Those who cheated and swindled in crores have left for foreign shores), the lyrics state. The catchy chorus “No Cash” is followed by the words “Let’s live by swiping the card, let’s celebrate by not asking any questions.”
The video also does not gloss over the fact that actors such as Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan had praised the prime minister’s decision a year ago. (Haasan has since apologised for his support.) “What the poor have is red money, one that they have carefully saved over the years,” goes the chorus. “You wanted to save the nation. Then go catch the goons dressed in coats.”
The Goods and Services tax too isn’t spared either. “All of us stood in the queue religiously but just when we thought the worst was over, there came GST.”
