How Tamil Actor M.R. Radha Faced Legal Action Over a Banned Play in 1959

Prominent Tamil actor M.R. Radha faced a police case in 1959 for staging a banned play. In April 1959, the Madras government banned his popular play titled 'Thookku Medai' on grounds that it offended religious sentiments and contained objectionable material.

To circumvent the ban, M.R. Radha submitted the script of another play named 'Kadal Bali' to the Madras Police Commissioner and successfully obtained a performance licence. On July 19, 1959, the play was staged at the Thiagarajar College Open Air Theatre in Washermanpet.

However, the police noticed that the play performed on stage closely resembled the banned 'Thookku Medai' rather than the approved script. Consequently, a case was registered against him.

The case was heard by the Second Presidency Magistrate in George Town, who convicted M.R. Radha under the 'Madras Dramatic Performances Act, 1954'. The magistrate imposed a fine of Rs 200, specifying three weeks of imprisonment in default of payment. M.R. Radha subsequently appealed the conviction in the Madras High Court.