Dhanush’s character in Kuberaa has been described as one of the most well-written ones in recent years. By casting a beggar at the center of the story, writer-director Sekhar Kammula has tried to redefine new benchmarks for unconventional characterization. In this section, TFN gives you a glimpse of other such characters in both Indian and foreign cinema.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) featured several child beggars, highlighting the harsh realities of poverty in Indian slums. The movie, based on an Indian novel, was seen as a stereotypical depiction of India by many critics. However, the impact of the film remains strong.
Charlie Chaplin as The Tramp in many films (1910s–1930s) is considered the most iconic vagrant in film history. The character often found himself “navigating the harsh realities of poverty, unemployment, and the dehumanizing effects of industrialization”.
Time Out of Mind (2014): Richard Gere’s realistic portrayal of a mentally ill homeless man wandering the streets of New York earned critical acclaim.
In Indian cinema, Pichaikaran (2016, Tamil) is well-known. Dubbed into Telugu as Bicchagadu, this film explores the theme of begging through the eyes of a rich man who takes to seeking alms to ‘save’ his ailing mother.
Traffic Signal (2007) was a Hindi movie inspired by real-life situations. It portrays the lives of beggars and other marginalized individuals at a Mumbai traffic signal.
Naan Kadavul (2009, Tamil): This film delves into the harsh realities of the begging underworld, focusing on characters who are forced into begging.
Bloody Beggar (2024, Tamil): This recent film features a titular beggar character (played by Kavin) who is not a typical portrayal.
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