Indian Mythology and Tamil Cinema Quiz

In the 2005 Tamil film 'Mayavi', Surya portrayed the character named Balayya. The film was a comedy entertainer where Surya played the lead role. Option A correctly identifies his character name from this film.

In the 1999 Tamil film 'Friends', Surya played the character named Chandru. The film was a comedy-drama starring Surya and Vijay in lead roles. Option D correctly identifies Surya's character name from this film.

In the 2006 Tamil romantic drama 'Sillunu Oru Kaadhal', Surya portrayed the character named Gautham. The film featured Surya and Jyothika in lead roles and was directed by Krishna. Option B correctly identifies his character name from this film.

In the Tamil film 'Unnai Ninaithu' (2001), Surya played a character named Surya, which is his real name. The film was a romantic drama featuring Surya in the lead role. Option D is correct as his character name matched his actual name in this film.

Ravi K. Chandran was the cinematographer for Kamal Haasan's ambitious but unfinished project 'Marudhanayagam.' The film was launched with great fanfare in the late 1990s but was shelved due to various reasons. Option A correctly identifies Ravi K. Chandran as the camera man for this project.

Radha did not dub for herself in the 1985 film 'Muthal Mariyadhai', which made her ineligible for the National Award. The dubbing was done by actress Radhika, who was a well-known star in Tamil cinema at the time. This incident highlights the importance of dubbing in award considerations.

Mani Ratnam initially considered Karthi, Surya's younger brother, for the role that eventually went to Siddharth in 'Ayutha Ezhuthu' (2004). This was before Karthi made his acting debut, which came later with 'Paruthiveeran' (2007). Vivek Oberoi played the same role in the Hindi version 'Yuva'.

Prabhu Deva made his first screen appearance as a child dancer in 'Agni Natchathiram' (1988), directed by Mani Ratnam. Though his first film as a lead actor came later with 'Indhayam' (1991), his screen presence was noted in this earlier appearance. His father was the legendary choreographer Mugur Sundar.

According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas spent their 13th year of exile in disguise (Agyat Vaas) in the Matsya kingdom. King Virata ruled Matsya and sheltered them during this year. Yudhishthira served as a court counselor, Arjuna as a eunuch dance teacher, and the others in various disguises. This period culminated in the Matsya alliance in the Kurukshetra war.

Bhima killed Jarasandha in a wrestling match as part of Krishna's strategy to eliminate the powerful Magadha emperor before the Kurukshetra war. The duel lasted 27 days according to the Mahabharata, and Bhima ultimately defeated Jarasandha by splitting his body apart, exploiting a boon Jarasandha had received about his invincibility.

Shalya was the maternal uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva, being the brother of their mother Madri. Despite this familial connection, he was tricked into fighting for the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war. Duryodhana had sought Shalya's support, and Shalya had to honor his promise. He eventually became the Kaurava commander after Karna's death.

Jayadratha was the king of the Sindhu kingdom in the Mahabharata. He married Dushala, the only sister of the 100 Kaurava brothers. He played a significant role in the Kurukshetra war, particularly in the Abhimanyu incident, and was later killed by Arjuna to avenge his son's death.

Lord Shiva took the form of a hunter (Kirata) and defeated Arjuna in combat. This incident occurred when Arjuna was performing penance to obtain divine weapons. Impressed by Arjuna's valor, Shiva then blessed him with the Pashupatastra, one of the most powerful weapons in the Mahabharata.

Yudhishthira was born to Kunti through her invocation of Yama (Dharma), the god of death and justice, making Yama his spiritual father. This is why Yudhishthira was also known as Dharmaputra (son of Dharma) and was renowned for his adherence to truth and righteousness. The other options are fathers of other Pandavas: Indra (Arjuna), Surya (Karna), and Vayu (Bhima).

King Shantanu had three sons: Bhishma (Devavrata), Chitrangada, and Vichitravirya. Dhritarashtra was born much later to Queen Ambika (Vichitravirya's widow) through Sage Vyasa under the Niyoga practice, making him Shantanu's grandson, not his son. Chitrangada and Vichitravirya were both biological sons of Shantanu, while Bhishma was his son through Ganga.

Sage Durvasa, known for his short temper but powerful boons, taught young Kunti a mantra that enabled her to summon any deva (god) and have children by them. She used this mantra first to test it on Surya, resulting in Karna's birth. Later, she used it to have Pandu's five sons from different deities.

During Yudhishthira's Rajasuya Yagna, Shishupala insulted Krishna repeatedly, and Krishna ultimately killed him with his Sudarshana Chakra. This fulfilled a boon that Shishupala could not be killed unless he committed 100 sins, and Krishna pardoned him 99 times before striking him down on the 100th offense.