Veerappan's wife pens biography on slain brigand

Chennai, Feb 27 (UNI) Slain forest brigand Veerappan's wife Muthulakshmi is penning the biography of her 'in'famous husband -- hoping to bring 'his other side' to light.

''As a wife, only I know the true and complete story of Veerappan. So, I decided to embark on the mission myself,'' she told UNI.

The biography would dwell at length on their romance and marital life particularly on the days spent together in the dense forests while on the run.

Muthulakshmi married the fugitive in 1991 and their first daughter, Vidyarani, was reportedly born in the forest the next year. However, their conjugal life suffered a break when she was arrested by police in the forest in 1993.

''I am almost through with the work and it will be completed in another 15 to 20 days. After publishing the book, I am also planning to document my husband's life on a TV serial or a film,'' she said.

Muthulakshmi, however, has not decided on the title for the biography. It could be 'The Story of Veerappan and Muthulakshmi,' she said in an afterthought.

The bandit, who kept the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala on toes for several decades, was shot dead in an encounter in Satyamangalam Forest on Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border on October 18, 2004.

Refuting media reports that she had agreed to play the real life role in a Kannada film on Veerappan, the mother of two said she would file a defamation suit against Kannada Director A M R Ramesh for spreading such ''mischievous and false news.'' She claimed the director offered her a role in the film for a fee of Rs 50,000. But she turned it down.

''He wants to exploit my husband's name for fame and money. I will not tolerate if anyone attempts to show my husband in poor light,'' she said.

Muthulakshmi recently moved a city court to restrain a private television channel from telecasting a serial on the slain brigand.

The serial could damage and tarnish the image, name, identity and interpretation of Veerappan. Besides, it would also affect the studies and future of her children and they would be consequently put to irreparable loss and hardships, she contended.

UNI