By Vivek S
Legendragod
Tamil Nadu is not new to having a person from the film industry sitting on the chair of the most responsible servant of the state – the chair of the Chief Minister. But people often forget that they are the owners of the house, except when of course… it is election time!
With the demise of former CM of Tamil Nadu J.Jayalalitha, called PuratchiThalaivi Amma by her followers, a huge political vacuum has been created on the political grounds of Tamil Nadu; a state in India. (Got to say that now and then to avoid being forgotten). Former CM “Kalaignar” Karunanidhi is also not active owing to his old age. So naturally, since old habits die hard, we - the media of Tamil Nadu is looking towards the glamorous film industry where “heroes” are beyond the screen that is supposed to differentiate between the reel and real.
On the last day of the year 2017, “Superstar” Rajinikanth finally announced that he would be one of the contenders for the seat of the servant. The word ‘finally’ which used in the above sentence should be noted, because the question of whether Rajini would join politics or not has been a question since 1996 when he came upfront against “Amma” Jayalalitha (AIADMK), which essentially means in support of “Kalaignar” Karunanidhi.
2017 witnessed many new faces in the political waters (not a single educated youngster yet again, definitely not so much spotlight), which includes those from the film industry as well like “Ulaganaayagan” Kamal Hassan and “PuratchiThalapathi” Vishal and other fancy names, but the announcement of Superstar Rajinikanth’s is definitely the highlight by all means.
Tamil cinema has been at war with Tamil Nadu politics for decades now, and politics always trumps art. Power corrupts art, politics makes films propaganda tools. This is true irrespective of demographics and nations. We saw that in the 1940’s under Nazi Germany. Bless them, for we still got to see this in Tamil Nadu in 2010’s (that is 7 decades later).
“PuratchiThalaivar” MGR started this. At least he was clean with his thoughts, he was very public ‘bout the fact that his films are propaganda tools for his political ideologies and people expecting art should find them somewhere else.
But now, most of the A-list star’s films suffer from dementia. It doesn’t know what it is, whether a propaganda tool or art. Thanks to those actors who want to play safe as well as test the political waters and producers who want to cash in on frenzy fans who forget that films are a service to which they got to pay to, not some random philanthropy.
The question of whether is it fair for an actor and actress to mobilize support through their stardom for political gain is a debate which doesn’t find light, however legally it is allowed, and that’s all that matters in reality. In a country which is so deeply drenched in extremely immoral deeds while being illegal, do you think they would give two shits about morality when it is legal?
The truth is that it doesn’t matter what religion the servant follows, which caste, community, and background he’s from, which language he speaks, and what his previous job was, as long he can understand the needs of the master, the people, and keeps the house clean and makes improvements to it, it is fair!
At the same time, it is important to note that reality is a far cry from utopia and our servants are very much our masters in this treacherous reality. A change needs a stimulus, and that stimulus is your leader, but the change comes from within us – the people. The democratic election is a wonderful opportunity for us to choose the best stimuli, so it is important we choose the one that gives us the best results, not by itself but through us, by evoking a change in us.
Just like how you choose the best food, the best clothes, and the best books when you have the choice in your hands, and since you know the pain of knowing what being barred of choice feels like, go search and find the right stimuli who might be in your area, in your street, maybe even within your family or maybe within yourself too, and then vote for them.
After all, the choice for change is at the tip of your finger – literally!
Nice article... Does the writer oppose Rajinikanth's political entry?
ReplyDeleteMajor south people are fascinated much by the scenes, action and dialogue delivery of actors.... Nevertheless, CINEMA being treated more than an entertainment and moreover it has treated like a part of their life. By this they ignore reality aspects and look forward someone who create magic (a wizard).....
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