So Rajini's Kuselan, his latest blockbuster-to-be is set to hit the silverscreens this weekend worldwide... Needless to say the dude is an acknowledged larger-than-life Superstar and his movies are what Kodambakkam producers regard as the closest thing to a "minimum guarantee" in terms of return on investment in an industry that is not necessarily known for it.
His screen charisma aside, what intrigues me about Rajini is his personality off-screen and the bunch of contradictions his overall persona effuses. Despite his massive fan-base, the guy has spurned many a chance and enticements to enter TN politics, for reasons best known to him. A self-acclaimed theist and spiritualist, he seems to fall back on his religious beliefs when he says he does not get any kick out of politics. He however likes to leave all doors open with punch-line screen pronouncements like these - "nethu naan conductor, inniku naan nadigan, nallaikku naan yaaro?" (yesterday I was a coductor, today I am an actor, who knows what I will be tomorrow?). He says money does not thrill him either, but is continuing to collect more in terms of salary than any actor in the history of South Asia, and is continuing to beat his own salary records with every new film. He says he diets and meditates to maintain his "ilamai" or youth (never mind the role of the make-up man) but continues to smoke in private and on the screen (when political parties don't object). He has undescribable level of public appeal (especially with kids), but instead chooses to retreat to the himalayas every year to visit his spiritual gurus. He is probably the only star who thinks nationally on river-water issues (thank god!) in an industry dominated by stars known for their tamil-centric chest-beating. He portrays great screen courage and valor (even stops bullets with his eyeballs) but in real life buckles to local politicians when they attack his political stances (he "apologized" today to Kannada activists for his pro-TN stance on the hogenakkal issue - so that he can get his Kuselan released in Bengaluru!). That is about all I can think of when I come to think of the man's confusing personality. Does anyone who knows him better explain to us laymen please?
2 comments:
You are trying to compare apple and artificial apple. Cinema is artificial...everybody knows no one can stop bullet with human body parts...but you enjoy it when its shown on the screen. Coming to his apology issue...I personally feel he shouldn't have apologized, by do so he is indirectly sending (1) that he has hurt Kannadigas (2) TN people might think still he has soft corner to Karnataka and hence may have to justify strongly if he enters politics.
good post dude..
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