Born Maharashtrian in 1949 as Shivaji Rao, currently the ultimate in every department of cinema of South India, which is the ultimate of cinema in India, which is the ultimate of cinema worldwide in quantity; the quality of all of which is not the point here
I saw clips of Rajinikanth's ten greatest films on TV. I doubt any actor anywhere has demanded and received from the audience such complete suspension of disbelief. Rajnikanth deserves kudos. He has dissolved my resistance, and I most willingly hand them to him.
I had several interactions with his brother-in-law, actor Y.G. Mahendra, his mother-in law, Mrs. Y.G. Parthasarthy during discussions or judging of musical theatre or cinema seminars, and his wife, Latha, when she had recently married Rajinikanth, and then when she had her first child, which facts have no consequence now, and are being mentioned only in passing. The main thing is that Rajinikant, in his movies, makes me laugh as he did before; earlier in derision, now in admiration.
I can watch him keenly and be amused now, instead of walking away unbelieving that others could not only watch him again and again, but applauded unstoppably.
Some of Rajini's signature dialogues:
On the lighter side, there are jokes a-plenty among NRIs, especially in the States and UK, on Rajinikanth's film feats. Here is one:
The great scientist Isaac Newton saw Rajinikanth's film. He returned home dejected, wondering if all his laws of physics were wrong. He went back to his laboratory blackboard to re-check his research. He found no error there. So he went to another Rajinikanth movie, and the same thing happened. Finally he was convinced that he was wrong - that the laws which he had founded were in error, since Rajinikanth, in scene after scene, film after film, defied them so convincingly. In despair, he committed suicide. This was followed by mass suicide of thinkers in science and philosophy, for the same reason.
I am sure that there are many such jokes, but they all show admiration for the power of Rajini's performances: it isn't his feats which are in doubt, but Reason itself which is erroneous and challengeable, even if only by one person.
I crossed paths with him in airports in the seventies, when invariably there would be fracas, police, even possible arrest because of his disorderly and callous behaviour. He is much mellowed, and a calm, modest man. He has not allowed his physique to get bloated. Now we exchange glances, and greetings at the most, in late hours at some restaurants. Anyway, I have become fond of him in his autumnal years.
5 comments:
Strictly speaking im not a fan but i do nurse a soft spot for the actor so your gentle piece was a pleasure to read. Thank you.
i wonder about his having mellowed over the years. His success isnt quite the mellowness inducing type, so how did it happen?
Writings on him mention his spirituality. Other public figures too are known to have 'spiritual' connections with men and women of god. It would be good to see a few more of them display 'spirituality' key (aisey positive) side effects.
I am glad you wrote about Issac Newton's suicide joke. I will send it to you again, but it will take some digging, since it was almost three years ago.
Bhupen
This is what a colleague, a Gujarati domiciled in Tamil Nadu told me. He and other Indian software engineers were on an assignment in Carolina, when news came of a Rajnikanth film showing in Atlanta. The Indian engineers sought - and were given - a day off in return for a compensatory saturday. He said the line was so long, he got admission on the 3rd show. The wait was not boring, it had its own share of entertainment. The cinema hall owner had allowed all sorts of things - dancing, whistling, throwing coins, garlanding the screen, etc. After all, how often does a cinema owner in USA get a full house with a line outside!
My friend also told me that it is impossible to follow a Rajnikant film, because the moment he appears on the screen, there is much frenzy and shouting and whistling and dancing.
Anyway, who can complain if it is clean fun for the fans!
I highly recommend Quick Gun Murugan, the English version. I am told Murugan is a Telugu character, but I found it a spoof on Rajnikant and his heroics which are always valiant and heroic. Murugan is out to convert the world to vegetarianism and when he is killed by the villain, he gets special sanction from an office in heaven to go back to Earth and complete his mission. In between, there are scenes like riding a bike faster than the bullet which is chasing him, doses of "Mind It". Whackily crazy but What An Idea. Sir-ji!
Especially if Rajinikanth can write a cheque and what bounces? not the cheque, but the bank. Can anything be more funny and innocent?
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