By Sreedhar Pillai
It's widely known how in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh star power can swing the voters. In both the states, politics and cinema have been hand in hand from the time of the legendary MGR and NTR. In fact, Tamil Nadu has been ruled by film-stars and persons connected with the Tamil film industry since the late 1960s.
So far, Tamil films have given five chief ministers to the state. The most famous of the lot is MG Ramachandran (MGR), a superstar who effortlessly crossed over from the big screen to politics. He ruled for 10 years without a break till his death in 1987.
The party is currently led by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, a former movie star who acted with MGR in many films and inherited his legacy. DMK leader M Karunanidhi, a former scriptwriter and AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa have taken turns to rule the state since 1989.
The new entrant to Tamil Nadu politics is the DMDK led by Vijayakanth. Vijayakanth and his party contested in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls in all 39 constituencies in the state, winning no seats, but got nearly 10 percent of the popular vote. The DMDK won 29 seats in the 2011 assembly election and became the official opposition party with Vijayakanth as the opposition leader. The action hero-turned-politician calls himself "black MGR" and is popularly known as "Captain".
Actor-politician Sharathkumar campaigns for the AIADMK. Firstpost image
For the Lok Sabha elections 2014, those fighting to get the 39 seats in Tamil Nadu are AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, DMK chief M Karunanidhi and DMDK leader Vijayakanth - all from the Tamil film industry. So, it is only natural for many stars in Tamil cinema to have political ambitions. Popular stars draw crowds during election campaign, with some of them entertaining people with their fiery oratory and mimicry.
However, this time around, Kollywood is keeping an extremely low profile. No big star wants to rub Jayalalithaa the wrong way. Superstar Rajinikanth who had publicly asked his fans to vote out the then Jayalalithaa government in 1996, is keeping quiet. Today his film Kochadaiiyaan's satellite rights has been purchased by Jaya TV, and he will be doing promotions for the film on that channel. There was a buzz that Rajni will lend his voice in support of Narendra Modi, as they share a great rapport and have known each other for years. Now Rajinikanth himself has made it clear to his fans that he will not be supporting any party or candidate and will remain neutral during 2014 elections.
Kamal Haasan who ran into trouble last year when his Vishwaroopam was banned by the Jayalalithaa government, has always maintained that he is not interested in the rough and tumble of politics. In fact, the Tamil Nadu Election Commission (EC) has roped in the actor to campaign against cash for votes.
In a video made by EC, Kamal Haasan tells the voters: "Don't vote by comparing which leader is paying more. Think about in whose hands you are resting your future and vote for the deserving leader. Don't sell your future and self-respect for a pittance."
The current popular mass hero, Vijay, also ran into trouble last year with the state government at the time of release of his film Thalaivaa. Today he is shooting for his new action film Kaththi directed by AR Murgadoss in Hyderabad. Vijay has asked his fans, who had floated a semi political outfit Makkal Iyakkam, not to do anything that will rub political parties the wrong way.
It is clear that top actors are keeping away from active politics and are refusing to campaign or endorse any party in Tamil Nadu. Three years back during 2011 state assembly elections, the then top comedian Vadivel closely identified himself with DMK and campaigned for the party, which was routed.
After AIADMK came to power, the comedian, who then was at the peak of his career, found himself in the wilderness. Overnight, Vadivel found that no producer was willing to sign him up and he had to remain at home for nearly two years. Now the comedy star is trying to make a comeback to movies with Jagajala Pujabala Tenaliraman, after making it clear that he will not dabble in politics again.
In a star-push to its 2014 poll campaign, the ruling AIADMK has roped in an assortment of film and television personalities, who will tour Tamil Nadu and speak in support of the party in public meetings. The list included comedians Senthil, Gundu Kalyanam, Manobala, Ponnambalam, 'Vennira Aadai' Nirmala Vindhya, Kuyili, and Anandraj among others. However, none of them are A-listers.
Popular star Sarathkumar, MLA and president of All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi, is also chief of the powerful South Indian Film Artistes' Association. He has started his state-wide campaign for AIADMK.
Meanwhile DMK's star campaigner Kushboo is yet to hit the campaign trail. She drew record crowds in 2011 assembly election, and was the party's spokesperson on English channels. As Kushboo's name didn't figure in the list of candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, it was said that she was unhappy with party top brass.
The buzz is that she is not in the good books of Stalin and has been kept away. However the actor tweeted: "I have highest regards 4 my Thalaivar @kalaignar89 ,#Perasariyar n @mkstalin n loads of respect 4 other party members, nothing can break us" . Later the DMK announced that Kushboo will start her campaign from 5 April and would tour the entire state.
The Tamil Nadu election campaign needs that extra bit of glamour to bring in the crowds. It is business as usual for look-alikes of yesteryear popular stars like MGR and Sivaji Ganesan. They stand beside the candidates when they go in their open jeeps and sing and dance to the tunes of old MGR hits. It is entertainment, entertainment and more entertainment for the crowds who throng election meetings in Tamil Nadu.
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