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TAMIL CINEMA 2000 - Comic characters
A film has its foundation on its story, screenplay, hero and songs; at least one
of these factors is indispensable.
But comedy and comedians are the pillars of a film. They sustain and support the
whole edifice of the film.
All of us feel bad for not having character artistes with caliber such as the
Malayalam actors. But the Tamils can be legitimately proud in having the best
comedians of India in the Tamil Film World.
Let us have an overview of the achievements of the Comedians of Tamil films in
the millennium year 2000.
Vivek
cannot forget the year 2000 until his final years. He has acted in 19 films in
that single year. Today he has attained the status of a hero, with a large fan
following. The labours of the last twelve years have borne fruit for him during
the year 2000. Six of the films in which he had acted in 2000 have crossed the
target of 100 days.
The following are the keys to the success of Vivek who walks tall with the
title, 'Chinna Kalaivaanar'.
1. He knows the pulse of the movie-goers, is aware of his strong points and
prepares the comedy script pertaining to him on his own.
2. He is a man with many voices and mimics many with ease and felicity. The
viewers are enchanted by this ability of his.
3. He spreads social messages in the garb of comedy. (An example from 'Minnale':
"Hey, there are 750 spare parts in the lorry, but you give more importance
to this lemon fruit. Does this vehicle run with the help of this tiny fruit? How
crazy can you be!)
4. He never shouts at the top of his voice.
These are the secrets of his success. In cutting jokes with correct timing, in
giving food for our thoughts and in bursting us into uproarious laughter, Vivek
stands head and shoulders above other comedians.
Today, Vadivelu fares equally with Vivekh, but the comedy he dished out last
year was full of din and tumult. Last year, the magazines accused him for the
big noise made by him, but he silenced all his critics, through his excellent
performance in this year's film, 'Friends'. The theatres simply reverberated at
his scintillating comic performance. Any commoner can take pride at the fact
that this son of Madurai soil has attained an exalted status today as he
receives a remuneration of Rupees Two and a half lakhs against a call sheet of
two days.
Koundamani? We see him only in Televisions. He has become a small screen actor,
of late. (but so far he has not given an interview to any T.V.Channel or
Magazines). We could see him in just two films in the year 2000. Though he has
become a rarity in films, he has not made any compromise in the reduction of his
fees. Against all odds, he has been booked to act in three films during the
current year. This gives solace to his fans.
Step by step, Vaiyapuri is making inroads with the minds of the movie-goers of
Tamil Nadu. He is not happy with the year 2000. He is eagerly expecting the
results of the movies in which he is acting during the year 2001. His histrionic
talents exhibited in 'Dum Dum Dum' have captivated the attention of no less a
person than Director Manirathnam. The Director has assured him that he would
give a sterling opportunity soon. This has made Vaiyapuri a picture of
confidence.
Ramesh Khanna is one, who walks in fast strides among the comedians of today. He
has seven films in his hand now. He gives a variety in his comedy. He has issued
a statement against Vivek:
'I won't interfere unnecessarily in the script of my comedy track. I won't do
unnecessary mimicry". As his opportunities are galore, he has forgotten the
fact that he is a Director himself! - at least for the present.
Mimicry kings Thamu and Mayilsamy could bag only small parts in many films. It
seems they have not yet displayed their histrionic powers in full.
Senthil is at a loss without his time-tested partner, Koundamani, in business.
Yet he is able to bag chances to act in some films but the comedy he offers is
not as tasty as before.
Director Charan has the habit of preparing the comedy portions also, even while
he gives fine shape to a film's story. He thinks that only then the script would
be perfect. Recently, Vijay had told that it is not at all necessary to make a
film without the element of comedy. Director Mahendran went one step further. He
is proud of our Comedians. "Our comedians provide high quality comedy at a
less cost. What they want is a teashop and a bench in front. They are the best
in the World". This is the certificate of merit given by him to the
comedians of Tamil film industry.
The fans of Tamil Cinema are steadfast in this opinion that they enter into
theatres if only a film has some comedy to boot. Therefore, whenever a hero's
film flops at the box-office, invariably he will opt for a comedy subject in his
next film. See, Kamal has figured it out in 'Thenali' soon after 'Hey Ram'.
It gladdens our hearts to see the prominence given to comedy all over the world,
in all the eight directions.
"I
would like to tell you a real episode. In Salem, two teachers have gone to see 'Nilakkalam',
as they wanted to fix a show of that picture for displaying it in their school.
They were not impressed with the fare dished out by the film and a question hit
their brain: "Does this film deserve to be seen by the pupils of a school?
There is nothing special in it!"
"Well, I know. And the name of that film is "Paandavar Bhoomi".
The heroes are Arun Kumar and Raj Kiran".
"Then, Madhan, is Ajit doing well?"
"When I think of Vaiyapuri, I too get the same feeling!"
POLITICAL SCENES
The
general elections are at our thresholds and strange coalitions are struck each
day, among the political parties in Tamil Nadu. Some parties, in an alliance,
part ways with others, all of a sudden. The public is in for wild surprises as
far as the political scene in the state is concerned. But all those parties have
a common goal and they strive hard to achieve that.
They are all bent upon enticing the film stars into their dragnet. They are
making Himalayan efforts to achieve this end.
Some people are so innocent that they wonder about the reason for the
fascination of the politicians towards the cine artistes. The following facts
would remove their wonderment:
When a film actor or actress is roped in to do the election campaign, a
political party need not bother about the correctness or otherwise its
principles. Then, the election manifesto also loses its importance. No
high-sounding harangues are also necessary. The glitz, glamour and the glitter
of the faces of the cine artistes themselves would suffice to do the trick. It
is all about the presence or the appearance of a popular face of film fame.
Nothing more is needed to draw an adoring crowd and to fetch the launches of
votes.
What the
actors say, is the Veda for the fans. The fans are known for their implicit
obedience. They follow the instructions of their favorite actors faithfully.
They obey the order of their heroes taking them as the mantras delivered by
their own fathers. They double instantaneously, as party members. Unflinchingly,
they would strive every steel nerve of theirs in finding and forming the vote
banks for their idols.
The common people, who are gullible by nature, dumbfounded as they are, would
cast their votes in favour of the parties supported by the actors nearer to
their hearts. The love of Cinema and the cult of hero-worship drive people
towards deciding the fate of the state itself.
Hence the lure of political parties for the world of films.
Both D.M.K. and A.I.D.M.K. are vying with each other in organizing a political
alliance on the one hand and a star-studded support group on the other. Each
party is wooing cine stars and winning the support of many too.
The D.M.K. has the direct support of Vijayakanth, Sarathkumar, Napolean, Radhika,
Lakshmi and Vijaya Shanthi. It has the indirect support of Rajinikanth,
Kamalhasan, Vijay, Prashanth, Parthiban and the like.
The A.I.D.M.K has the direct support of Radha Ravi, S.S.Chandran, Radha, Ambika,
Nalini and Vishali Kannadasan and the indirect support of Bhagyaraj.
When the
actors and actresses offer their direct support to a political party they are
doing a razor walk. In case the party opposed by them comes to power they are in
for potential dangers. They well have to face problems from many sides. They
will have to meet many multifaceted attacks on them. The majority of the cine
artistes, therefore, prefer to take sides with the ruling party itself.
A world of good would happen to them if they throw their lot with the ruling
party.
Though their films are just moderate, they can get advertisement on a big scale.
Their party would back them up with a mind on the vote bank.
Example: Vanchinathan fared very ordinarily among the four original Tamil
pictures released during Pongal festival, that is, in terms of box-office
collections, but Sun T.V allocates the first place in its top 10 programme, only
to Vanchinathan.
All know that Vijayakanth is a supporter of DMK. That party has a need of
keeping itself in the good books of the actor as the elections are fast
approaching. So it has made use of its "Top 10" programme to its
fullest. When the DMK T.V, nay, Sun T.V placed Vanchinathan on top of the other,
more successful films such as Friends and Deena, the viewers came to know that
is no more a Tamil malai from Sun T.V and it is actually a Poomalai placed on
the ears of those who see the programmes of that T.V.
It is a usual feature that the Government awards are being given on the eve of
elections in addition to the distribution of "Kalaimaamani" titles.
For example, the award was given to Rajinikanth for his performance in "Padayappa",
but Vikram didn't get it for his performance in "Sethu".
The Cine personalities belonging to the ruling party can glorify themselves in
the film function. They can boost up their image by hogging limelight thus.
Examples: Vijayakanth, Sarathkumar, Radhika and Nepolian.
They can
seek the help of the ruling party whenever they are involved in any legal
tussle. Immediately after the flash of any news about actors and actresses, the
high command will extend its help to them.
Kalaignar came forward to help Rajini, during the case, in connection with the
Raghavendra marriage Hall. Even while the court was attending to legal tangle,
Kalaignar asked Rajini over phone, whether he was in need of any help from him.
Will the man on the street or a commoner get the same kind of treatment, care,
compassion and aid from the top quarters? It is true, that politics accords a
red carpet welcome to film actors.
But, now, like a bolt from the blue, certain actresses who are lacking in fame,
such as Radha, Ambika, Vishali Kannadasan and Nalini have entered into the fold
of A.I.A.D.M.K. This caused surprises in the minds of all. These four actresses
have never expressed their political leanings in the past, but suddenly they
seem to be motivated by interest in politics. Why so?
As far as the news gathered by us, it seems that they have jumped into the arena
of politics only to serve their own individual interests.
Sarathkumar has announced that he would not be contesting in the ensuing
elections, but he would participate in the election campaigns, without any
doubt. Radhika has elongated the T.V. serial 'Chitthi' this far, only to gather
the support of the general public for DMK during the time of elections. She is
also prepared to campaign for DMK duly spreading the five fingers in her palm.
She too won't contest in the elections.
Whether
DMK would field any actor as its candidate in the coming elections, is not at
all a difficult question to be answered, for, the actors Sarathkumar and Chandra
Sekar have already tasted defeats in the last elections.
Ambika and Radha have the chance of getting the tickets to contest in the
elections as AIADMK candidates.
Under these circumstances, Kushboo has met Jayalalitha recently, in the latter's
poes Garden house.
At the opposite end, Kalaingar is waiting for a favourable statement to be
issued by Rajinikanth.
Many sensational incidents are lying in store to raise their heads at the
appropriate time.
There would be much fun and frolic to witness and enjoy, in the near future.
In
the Tamil film world, some sort of competition will always be going on, either
directly or behind the scenes.
An example:
The four original Tamil films released on Pongal day are not disappointing as
far as the box-office collections are concerned (Among them, as a big amount of
money has changed hands, the distributors of "Vanchinathan" had their
fingers burnt, but the Producer did not suffer in any way).
So all the four pictures are vying for top honours through a "Poster
War". It's a rat race for the first place!
No sooner the twenty-fifth day posters got dried, that the Thirty-fifth day
posters were stuck for the film, 'Friends', with the proclamation, 'An
unstoppable victory'. In the poster we saw Vijay, Surya, Devayani and Ramesh
Khanna striking mocking poses. An inevitable question rises automatically.
Who is preventing the success of 'Friends', then?
The film units of 'Deena' and 'Friends' got irritated when Sun T.V. gave the
first placement to Vanchinathan for 3 consecutive weeks. The proclamation 'An
unstoppable victory' about "Friends" was caused due to the treatment
meted out by Sun T.V.
The Thirty fifth-day poster of 'Looty' boasted that it was the 'Number one
Superhit'. How does the film rate itself as the number one hit? God, one who is
not worshipped by Satyaraj, only knows.
Isha
Gopikar is about to heave a sigh.
"Talk of the industry". "Talk of Kodambakkam". Kadhir has
been coveted with the honour of these two phrases recently.
Apart
from Rajini, Kamal, Ajith and Vijay, it is Vivek who has fascinated more number
of Tamil film fans towards him.
Recently, Ganguly had been to Chennai. What for? If you think that he might have
come down here to partake in the preparatory braining camp for the oncoming
cricket matches, then you are completely wrong. Sorry to tell a different story.
Please lend your ears, we have secret news for you.
There were two
bungalows erected on the sets at the cost of Rupees One Crore. They were the
cynosure of everybody's attention. They drew the attention of everyone around
them like a magnet. The V.I.P who was seated inside Nagma's car could not
sustain his desire to see the beautiful bungalows standing majestically in front
of his eyes. He opened the cars' door in style and was none other than Ganguly
himself.
Atlast, Sridevi, Vijayakumars' third daughter has also become a heroine. Kadhir
who was on the look-out for a new heroine, chanced to see her with his camera
eyes. Impressed as he was, he broached the subject to Manjula, Sridevis' mother.
The daughter gave her consent readily when her mother consulted her. The bird
has now flown from the nest to the sets.
Luckily
Vasundhara Das does not have a mastery over Tamil.
The
name of this Tamil year is 'Vikrama'. This year, therefore, keeps Vikram in a
fine frame of mind. He is in good spirits, despite having no Tamil film to his
credit for the past one year. There are many other things that gladden his
heart.
"In
the beginning, Hrithik Roshan who is very famous in the Hindi filmdom,
approached me with a request to make a film with him as its hero. Then, I cited
him the example of S.A.Chandra Sekhar and Vijay. I advised him to act in his
father's film as he is a reputed Producer himself."
On the
first show of 'Minnale' in Devi Theatre, when the fans exploded in heavy
applause at the very first scene in which I featured, tears jerked in my eyes.
The whole theatre wore a festive look. I was elated at the warm reception I
received from my fans. At the same time, I wondered, as to how I should keep the
renown intact forever.
All want
to make big money. Who cares about service to people? Kalaignar wants to do much
for the society, but the officers hinder him from doing so. He is aggrieved over
this sorrowful state of affairs. Of
all the states of India, Kerala stands out best. It has more number of people
who love music the most. Eight out of ten people there possess good knowledge in
music. They are good singers too.