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Politics
and cinema: the twin brothers!
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Kushboo’s
entry into politics might not have been a tough
guess for many of us. She was obviously waiting
for the cue. And what probably prompted the decision
now could be the Supreme Court’s endorsement
on her socially relevant comments about pre-marital
sex. Perfect timing and the ruling DMK was more
than happy to embrace her candidature. (That she
got immediately evicted from the famous ‘Jackpot’
game show, hosted by her, that was being aired on
Jaya TV is a totally different story altogether.
I assume she calculated all such risks before stepping
into politics. Now she is happily hosting ‘Azhagiya
Tamil Magan’ in Vijay.)
Kushboo is a case in point, for we know there are
many actors nurturing a not-so-secret dream to take
the plunge into politics. For instance, Vijay. He
isn’t secretive about his political plans
and what with the announcement of even a party flag;
Vijay’s entry into mainstream politics is
only a question of when. And in which party?
So what makes the actors think they can be (better?)
politicians? That they have connections or that
they are endorsed by leading political parties?
A mix of both! Or is it the |
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illusion
that a huge populace will vouch for them. A bunch of naïve
and hyper section of the general population, who invariably
label themselves as fans and hoot at the introductory
scenes, might have given them that notion.
But is that notion completely untrustworthy at all? Not
precisely. Take the case of Vijayakanth. He set a perfect
stage for his political entry in his countless movies
with the so called social messages and foiling innumerable
terror plots, saving India’s face. It was easy to
brand himself as a saviour of masses from the evil minded
terrorists, corrupt officials and malicious politicians.
Now that’s brand management they don’t teach
you at the IIMs.
Vijayakanth floated his political party DMDK in 2005 just
ahead of the elections and went on to win a seat in the
ensuing 2006 assembly elections. Further, his party is
also blamed for splitting the votes of other major parties.
So when Vijayakanth started campaigning for his party
during the 2006 assembly elections, an office attendant
at my workplace told me that he held him in high regard.
“I’m his fan saar, I will vote only for him,”
he declared his support. “So?” I asked. “Is
that the only reason you will cast your vote in his favour?
That he fought terrorists in some movie?” He had
no answer to that but a silly hope sprouted in me that
my question made him contemplate.
It’s long since established that cinema and politics
are inseparable entities. If not in any other part of
the country, politics in Tamil Nadu is certainly home
to more film stars. Almost all the political leaders,
barring a few, who ruled the state, had roots in cinema.
Cinema is so interconnected with our lives; it’s
almost like a basic necessity. It’s hardly surprising
that our matinee idols are significant figures in our
lives. We name our children after them, form fervent fan
clubs and go onto equate their screen presence to God
almighty and worship them (by building temples of course).
But is it so bad to have politicians from films? It need
not necessarily be, if the entry is triggered by genuine
interest which is only the case in very few instances.
Largely, politics just serves as a tool to extend the
actor’s territory and to enjoy the fictitious power
the actors establish when they are in the celluloid. Power
can give you a high, an inescapably blinding one at that.
So the key for us, general public, is detachment. Stars
are what they are on screen. Outside that, they are regular
people who might or might not be interested in politics.
Their cinematic credentials are no way a yardstick to
determine their abilities in politics. No matter how hard
they fought for the country or for the underprivileged
in movies.
Respond to 
Behindwoods is not responsible for the views of columnists.
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