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| "Take
risk, become Superstars" |
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| By
Behindwoods Visitor Joseph David |
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| The
views expressed in this column are that of
the visitor. Behindwoods.com doesn't hold
responsible for its content. |
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I
refer to the article titled
"The Constants of Tamil
Cinema" found at http://www.behindwoods.com/features/column/index-ss-21.html.
I can understand the writer's
concern that though there are
many actors who are capable
of sterling performances, they
are not duly recognized or their
talents exploited.
The writer quoted one example,
Delhi Ganesh. Yes, Ganesh is
an extremely talented actor.
But talents alone cannot provide
the platform for success. The
reason the same actors like
Kamal and Rajini winning awards
constantly is not just because
they are talented; they know
the art of incorporating talent
into entertainment. And that
came with the risks they took
in their career.
As a 23-year old and probably
the most dashing young hero
of that time, Kamal took a major
career risk by acting in 16
Vayadhiniley, wearing only a
loin cloth. Rajini didn't mind
being the parattai and later
had no qualms about shaving
his moustache for Thillu Mullu.
Throughout his career, Kamal
has been the man for experimental
stuff, in many occasions facing
failures. Today, people want
Kamal to be different because
they know that he takes those
risks and adds talent to it
to entertain.
Even in the days of Sivaji Ganesan,
there were actors who were class
performers. Ashokan was one
of them, but being typecast
as a baddie all along, he stayed
with it. But Sivaji, the all-time
great, took risks by playing
the baddie in many movies such
as Thirumbi Paar, Antha Naal,
and
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Rangoon Radha. Even his role as the hero
in Annaiyin Aanai had negative shades. And
how about Puthiya Paravai? The great villian
M N Nambiar was once asked who would be
his toughest competition. His reply was,
"It would definitely be Sivaji. Luckily
he chose to be the hero, or I would be out
of work."
The greatest comedian, Nagesh,
played a tragic hero in Sarvar Sundaram
and was later the villain in Aboorva Sagotharargal.
So did our own James Bond Jaishanker. When
his career as a hero took a dip, he emerged
as an awesome villain in Murattukalai.
There are obviously many Sivajis and Kamals
in the industry but the reason they don't
get to the limelight is because they don't
take risks. Anybody can play the do-gooder
all their life and win fans, but awards
and acclaim go to the risk takers. Even
the great MGR experienced that. He won the
hearts of millions by being the ideal hero,
but how many awards for performance did
he win? No disrespect meant here - just
counting the facts.
Yes there are some actors who have dared
to experiment, but when their efforts are
commercially unsuccessful, they don't walk
that path again. Kamal experimented with
Raja Parvai, Guna and Vikram. All three
were commercial failures, but critically
acclaimed till today. Did those failures
deter him from doing Anbe Sivam? His comedy
flicks Singravelan, Maharasan and Kathala
Kathala failed. Then why did he go on to
do Thenali, Panchathanthiram and Vasool
Raja? Sheer confidence in the risks he takes.
In every era, there will be great actors,
and then there will be great risk-taking
actors. In the final analysis, it's the
experimenters who merge talent with risk
who walk away with the awards. And the fact
is, we don't have many of them in Tamil
cinema.
Joseph David
Malaysia
josephdavid2020@gmail.com
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