| Author | Message | ||
     Vjavasi Side Hero Username: Vjavasi Post Number: 5088 Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 192.127.94.7 Rating: N/A |
http://www.dailypioneer.com/287702/Cinema’s-Big-Boss.html Cinema’s Big Boss October 05, 2010 12:24:56 AM The Pioneer Edit Desk Rajnikanth sets big screen ablaze Where on Earth would you find a 4 am film show packed with audience, with many more viewers lined up for a 5 am screening? For that matter, which film exhibitor would schedule films at those unearthly hours? Well, sanity has to be kept aside when one deals with south megastar Rajnikanth’s blockbusters. If his previous exploits that had the world gaping with astonishment as he dished out one mega-hit after the other, sending fans into a swoon that could come only if they had suddenly encountered an alien or god himself, wasn’t enough, we now have Endhiran (Robot in Hindi and Telugu), a Tamil film that has kept film critics and bean counters busy since it released last week in 3,000 screens worldwide. Needless to say, it will generate several times more than the Rs 162 crore it cost to make. Even if one leaves room for the south Indian penchant for loud performances and glitzy décor, all of which are found in abundance in Rajnikanth's films, there has to be more to explain the phenomenon that he has become. Remember that he is no longer young; even at 60 years he is hardly the stereotype of a swashbuckling youngster who defies gravity when fighting a bunch of ruffians and generally trashes other laws of science and logic in delivering whistle-blowing performances. Yet, if the man continues to be reveled by millions and gets away with even the absurd, it's because he has created an image of a do-gooder not just on screen, but in real life as well. Rajnikanth’s rise to superstardom from being a bus conductor is the stuff legends are made of, and well known. In the process, he has set new standards not just in films but in real life as well. From all records he has remained a down to earth person, not allowing the success, unmatched the world over, to conquer him. He is a role model for aspirants and stands out in a crowd of mediocres who already behave like they are god. Rajnikanth, therefore, is a lesson in humility that one wishes lesser accomplished people learnt. And, so, it is only appropriate that an actor of his stature becomes a medium to reflect the far reaching changes in Tamil films. From the basic Quick Gun Murugan type films, the industry has matured to create Robot that uses the latest state of art special effects seen in Hollywood films like Jurassic Park and Avatar. Such is his persona that it can single-handedly trigger a new wave in film making. He has raised the bar for quality in films across the country. The Rajnikanth phenomenon has also underlined the commendable role being played by regional films in providing a direction and sense of purpose to film making. As an out-and-out commercial film megastar, if Rajnikanth has reached out through other language versions of his films to a wide array of audience beyond the south, there are those in other regional languages who are setting trends that the Hindi film industry will do well to emulate. The role of the Bengali and Malayalam film industries, led by legendary film makers, is much documented. What we should watch out for — as eagerly as we do for a new Rajnikanth film — is the progress of Bhojpuri films. In time to come, as this industry comes to grips with quality, it could set a new sort of trend. It already has a huge reach, and only needs a Rajnikanth-like figure to propel it to the top. |
