Cinema is part and parcel of Tamilnadu. The tinsel town had produced five Chief Ministers. From MGR, Karunanidhi to Jayalalithaa, their charisma on and off the screen had yielded them greater results in the electoral battle. Today, a host of film stars want to jump on to the political bandwagon. They aspire to get their share especially after a political vaccum like situation was created following the demise of JJ and MK. While Rajini sounded the political bugle with his Makkal Manram, Kamal Haasan is on the move with Makkal Needhi Maiam. And there is Vijay in the fray too.
Vijay’s Deepavali release Sarkar, which is more his political propaganda film, openly takes on the ruling AIADMK government. It speaks against the pet schemes of the government, including freebies. AIADMK cadres protested outside theatres screening Sarkar and they also vandalised the premises, by pulling down posters and cut-outs. They are protesting against the name of Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s character, Komalavalli, stating it is an indirect attack on late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. No wonder film personalities backed Sarkar on the issue. Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vishal and many others supported the film and raised their voice against the protests.
It has set off a debate whether a film certified by the Censor and that hit the screens should be opposed. But the ruling AIADMK supporters claim freedom of expression doesn’t mean taking a dig at others vehemently. The various government schemes have uplifted the standard of living of people, they claim. They even allege a conspiracy behind attack on them in Sarkar. The showdown has grabbed headlines. The coming days will decide whose interest finally prevails.