While most of us are looking forward with a sense of euphoria to the approach of the new
millennium, nearer home there is an excitement of another kind.
Rajinikant, the reigning
superstar of Tamilnadu, a demi-God to his fans, is celebrating his 25 years of stay in
filmdom. And he is celebrating it with a big bang.
This announcement has a
lighter side to it. There are cynics and there are skeptics. There is a cross section of
people who always have something to say. Some wondered what exactly the star had achieved
over the years, that he should make an event of it. While a section felt that if any
felicitation was to be done, it should have been done by the film industry. Hadn't the
entire industry risen up as one of felicitate the thespian Sivaji Ganesan when he won the
Chevalier award? But then the question would arise as to what they would felicitate the
superstar for. There were still others who felt that there is nothing wrong if the actor
felt like hosting an event. But only that he should have hosted it, as a gesture of
thanksgiving of sorts. To all those in the industry who had been in any way instrumental
in his climb up the ladder of success. Well, there are people and there are opinions. One
cannot please everyone, can one?
Anyhow the general opinion is 'What has he really achieved?
What has he to show, for these 25 years of celluloid existence. And It is not as if the
superstar is ignorant of what's being talked about. The fact is that he is a reluctant
participant. A shrewd and sensitive man, given to a lot of introspection, Rajini is aware
of it all. At the celebration of the silver jubilee run of his production
'Padayappa' the
star had said, "People may wonder what I have achieved in all these years. My
greatest achievement is that I have not given any problem to any of my producers or
directors. And that no producer can say that he has suffered a loss because of me".
Achievement enough, isn't it!
The main person behind the celebration is
Lata, wife of Rajinikant -the woman who
has solidly stood behind her man through all those years of turbulence. A pillar of
strength, never once buckling down, even when the going was not good in the personal
front. Being the wife of a superstar was not an easy one! And, of course, the star too had
stood solidly by his wife, encouraging her in all her endeavours, pursuits and ventures.
Whether it was the fair-price shop she opened adjacent to her home following her marriage;
or the fast food café, the departmental store, or the school - the 'Ashram'. He has never
demurred even when some of the ventures closed down as fast as they had opened. Even for
his star nights' abroad, it was Lata who gamely held the stage and managed the show. If
you ask me, she needs an event as much in her honour, to mark her two decades of
solidarity with her man.
Coming back to the actual event and the celebration, it
will be a ten-day affair. Titled 'Rajini-25' the show will be celebrated at three levels.
A Rajini film festival will be held at the Abhirami Theatre in Chennai. Beginning on the
12th, the birthday of the superstar, it will continue till the 16th of December. Fifteen
films starring Rajini will be screened, with three shows per day. The star himself has
selected the films. Some of his better films are missing from the list like,
'Aarilirunthu
Arupathu Varai', 'Mullum Malaram' and 'Badshah'. Probably there were technical reasons
like non-availability of the print, for the omissions, and the inclusion of films that
were definitely not his best.
At another level there is to be the exhibition of his stills, rare photographs
& costumes that he wore in his films, on 17th, 18th and19th at the Film City. On the
23rd, the final day, there would be the 'Rajini 25' celebration held at the
M.G.R. Film
City. Many of the actors and actresses are expected to participate in this. Entry is to be
with tickets priced from Rs.100 to Rs.2500. Who says that the stars come cheap? They
don't!
A huge 'Pandal' that can seat 25,000 people, is being
erected in Film City. There would be a light music programme conducted, with Lata
Rajinikant presiding over it. Followed by dances by artistes like Prabhu
Deva, Arun Kumar, Meena, Ramya Krishnan, Roja, Devyani, Prita, Vanita
Vijayakumar, Aishwaria & Rambha,
Artistes, from all the four South Indian Languages are expected to participate (!).
Amitabh Bachan is expected to be present. The latest report is that the
C.M. Karunanidhi
and the T.M.C. leader Moopanar may also be present. The superstar himself seems to have
finally made up his mind to grace the occasion. There is no point in Rajini being absent
when this is being done in his honour! Reportedly, there is one matter on which the star
has taken a clear stand. There should be no speeches, or eulogies on that occasion. But
will anybody take it seriously? Our stars and politicians cannot take the stage without
saying something, can they!
Malini Mannath
