Is a 'Baba' bigger than Independence Day?
By C Ramasamy
Fanaticism reached its limits with the release of Rajnikanth's most awaited movie, Baba. It is anybody's guess that Rajni like in the rest of his movies shall essay a rags to riches hero, who avenges all the evil done to him. He shall be the pinnacle of guts, glory, name, fame and the power to ostracise anybody with what is his. When will such clichéd stories with such unnecessary hype and hoopla stop driving his fans frenzy?
Is all this hype regarding yet another of Rajnikanth's movie justified? Definitely not! Ours is a country that produces the maximum number of films every year. There are a dozen films every week and every star worth his salt has a fan association. Then why is this fan following of Rajnikanth so boisterous? Why are stampedes happening in the queue for buying cassettes or coupons for his films?
On the eve of our 55th Independence Day, more publicity was given in certain parts of the country to the day as the release date of Rajnikanth's Baba and not as the nation's Independence Day. If this is the way the country shall head then shame on the actors and the artistes, who encourage such behaviour.
After three long years, Rajnikanth is back on big screen calling for such madness among the masses. The movie Baba is directed by Suresh Krishna, who has given three of Rajnikanth's biggest hits - Annamalai, Veera and Baasha. Like the rest of his recent movies, even Baba is said to have political overtones.
Rajnikanth should resist the urge to lash out at his supposed rivals using movies as a medium. If he has no intentions to take a plunge in politics then why all the gymnastics of taking sides and mouthing obvious political entente as dialogues?
Baba which is a 5 crore production is expected to rake up 80 crore for the producer and also amass great profits for the distributors. The collection from exhibitors alone is estimated at Rs 15 crore for the first four weeks, after which the distribution rights of the film will be given for 5 years. Everybody involved in the movie shall make merry but for his unfortunate fans who are being made the scapegoats.
Unlike regular ticket reservation for the movie, the audience has to purchase the cassette by reservation through issue of coupons. These coupons are sold only in those theatres where the movie will be released and the holders have to first get the cassette from the theatres. These coupon holders will get preference to reserve tickets for the movie show. Each coupon is priced at Rs 50, which is quite a price for the masses. In addition the fans have to shell down Rs 100 to see the movie.
Let me be clear I myself am a fan of Rajnikanth "the actor", and there is no doubt in my mind he is the Baasha of them all. The problem I am trying to highlight is the misuse of a "platform" called Rajnikanth by many people for their own vested interests.
Some questions that bother you are: Is this really what the 'Thalaivar' (supreme leader) wants out of his fans in return to all the adulation and devotion he gets from them? Is Baba a political platform for the lead star? Is there nobody to remind them that a nation stands taller than an Icon and so does the Independence Day and not a film premier ? Finally, is the Baba aware of all this at all?
'Arre Baba is someone listening?'
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