Thalaivaa ( My leader),There would have been absolutely no necessity for me to write this letter/blogpost if not for a request from a friend of mine. The reason is simple. Whatever be the content of this post, is not going to have an iota of effect on the love we admirers have towards you, nor is it going to change the mutual perception. It is like the relationship, between a dad and a son-and at some cases it has surpassed that. The entire manner in which how 'male' film actors (heroes) are adored and literally worshiped by the fans seems too stupid, contrived to the rest of the world and they even consider it barbaric-and even at times, accuse the heroes of not responding or turning a blind sight to it, and at times, it is the reality. Hardly have I, in my 21 years of material growth and 13 years of cerebral improvement, witnessed a celebrity calling off such a practice, which now has reached the apex that special shows have been dedicated by T.V. channels. Yes, there have been instances when the heroes have requested not to do any kind of antics that make onlookers walk agape, but reality is still the same.
Yes sir, You did not ask us to do it, yet we show the love, that is pure and unadulterated. The recent incident when you returned back after a treatment in Singapore for 30 days- giving us a reason to go to temples, which I am pretty sure, would not have even been in our itinerary, if not for the ordeal you went through- giving us fans the nightmares. The people who gathered there, were beaten and did get injured. The sight of you walking briskly from the door towards the car, which they saw in reality is the cure for them. The enthusiasm never ceases. But your silence on such happenings, sudden disappearances sojourns towards recluse makes the mind at times, think if at all you do care. On the other hand, the video released exclusively for the fans cleared me of all such qualms and doubts and reaffirmed the fact that you are indeed several notches above anyone who has come, who will venture into cinema.
Given the time I was born (1990) and in my life time until now, only a dozen films of yours have hit the screen. We grew up watching those cult, rich in style, superhumanesque, power packed,mind-blowing stuffs from you. Yes, we were too young to understand the metamorphosis of cinema and Rajinikanth- as the person and the actor. The majority of the active(those performing milk abhishekams, camphor aarathi etc.) fans are those who came into existence after the birth of Rajinikanth - the heroism rich actor who gives the audience plenty to whistle and dialogues which if the fans don't memorize and say verbatim, within a minute of hearing it, is not fit to be a fan. But are these people the only fans or the true fans!? surely not. I can assure you that.
The fact that the number of movies released of yours in the past two decades is around 8% of your total filmography, did not prevent us to see and accept the superficial self, but also to dig deep into history and understand the true Rajinikanth. Believe me, though we accept and admire all works, we prefer those stellar portrayals in the 80s. It was a shame that constraint in technology usage, prevented from certain movies reaching heights that they ought to have. Seeing your movies and the nuances, subtlety in action made us realize the difference between acting and over acting. There surely was more than falling down when running, or bumping against a person who is few meters away from you carrying a luggage. Netrikkan and Nallavanukku Nallavan are gems in their own way depicting how a womanizer-like dad and a conventional father should be. You were hardly 40, and Padayappa was a tonne of TNT.
You are the most popular Indian film actor of this era. Your popularity has been attributed to the uniquely styled dialogues, as well as the political statements and philanthropy ; plus from your larger-than-life super-hero appearance in many films, supported by gravity-defying stunts and charismatic expressions, all while attempting to maintain modesty in real-life. Almost every film of yours has punchlines delivered in a style of your own, and these punchlines often have a message or even to warn the film's antagonists. These dialogues do not fail to create a sense of entertainment amongst us.
But the knock of reality makes people compromise and you being a special son of the creator, are no exception. Film making is a business, and you are an important core-entity. We still are amazed when seeing a Bhairavi, Kazhugu,Mullum Malarum, Naan Vaazha vaippen,or Baadhsa,Padayappa, Shivaji. Whenever a scene, or an act- that we would have seen a million times before- appears in front of us, the sheer joy or ecstasy does not reduce even a wee bit when seeing it the 100001st time.Sri Raghavendra is my personal favourite. Since Endhiran has been talked so much, I prefer to not talk about that, as the name itself makes one's eyes pop out and gives goosebumps. Chitti version 2.0- ( *Bows*)
Though not directly or through official sources, we have heard and come across stories of your past and the travesties associated with it. We care about it as much as we care about the result of Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan cricket match. What matters is how you are and what defines you. Unpretentiousness, humility, humbleness, modesty - qualities so infectious and reaches us fast than when advised verbose.
What you do now defines you. Its Rajinikanth that has made you what you are, rather than the Shivaji Rao that you connect with on a personal level. I do not want you to enter politics, the time has passed and state of affairs is beyond repair. I don't want you as a politician. Surely not. Our desires are more practical and simple in nature. Just like you each and everyone of us have various habits, faiths, jobs, characters etc. but the common line that connects us on an ethereal level, beyond ethnic or religious constraints is you. Your name is magic, and the energy is contagious and so is the positivity. All we request is you to enthrall us, acting and giving us Diwali as and when possible. If you do decide to quit acting, please don't return to your recluse sate. Become a producer, a screen writer etc. anything which gives us the limitless happiness of seeing your name on the screen. I Just want to say - there is more left for you Thalaivaa, to return back to this field for what it has given you- a life. Our life.- "Rajinikanth"- the term is the magic as well as the magician, a religion in its own way. A billion thanks.
Your humble fan.
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