Sivaji gives TN an unseasonal festival. Rajini's Sivaji mania grips US. Sivaji takes Delhi by storm. Every Rajini film is a holiday. Gods take a backseat. Fans offer prayers.
These are just a few of the headlines that I had seen on a few news portals that I am able to recall. There has been so much of Sivaji and Rajini on the mainstream media back home in India over the last few weeks that keeping track of the number of stories is impossible. The below are some news that come off the top of my head now.
Policemen brought in to control crowds.. in Kaula lampur. A report says that the faithful fans are ready to watch the movie standing, they just want to watch. And this happened not in Chennai but in Columbus, Ohio. The movie has been released in 5 theatres in Toronto An IT company booked an entire show in a Bangalore multiplex for its employees ..paying 67 thousand rupees. A special 10 am show was screened in view of the huge demand , at Richmond, VA. Entire first week sold out in Dubai. 4000 plus tickets sold out in Bay area. Sivaji relasing in two theatres each in Sydney and Melbourne.
Even if half of what has been written is true, then this undoubtedly is the most hyped and reported / written about movie in recent times. The kind of craze , frenzy, excitement that this man’s movies generate is just beyond belief and comprehension.
There have been a lot of people who have been asking how did this 58 year old now bald, dark and ordinary looking man become the most loved , adulated and worshipped ( !) icon of our times. How come he has fans cutting across every possible division in the society? People wonder how is he able to have this effect on the audience. How was he able to win over the Japanese ? How come this reclusive, reticent, extremely modest and humble person transform into the epitome of style on the screen. ? Why is the day of his movie release celebrated like the most important festival of the year. How come even if his movies carries below average reports it can do business worth 50 crores. How, why , how ??
And then they also give answers - style, punch lines, dialogue delivery, mannerisms, action, comedy, crazy fans, hero worshipping culture of the Tamilians and a whole lot of other reasons.
I can only say that there is no point in spending too much time on trying to deconstruct Rajini and the excitement he creates. There is no logic, reason, explanation or method to the mania, madness and mayhem that is generated when his movie releases. Those who want to find answers and pin down the euphoria to written down reasons and causes, can try and continue on the quest. While the rest of us fans, will continue to rejoice ,be happy and be thankful to the man for bringing us so much excitement and joy.
Rajini. Don't bother to find reason . Its magic.
No comments:
Post a Comment