Why Rajinikath can’t replicate M.G.R’s political success

2020 has become more exciting for the people of Tamil Nadu, with Mr.Rajinikanth’s assurance of advent into mainstream politics. There is an air of curiosity, excitement with expectations from this man who commands a fan base like no other.

Ever since the early 90’s, there was this million dollar question in every Tamilian’s mind: ‘Will Rajini enter politics?’. Now when we have finally gotten a solid answer to this question, the next big thought is if Rajini could really succeed in the upcoming 2021 TN state elections and enter the coveted Chief Minister’s office. At the moment, a great amount of uncertainty prevails over the TN election results thanks to the demise of two senior leaders viz. J.Jayalalitha and M.K.Karunanidhi and the entry of the two most popular stars of Kollywood in the scene.

This reminds one of M.G.R’s era, because he was the first actor to have assumed office as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, that with unbelievable people’s support and love. Though Rajinikanth enjoys an equally overhwhelming fan base, he definitely can’t do an M.G.R 2.0.

Back in those times, movies and newspapers were the only media where one could spot an actor virtually. There was always a cloud of mystery about the actor. People were curious to know more about their favourite stars. They revered these stars and would do anything to just see them in person once in their lifetime! Such is the power of curiousity and love mixed together.

TVs were less popular and the actors were more inaccessible. The human mind always enjoys picturing our loved ones in the way we like. People made a mental picture of the person that the actor was. What they did not know was that it was the movie character that was relatable and loved by them, not the person that the actor was. Stars encashed this, getting more love and support that was actually for the characters that they portrayed and not the actual person they were.

We often hear stories of how rude and mean an actor could be in real life, in stark contrast to the sweet, daring and selfless characters that they get to play on-screen. But this knowledge was far from the reach of common man in those days. This naivety of people caused them to believe that their favourite star was the same selfless and loveable person in real life too. Hardly anything was known about the person that he/she was. This easily made them connect with the masses and make them believe whatever they said. M.G.R easily cashed in on this, cleverly creating revolutionary people oriented characters in his movies and making the people believe that he was their revolutionary leader in real life too.

Thanks to the advent of social media and globalisation, people today have access to almost every detail of an actor’s behaviour in public. This throws more light on the person that they are, much more than the roles that they play on-screen. With more exposure, people have realised that a good actor need not essentially be a good intellectual and in turn a good leader. Social media especially has made people get to know their stars at a personal level on a day-to-day basis, creating more room for judgement.

That’s why one can see more criticism and a sense of equality amidst the educated upper middle class people these days thanks to the global exposure they get from home. All the curiosity and the madness evolved from that curiosity about their star dissolves, because it is easily possible to quench your curiosity in just a 5-minute google search! These days, the more one speaks, the more he/she is subject to judgement and public criticism. Face value doesn’t hold as much importance today as it did in M.G.R’s era.

It has become essential for a person of public interest to think more than twice before he utters anything to the masses as their words are irrevocable today thanks to technology. Though Rajini still has blind support from some die-hard fans from the 80’s and 90’s, the younger generation is more judgmental and critical. Gone are the days when blind worship was the normal. And that is exactly why Rajini will find it more and more difficult to establish himself as a politician and leader amidst the masses to win the upcoming elections!

Let the most deserving contestant win!