Ripples on the brain

Here’s wishing you all a very Happy Pongal. I’ll be staying back in Hyderabad, so chakkarai pongal (sweet pongal) and other goodies today or the variety rices - puliyotharai (tamarind rice), lemon rice, thengai saatham with pachidi (raitha) and appalams tomorrow will be missed .

Among other interesting news, this Pongal has also become the showdown of sorts between the self-proclaimed heirs to Superstar’s throne in Kollywood. Three films Paramasivan, Aathi and Saravana of Ajit, Vijay and Simbu respectively are releasing simultaneously. The competition between Ajit and Vijay has become more and more apparent in the last couple of years with Vijay taking a swipe at Ajit through the lyrics in his songs and Ajit striking back vocally and directly. Also, all these budding heroes are hypocrites, claiming on one hand that the Superstar’s throne can never be usurped by anyone else, while on the other hand, trying every gimmick possible to imitate him on screen. Vijay’s effort in this regard has been very blatant whether it was dancing with Annamalai’s constumes or roping in Nayanthara for a song in his movie and having lyrics that reminded the viewers of her pairing with thalaivar in Chandramukhi. Ajit’s earlier film Anjaneya was his claim to the throne. The movie, as all its successors, have flopped completely in the box office and he’s still fighting it out to get some share of the eyeball. Simbu used to call himself “Little Superstar”. I don’t know what his title is right now, but I find his films a load of crap, notwithstanding the success of Manmadhan. He’s paired with the same heroine, Jyothika, now and whatever happens, I can assure you that I will never be able to sit through his movies.

To all these and other heroes, my only advice (and I’m not the first one to give it) is be yourself. I have seen many movies of yours and am very sure you aren’t even close to Kamal’s or Rajani’s calibre. Rajani is not style alone. During his heydays, he acted wonderfully. Accepted that you guys are doing somethings better than everyone else, for example the grace of Vijay when he dances is great, but you still need to prune your acting skills. In this regard, a hero who has recently appealed to all sections is Surya. He is doing different kinds of movies and winning accolades from everyone.

And, not to forget, there’s also this “Muzhu neela nagaichuvai thiraipadam” (full length comedy movie) Perarasu from Vijaykanth (who else ). This movie will be interesting in the context that he has already started his own party and refused to align with any of the existing parties in Tamil Nadu. With elections round the corner and Election Commission’s directives yet to come into force, it’s a no-brainer to guess what the movie will contain (no, other than Captain’s comedy).

May the best movie win. Sitting in Hyderabad, it will be little difficult for me to check the pulse and declare the winner sooner. So will wait till the news is out.