Tamil actors more into campaigning

CHENNAI: With the Tamil film turning into a business ground, inviting corporate investment, and politics turning serious enough to occupy national stage as in the 2004 elections, Tamil cinema and TN politics might have just outgrown each other.

Ever since actor M G Ramachandran became chief minister of the state in 1977, enjoying vast support owing to the charisma and political nature of his characterisation in films, Tamil Nadu politics is said to have been a hot bed for movie stars. MGR was succeeded by his on-screen partner J Jayalalithaa to lead his party as a major opposition to M Karunanidhi-led DMK, who started his career as a playwright and then a script-writer for Tamil movies.

Since then, many actors have forayed into south Indian politics through the nineties. Actor and producer Vijaya T Rajendhar captures public imagination through his alliterative speeches, and turns MLA; theatre artist S Ve Sekhar does satires of Dravidian politics, and garners a Brahmin vote base. Actress Radhika beams into households through her soaps on cable TV, starts her own party with her husband and actor Sarath Kumar.

Even in the last Lok Sabha elections, a host of comedians and actresses campaigned for different political parties. Comedy actor Senthil campaigned in south TN to appeal to his regional fan base while Dhaamu sought votes in Chennai, using his mimicking skills and north-Madras accent. It is rumoured that actor and dancer Bharath���s immaculate imitation of MGR might be put to poll advantage this year.

Apart from Manorama and Kushboo, some bold actresses have lent their support to political campaigns. Being a Punjabi by birth and Mumbaiite by upbringing didn���t stop the recent belle of Tamil cinema, Simran, from campaigning in the 2004 polls.

"But, filmstars campaigning for parties can't really be called political," opines a poll observer.