With Chief Ministers in the past from the cinema world, politics in Tamil Nadu still has a fascinating connection with the big screen
Even as the poll scene in Tamil Nadu is gaining momentum, there is an interesting filmy tinge to the poll campaign. There are clashes between two top matinee idols actor-turned-politician and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder Captain Vijayakanth and Tamil superstar Rajinikanth. Both have a huge fan following. Affectionately called ‘Captain’ by his fans after his blockbuster film, Captain Prabhakaran, Vijayakanth has the largest fan base in the State. He is also the most sought after politician by the opposition parties.
The immediate provocation came from the Captain who is reported to have criticised Rajinikanth in a public meeting last week, claiming that unlike Rajinikanth, he was not afraid of political threats. This was not appreciated by Rajinikanth fans and it resulted in clashes. While the Captain came with the DMDK in 2005, Rajinikanth is yet to make up his mind about entering politics. Many political parties woo him to endorse them.
In Tamil Nadu, there has been an undeniable link between the film world and politics of the State since the 1950s and the 1960s. Even in the present Assembly poll, three of the chief ministerial candidates Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and DMDK chief Vijayakanth have film roots, while the fourth one, Anbumani Ramadoss of the Pattali Makkal Katchi, is a qualified doctor.
Even MG Ramachandran’s widow, VN Janaki, who became the first woman Chief Minister of the State for a very brief while, was a film star. CN Annadurai, MG Ramachandran, as well as the DMK chief Karunanidhi have used films to spread their political message. Annadurai was the fore-runner in introducing politics in film dialogue. The DMK promoted the Dravidian movement, atheism and Tamil nationalism through the medium of films. Karunanidhi was a great scriptwriter. MGR built a personality cult, portraying himself as a pro-poor hero, and his films showed the oppression of the poor and how the subaltern hero MGR fought against it. When MGR moved away from the DMK and launched the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the new party continued the MGR myth for coming to power. He remained unassailable till his death in 1987.
Both Rajinikanth and Vijayakanth have emulated MGR in their screen life, taking on the rich and powerful. Unlike MGR, who carefully cultivated his screen image and transferred it smoothly to his political end, Rajinikanth has cultivated the image of a superman who is on the side of the masses, but he does not represent a political movement. Since 1996, when he almost joined the Congress after meeting the then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, he has been hesitant to take the final step. Earlier, he endorsed the DMK-Tamizhaga Maanila Congress combine which benefitted both the parties. Since then, there have been speculations on whether he will plunge into politics, but so far, he has kept himself away.
Vijayakanth burst into the political scene in 2005 with the DMDK. In 2006, the new party polled about 10 per cent of the votes, and in 2009, it went up to 10.3 per cent. The party aligned with the AIADMK in 2011 but the ties soured soon and in 2014, he joined the NDA; his vote-share came down to 5.1 per cent.
Vijayakanth has chief ministerial ambitions and, therefore, has decided to join the People’s Welfare Front, comprising the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the left parties. “My cadres wanted me to be the king. All alliance partners have asked me to be the chief ministerial candidate”, he said after joining the front. Its vote-share is what makes the DMDK attractive.
Vijayakanth was actively pursued by the DMK, which has now formed an alliance with the Congress. Karunanidhi had publicly expressed the hope that the DMDK will join the DMK-led alliance. The BJP too actively wooed the DMDK. But the DMDK was miffed that while the BJP national leaders met with Jayalalithaa when they came to Chennai, they ignored Captain Vijayakanth.
Vijayakanth hopes to emerge as an alternative and he might do so if he plays his cards well, but only in the long run. There are about 25 per cent to 30 per cent non-committed voters and Vijayakanth should mobilise their support. He can in the near future be a serious contender to the Tamil Nadu throne.