The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Star power comes to the fore in `Elections 2006'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 01, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Star power comes to the fore in `Elections 2006'

Ramya Kannan

4 actors are contesting the polls this time, many more join the campaigning

ACTORS IN ACTION: Film actor Simran waves to the crowd at an AIADMK election rally in R.K. Nagar. (below) DMK candidate for Mylapore constituency D. Napolean, having a word with actor and director K. Bhagyaraj at a public meeting in Adyar. — Photos: P TI and N. Sridharan

CHENNAI: `Elections 2006' is a star-studded fare. The involvement of film stars in politics is legend in Tamil Nadu. Actors have always managed to sway the masses, sometimes converting mass appeal into substantial gains for themselves or their allies. None more so than MGR, who has managed to reflect the glory of his screen personality in real life politics, winning every election he contested in Tamil Nadu.

This time, four actors from the mainstream Tamil cinema, are contesting on the ticket of the main Dravidian parties or by themselves. The political career of Vijayakanth ( Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam), Napoleon (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), S.Vee.Sekhar (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and Vijaya T.Rajender (Latchiya Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) will be decided on May 8.

`Captain' Vijayakanth, in his maiden political venture, is on a whirlwind tour, campaigning to cover the entire state, as he goes it alone. In the first phase of his tour in home constituency, Virrudachalam, the `Captain's' van was tailed by crowds, which came in droves to see the star.

Not surprisingly, he spoke much like the hero he has played on screen. His dialogue delivery received applause from people who could associate the politician with the actor they were familiar with. He tries to draw on the MGR advantage, projecting himself as `Dark MGR.' More recently, however, especially in Chennai, reports are coming in of dwindling crowds.

Actor Napoleon draws substantial crowds in several parts of the state as he campaigns for the DMK. He winds up his campaign everywhere singing songs set to popular film hits, but with modified lyrics. His body language and attitude are aggressive, reminiscent of the hero and villain roles he has played in films.

In Mylapore constituency, this villain-turned-hero will clash swords with yet another actor, a man who will use his wit to fight his battle. S.Vee.Sekhar, AIADMK nominee in Mylapore, takes care to pepper campaign speeches with his trademark humour.

Actor-director Vijaya T.Rajender (contesting in Mayiladuthurai) along with his son Simbu, an upcoming star, is busy campaigning for the LDMK and the DMK. He uses his characteristic on-screen rhymes to demolish his opponents.

This is as far as the contestants go. The number of actors who have added glamour to the campaign is staggering: Simran, Vindhya, Kovai Sarala, Vijayakumar, Visu, Sarath Kumar, Senthil, Kumarimuthu, Thyagu, Sangili Murugan, `Gundu' Kalyanam, Ramarajan, C.R.Saraswathi, Murali, directors Mano Bala and R.V.Udayakumar. While the AIADMK has the largest crop of actors canvassing for its candidates, the DMK's star campaigners include director-actor Bhagyaraj and actor and DMK loyalist Chandrasekar.

The All India Forward Bloc representative Karthik, who had a successful stint as a hero, is believed to be a force to reckon with in a few constituencies.

As polling day draws nigh, the campaign heats up. There is no doubt that filmstars draw crowds, who are eager to see their celluloid idols in flesh and blood. What remains to be seen is whether the response will translate into votes.

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