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A LITTLE more than a month ago, amidst the cacophony and frenzied commotion of the crowd that had thronged Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam to listen to Rajnikanth break his silence about the elections, stood this familiar figure, reasonably calm and unruffled, trying to make himself heard above the din and putting things in perspective for the TV viewer. The man was Gopinath, and the event was a live STAR Vijay exclusive.
Those who have been watching the election analyses, debates among heads of various political parties and views of the common man on STAR Vijay would know Gopinath — commentator, host and moderator of "Makkal Yaar Pakkam." Once the poll hungama was over, came the follow-up called "Makkal Theerppu." In all these discussions, Gopinath displayed maturity and equanimity that belied his age. The man is 28.
"Rabi Bernard was an inspiration. Politics and social issues offer enough scope for aspirants like me," says Gopinath. From Aranthangi and Tiruchi, down South, where he did his schooling and graduation, to Raj TV, Jaya, NDTV and now STAR Vijay, it has been one event-filled journey for the young man. "In the visual media, you are not allotted any beat as such. It is up to each person to work on an area of interest," Gopinath explains. So when his first stop — Raj TV — where he began with anchoring their "Hollywood Special," branched into news bulletins, Gopi became a reporter. Then Jaya opened its doors and he joined the channel as a news correspondent. "I also got a chance to direct their innovative in-house "Kids' News" programme." Later when NDTV came up with its regional news coverage, the energetic aspirant found a place to work as correspondent and co-anchor of many a show. Thus all these television channels have been schools of learning for Gopi. "It is because I am trained in the technical and behind-the-scene operations of news that I am able to take on the challenge of news analyses before the camera" — there's no conceit in the words, only confidence.
When STAR Vijay's tie-up with NDTV came to a close, Gopinath was given the chance to take up "Makkal Yaar Pakkam." Although as a TV journalist, he had met most of the political bigwigs earlier, interacting with them on a one-to-one basis for the programme has been very rewarding for him. Gopi does a lot of homework to be up-to-date with current affairs. "Many of my friends and seniors in the print media help me a lot ... but there's still a long way to go. The last day of the election fever ... the 10 hours of live coverage ... was a terrific experience," he says and adds, "But this is not a one-man show. The entire team at STAR Vijay works hard."
"I am glad I get a chance to be the voice of the people ... because that's what I wish to be," Gopi sums up.
His next project on STAR Vijay is all set to begin soon.
MALATHI RANGARAJAN
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