It was 5:30 AM. A group of 1000 people were huddled in an enclosure waiting with bated breath. In front of the crowd, a select group of people were waiting with bags and bags of flowers. And then...White light hit the crowd and the letter R appeared. Then, everything happened all at once. R freezed; Flowers hit the light; the crowd went berserk and a thousand voices hit a high pitch all in unison.
The scene, as I witnessed, is Endhiran release in Hosur on Oct 1, 2010. The scene, as I did not witness, is Endhiran release all over the world screens.
Now, this is not a hyped or forced group of people for a political party or religious gathering. This group is not formed to get something in return. This group does not get some name or fame for being what it is. Then, why? Why this adulation? Why this love to one man whom most of us would not even meet once in life? How come, generation after generation, for 30 years, has showered this selfless admiration to Thalaivar?
Some history and perspective here.
When Thalaivar came into Tamil Cinema (in 1975), it was just another entry. More a side role. Slowly, he grew and grew. He had his style to rely on. His mannerisms were unique. He had fans. In the 80s, he started giving hit after hit. His action and style were again the talking points. 90s saw him give Thalapathi, Annamalai and Baasha. This took him to a level from where he never looked back. Again, style played the prime role.
All alone, people started seeing a man who rose from nothing and became a star. People saw a man who, whenever he talked, talked from the heart. This was a never before. Thalaivar had an opinion on things. He did not play the suave game of appeasing powerful people. This off screen behaviour took him to heights where no actor has still not been. Directors started moulding his off screen behaviour into roles.
To me, he as a man, still dumbfounds me. I mean, my nose would have been somewhere up in the Himalayas if I had that power and money. Thalaivar still keeps his foot grounded (occasionally in Himalayas too). And believe me, he is not acting it. He cannot do it day in and day out. His true colors are thus. This, I believe, is where the common man connects with him.
Everyday, the everyday-man sees Rajni in the mirror. Everyday, Rajni is the mirror.
You know, everyone in this world, likes super-heroes. The ones that fly, do things. Its like identifying with someone whom you want to be but can never be. Thalaivar is like a super-hero to people. But the big difference is Thalaivar is real and they can very well be him.
When all of us walk out of his first day first show movie, we never discuss the movie. That is a mute point. We walk like Thalaivar. We talk like Thalaivar.
We are Thalaivar.
At times, a leader should be 'possessed' and take the crowd with him. If he stops and starts hearing opinions and options, there will be no action. Depending on whether the leader is good or bad, the crowd exalts or suffers. These two states are better than no-state. If the crowd suffers, then the next leader is born out of the suffering. No better learning in this world than suffering.
