South Indian cinema includes four states namely, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Remain broadly swept under the Hindi cinema, when there are different types of dialects of Hindi.
Mumbai-based films were more in numbers than other dialects. The sheer fact that South’s defied to hold on to their mother-tongue of their states. The most vociferous rebels who hung on to their language were the Tamilians.
Meanwhile, the rest of the southern states were open to include Hindi as compulsory language in the communication. At one point, I am thankful that my state stood by holding on Tamil by making it compulsory.
Tamil is the sixth oldest language that is still spoken even today. Some of the ancient languages are extinct now. Complexity of the language provides for some rich grammar and refined literature.
Coming from such a heritage of cultural context we are much like our neighbours and share similar values in our daily life. The flavours of stories from the four regions of South India carries its own variety much like our cuisines.
My Unique View as an Audience
Sometimes when one writes about a person, the note of subjectivity creeps in and takes over the narrative. Before I could launch into my perception of the actor, let me explain my point of view.
Our Southern state actors rule the roost of public opinion, especially when it comes to their favourite actors. The level of hero worshipping of the said actor based on their roles in the movies sways the perception for most in South Indian audience. I should say it is an Indian viewership phenomenon all over India.
I don’t have any favourite actors or actresses in mind. I view movies those 2 hours or more with the story being the prime focus. If the actor convinces me of the role-played, I am a satisfied audience and there ends the matter.
I don’t sport the gang-ho groupie attitude towards the silver screen actors. When I leave the theatre, I really leave behind the movies and cherish just the experience. The movie either entertained me or left me feeling disappointed. These are the only two states and beyond that I am not a fan of the movies or it’s performances.
It is extremely hard to sport such an attitude when the people around you are reacting super crazed about their choice of actors. This is partly the reason why I don’t have any favourite actors, maybe just stories that worked well and was well enacted.
My Takeaways from Movies and Yellow Journalism
In my mother-state Tamil Nadu, there are fraction of ardent overly passionate fandom towards the actors. Sometimes, even the actor themselves, would feel that ‘guys you’re taking this love for me too far!”
This sometimes leads them to compromise on their privacy for holding the actors’ cloak around them. Only when you drop that mantel could you be less of a public figure. One of my strict rules is not to read yellow journalism articles. I defy and refuse to read up on what is happening with the actors’ personal life.
I just view their work, if I laughed at the comic timing or cried to the emotion created, that is it! Job done, now leave the place. Of course, I do want to hear how they were able to internalise the character following any of their personal or general acting theories.
Practical application of prepping and executing a role. To view in such depth does not happen for me. Because I view movies for entertainment, maybe some social awareness since I don’t have any explicit experiences with the subject of the movie.
Family Entertainer Long Past Gone
I am crassly waiting to be convinced that is all. That is why, sometime a sidekick would be more appealing to the sensitivity than the main lead. Character roles are vested with hidden agenda of fawn the main lead.
For me movies are group activity and would love to see them with my family without feeling embarrassed by the scenes. The modern cinema is no longer a complete family entertainment.
I don’t know if all the stories have been told. But then, on second thought maybe their a moment pivoting the viewfinder and say the story differently.
My Perception of Kamal Hassan Via the Book
This is such a relief to read a book “Kamal Hassan – A Cinematic Journey” by K. Hariharan was not gushing narration of the actor’s acting skills, philanthropy and greatness of his personality.
I am not being over critical about it, just that here was his success run, experimentations, box office responses, lessons learnt and unlearnt, and along with the early day struggle not glossed over but said as a fact of the matter.
His play with giving some light stories followed by deeply contemplative stories is a stratagem. The viewfinder that Kamal as an actor-director has swung it in different ways. He is a versatile actor who has always been aware of the plot and what or who is good for teaming up for a movie.
For an actor each movie is a self-grooming. In the process of acting out the role, is a personal growth and willingness to explore at the risk of being rejected by the audience who are not ready to receive it well.
My Country’s Diversity Is Old News
I am from India, and I am proud of that fact because we are a little “doosaron se thoda alag!” or as Actor Rajinikanth’s unique dialogue ‘en vazhi thnai vazhi.’ Our differences are our strength and holding peace may not happen all over India but for most part we are tolerant of each other.
So, our movies reflect our diversity. We are guilty as charged in siding the musical format. I cannot imagine movies without those songs and dance though they could keep it realistic. But then heck we need entertainment even if it makes the actor think ‘why am I circling this tree?’
An Art Movie coloured in commercial formulae movie is seriously good bet to a great entertainer. But then, seriously, who wants art movies when I can mindlessly binge on feel good movies. Nope, not for the Indian audience! We want everything like our overwhelming thalis or unlimited meal combo!
Review of the Book Side Tracked
I felt the need to justify the kind of movies and my attitude towards them are first of before exploring the book review. Honestly, our movies are just like us welcoming, naïve, over-exaggerating, sentimental mush catering to various artistry of performances.
I must say this for the book that it brought about a confluence of all the various schools of drama, theatre, media’s constraint, explorative experimentation, learning from other film genres. That way this book was incredible read since it brought out the Indian Manthan philosophy.
We stir up the public emotions to look at the specific of social ills and how to counter it. Films as reflection of reality comes from the moment of realism stepped in the studios and production circle.
At that point, the vibrant canvas of the Cinema spanning large audience and moving social decisions. I think the struggles of the moviemakers to find a financing producer for their revolutionary script is an act of human kindness filled with passion to their craft.
Itinerant Storyteller 