Karunanidhi, has often spoken of politics and writing representing his two eyes. The CM’s presence at film functions is de rigeur and what is also an annual event is his felicitation. It’s another matter that this year actor Ajith, known for plain speaking, stole the CM’s thunder by complaining that actors should not be asked to take political stands. But Karunanidhi stole the limelight right back when goons began baying for Ajith’s blood (and even megastar Rajnikanth’s after the latter applauded his fellow actor for not mincing his words) and he played peacemaker between the militant Kollywood crowd and mind-our-own-business fraternity.
This week, the CM was a busy man in filmdom. He was present at the launch of Illaignan, director Suresh Krissna’s 50th directorial venture, on Wednesday, he is expected to attend the felicitation of theatre person YG.Mahendran for completing 50 years in the entertainment industry this Friday, and on Saturday, he will be present at the audio release of Pen Singham. Read on to see how many different roles the CM has played in this film.
Kalaignar wears different hats
Last month the CM could be spotted at the Kalaignar TV’s edit suite at Arivalayam, editing his upcoming film Pen Singham, which is based on his novel Suruli Malai, written four decades ago. There are other hats he wears for this film – as the writer of the screenplay, dialogues, lyrics and even the script. Apparently, Karunanidhi had summoned ace editor V.T.Vijayan after seeing the film and made it clear he wanted to sit through the editing.
“We were not surprised when he said that. This film is close to his heart as it has a revolutionary theme and also addresses women’s liberation,” producers Arumuganeri Murugesan and Jayamurugan, claim. The CM was also present during the filming of a crucial court scene that was shot on the lead pair Meera Jasmine and Udhay Kiran in AVM Studios recently. “He wrote the dialogues on the spot and sat at the monitor to supervise the scene. He virtually directed the scene, instructing the artistes, including actor Riteesh (a DMK MP who played government prosecutor) and Meera on their diction and body language,” the producer says.
Jayalalitha, herself a top actress, may be speaking the truth when she accuses the CM of being partial to cinema. Hear it in the words of producer Murugesan: “Normally every day at least half-a-dozen people with prior appointments would be waiting at the CM’s Gopalapuram residence. But we were granted the privilege of jumping the queue and entering his room, since everyone knows Kalaignar enjoys discussing films to relax his mind in the midst of his demanding political career.”