Chennai -- in fact, Tamil Nadu -- is perceived as a centre of learning, of polite people and considered as being culturally alive. TN is supposed to have the most number of foreign students. Now the jury is out on whether they come here for the learning or whether the marketing done by TN institutions abroad is top notch.
Incidentally, Chennai Corporation celebrated its 320th year this week and a photo exhibition was got up to show Chennai through the years. M K Stalin, once the mayor of Chennai and currently the minister of local administration, tracing the evolution of Chennai, said the corporation had only eight wards in 1868 and had now grown to encompass 155. Its population which was 3.9 lakh in 1871 now stands at 50.17 lakhs. And streetlights which were a mere 15 back in 1871 have now grown to 1.24lakhs!
Of Father And Daughters
Abhiyum Nanum is a film about fathers and daughters. So it stands to reason that thefilm's producer invited the most famous father-daughter in Tamil Nadu to receive the CD of the film. Yes, CM Karunanidhi and his daughter Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha MP. His political detractors, chiefly AIADMK supremo Jayalalitha, constantly criticize the CM for being preoccupied with cinema and his family. But that's another story. It seems Kanimozhi too, despite her busy schedule of politics and culture, finds the time for Tamil movies andto critique them. Her grouse: Tamil films are not realistic. "Such movies are made routinely in Bengal and Kerala. Even in Telugu, such films are produced." But the good news is that she found Abhiyum Naanum "realistic in its theme and portrayal." But she found one big flaw. "It has a scene in which the husband slaps his wife. This has for long been perceived to be an expression of man's superiority over women, but it is an offence under the Domestic Violence Act." She told the red-faced filmmakers to at least insert a card in the scene to say that domestic violence was against the law.
Of Sons And Fathers
At another function in the city this week, it was another father who was puffing out his chest in pride. Suriya-Jyothika, one can say loosely, is the Brangelina of TN, even if the former couple are low profile. Unlike Brangelina who travel the world with their brood giving the paparazzi the time of their lives, Suriya –Jyothika let the world in on Diya only at her first birthday recently where she made a pretty picture in pink while her parents looked on adoringly.Suriya, who bulked up to get six pack abs on Aamir Khan's advice, is having his day in the sun with Varanam Aayiram on the verge of release. The film's director, Gautham VasudevMenon, says Suriya is the most talented actor in the business. Wonder what Kamal Haasan will say to that? But Suriya's dad, yesteryear actor Sivakumar, was more lavish in his praise. Suriya, who portrays a 17-year-old in the early part of the film, lost 10 kgs for the role. "For 16 months, all he did was to eat vegetables and fruit. I know the 75-year-old history of Tamil cinema and I've not seen anybody do this feat, not even MGR and Sivaji Ganeshan," he boasted. The truth is that in his time, it was histrionics that counted not eye candy value. Not that I am complaining!
Foot In The Mouth
When Srikanth was appointed as the chief selector of the Indian Cricket Board, I was reminded of my chat with him during his playing days. I had telephoned to get an opinion on a cricket controversy and heblurted out, "Please leave me out of this. Every time I open my big mouth I get into trouble." Well, let's hope he does open his "big mouth" in his new job and steer cricket out of controversy and whispers of match fixing.