Almost half of Tamilnadu screamed ‘thalaivaa’ when Endhiran’s songs got released few weeks back (it’s still going on loop in my car all the time)….Ever since the movie was announced the fans are frenzy to see the super star in (a) totally different role(s). Originally written by late Sujatha (I still question myself if it was ‘originally’ written by Sujatha, but let’s keep it aside for time being), this story was converted to a screenplay by Shankar keeping Kamal hasan in mind initially. Later, Shah rukh came into picture couple of years back, but even the Bollywood Badshah could not withstand the humongous budget the script demanded. Somehow, it certainly takes a Rajini Kanth to get 1.5 billion rupees for a regional Indian movie. Even an established, promising director like Shankar needs a trump card – Rajini Kanth. What does this man have? How can one possibly enjoy stardom for such a long time and keep entertaining three generations alike!
I still remember collecting Rajini’s pictures in greeting cards and putting together an album during my childhood. I don’t remember celebrating my birthday but I remember firing crackers on December 12th…I don’t know why, but this man has the charisma (he still does) to hypnotize generation after generation…I still remember a 6 year old Hindi speaking kid, who barely understands Tamil, imitated Rajini’s manerism on his father’s bald head after watching Sivaji. How can an almost 60 years old person influence a 6 year old kid who hasn’t even seen Rajini before? If that was not enough, having thousands of Japanese fans and Japanese visiting Chennai for every one of Rajini’s movie releases is not a joke.
I never imagined a Tamil movie album topping iTunes continuously for 3 weeks. Of course, Rahman is a genius and no questions on that. But not all Rahman’s Tamil albums get into iTunes and get downloaded (legally :O) by millions of fans. If that was not enough, the government of Peru allowed the Endhiran crew to shoot in Machu Picchu. News is that they denied access to the James Bond movie crew! (yeah, this is from behindwoods, I read every tabloid every week and proud of that 
) If people remember the 1996 state elections in Tamilnadu, this man, single-handedly changed the fate of the state just by a 5-minute speech! (of course, he refrained from political speeches then after which is probably the best decision he has made in life).
Now you must accept that this man has got something. Of course, I don’t need to substantiate the credibility of a man who can keep entire India (not an exaggeration) wait with bated breath for his movies even today. But my question is, how long is he gonna stretch it? Big B (I believe he is the ONLY contemporary actor who can be even compared with Rajini Kanth), in my opinion is wiser than Rajini in this aspect. Big B was smart enough to realize the characters that he as an actor and he as a 50+ old person can fit in. If we look at his movies for the last decade or so, we can see maturity and variety. Movies like Black, Cheeni kum, Pa will stand as testimonies for his quest for characters that suits his age and maturity. I would probably agree on a counter argument that the Tamil audience still love (il)logical masala movies. But, it’s changing and changing for the better. You may also argue that nobody was ready to bet on Big B as a mass hero and I have to accept that 
Recently, I saw a video in Youtube on the body double used for stunt sequences in Endhiran. That man wears a mask like Rajini and performs all the stunts for Thalaivar. I know, at the age of 60, we cannot expect Rajini to perform gravity defying stunt sequences that audience get enthralled with. But, coming back to the basic question, why does he need to do them at the first place? I hope Endhiran becomes the biggest blockbluster of Indian cinema and Thalaivar graciously renounces masala movies and focuses on characters that will suit his age. Enough of trying to dance with Shriya and Aish!…I personally want to see a Kali of Mullum Malarum or a Santhanam of Aarilirundhu Arubadhu Varai again. Thalaivaa, it’s high time that you show the world what a real super star should do when he is 60 and lead by example!
) seems to be a big question these days..working in US is no more a ‘key differentiator’ and doesn’t give the ‘competitive advantage’ it used to give…Thank God! I still have a long way to go 
