CHENNAI: While every politician in the state is frantically plotting poll strategies and
wooing allies, DMDK head Vijayakanth is busy
shooting and giving final touches to
'Mariyadhai', his latest film which is expected to hit the screens even as he hits the campaign trail.
Unlike other parties that hire star campaigners, the actor-turned-politician will be banking on his performance in 'Mariyadhai', a family entertainer, and 'Engal Asan', another film with a message for the masses, to swing the vote in his favour. The two films are scheduled to be released before the May 13 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu.
In 'Engal Aasan' (Our Mentor), due for release on March 13, Vijayakanth plays the role of a bank manager who educates rural people about using the bank's resources to improve their lives.
For Vijayakanth, the line between real and reel life tends to be blurred. It was the success of 'Ramana', directed by A S Murugadoss of 'Ghajini' fame, that inspired him to enter politics. In the film, Vijayakanth plays the lead role of a lone hero crusading against corruption.
He formed Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam in 2005, but was not taken seriously by most of the established political parties. Parties such as the PMK and VCK, which oppose the entry of actors into politics, were openly dismissive of his political ambitions. Today however, after the DMDK's good showing in the 2006 assembly polls, his party is one of the most sought after both by the DMK and AIADMK. Contesting on its own in 232 of 234 seats, the DMDK polled an impressive 8.33% votes then.
Vijayakanth, after an initial call for boycott of the Lok Sabha elections which found no takers, is working hard to complete 'Mariyadhai', in which he plays the double role of father and son. The film is slated for an early April release.
DMDK sources said the Captain, a nickname taken from one of his popular films 'Captain Prabhakharan', has not even held discussions within the party on strategies for Lok Sabha elections. He believes there is still plenty of time and is therefore devoting time to his films. While the Congress is said to be actively wooing him, the AIADMK camp too is not averse to a tie-up with the actor, who projected himself as 'black MGR' during the 2006 assembly election to erode the AIADMK's vote base.
Whether his latest films will give the much-needed political boost for the fledgling DMDK in a crucial election is still a question mark. Most of his films after 'Ramana' fared poorly in the box office and failed to raise his stature among masses as the "crusader against evil forces".
Source:timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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