Unedited ….
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It was one evening in the early 90’s. I happened to be at Vijaya hospital in Vadapalani Madras, visiting, and decided to go for a stroll outside in their private garden. I heard a commotion,, and there he was…. For the first time, I was seeing a larger than life person in a smaller than life size…let’s just say I expected a bigger man! Thalaivar was taking a break from shooting and spending some time recouping at the hospital. What I saw was a thin body and that trademark hair exploding in all directions; I did notice the ‘superhero aura’, though. The following day I walked next door to the studios and saw the set of Dharmadurai. The scale of the set was impressive: cathedral like halls replicating a luxurious mansion, expansive libraries with VCR cassette shells and fake books, a sprawling study and an open ceiling to accommodate lights and camera. I was in awe.
That same weekend I watched Dharmadurai — FDFS( First Day First Show). The atmosphere was electric and the experience epic. Rajini fever was at its peak.
Fast forward 25 years… we have a party called AAP, Flipkart for the couch-potato shoppers, and Infosys and Airtel are household names. The demography has shifted, 75% of people are now under the age of 40. Economic liberalization is underway, with it’s inevitable but unintended consequences. Unchecked development driven by the ruthless appetite of developers, institutional corruption, traffic jams, clean water shortages, waste disposal nightmare, communicable diseases, unreliable power supply…..the list could go on. We all want to move ahead, innovate and get a piece of the pie. India is not prepared to handle this gold-rush.
Innovation means to have ideas that have enduring value. Hindu rate of growth and change won’t cut it. India needs a SHIFT in CULTURE, a SHIFT in IDEAS. We need a fresh start; this start has to be driven by our young Supermen. They need to shed the baggage of ideas from the ‘British Raj’ and strive to develop competencies that drive efficiency, reliability and quality. Whether its manufacturing or the service industry, this shift is what will make the world want to consider the option of ‘Make in India’. They need to create Franchise Superheroes; like Superman, Pokemon, Sherlock Holmes, Lara Croft or James Bond. We want new ideas that develop avatars like these, avatars that are “Made in India’ — ideas that are attractive globally and can transcend individuals. This creates value, employment and money making for generations to come..
The old order has to move on…and so does the era of dynastic heroes. We can’t afford superheroes that transcend generations just because Computer graphics allow them to forever bask in the glory of pseudo youthfulness.
During my days, I loved ThalIavar, Bachan or a Mohanlal style to bits, and hated the older champions like MGR and Shivaji. The majority of my friends I am sure were like me, this pushed outdated heroes to take roles as grand uncles and grandfathers in newer movies. Nothing wrong with that, and a nice to way to fade…
Why is the new and vibrant youth of India not able to move on, and why are ageing superheros hanging on like Bollywood villains?
With all due respect get out of the way folks, let the new generation get inspired and create their own Heroes and Superheroes! An Indian Superwoman maybe?
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Mahinth
Aug 2016
M 