 If one thought the Sivaji-MGR rivalry has died with their deaths, that would be a sad mistake. The Rajinikant-Kamal Haasan divide has all the wrappings of the
MGR-Sivaji divide.
Kamal Haasan, for some time after MGR's death, attempted to cast himself in the MGR style but it ended up only as a half measure since he continued to show interest in being called a great actor, inspired as he was by
Sivaji.
On the other hand, Rajinikant, Shivajirao Gaekwad, in real life, wanted to be a good actor like Sivaji. However, in his anxiety to move up the ladder, Rajni has latched on to the MGR image of film-making to churn out no-risk entertainers, with emphasis on positive trends.
Today, Rajini is seen in the MGR mould as an entertainer, actor of the masses, and Kamal Haasan, suffering the same way as Sivaji did, finds his support base more among the upper and middle strata of society.
However, Kamal Haasan now appears to be reconciled to being seen as a great actor in the Sivaji mould. Thus, he is keen on acquiring the Sivaji mantle which was readily conceded by Sivaji too.
Kamal has been going around at public functions for nearly a decade now saying Sivaji is his 'father' and that he is another son like Sivaji's son Prabhu. Rajinikant, on the other hand, is quite happy with being seen in the MGR mould, retaining his No. 1 status.
R Rangaraj
|
