Tamil actors; where is their unity?

There is a proverb in Tamil that goes something like this; it's the circus-man who benefits if a village is split up. Couldn’t be more apt in these times, with regard to the Tamil film fraternity. Their display of unity, whenever it is needed for a social cause (for instance, the cause of Srilankan Tamils) seems to dissipate instantly as soon as they embark on their duties to the political parties they are affiliated to. This was no more than evident than it was during the state assembly elections, just went by.

Mudslinging , swearing against each other (in political rallies) and ruthlessly smearing the other with allegations became a common sight during the campaigning for the assembly elections. It was as if the actors are emboldened by the party they belong to or the political support they derive as soon as they are affiliated to a certain party.

The Vijayakanth – Vadivelu saga is fodder to many a political magazines and both their fans. They have stooped to levels lower than one another, hitting new lows quite often in their attempt at mudslinging. A respected director like Bhagyaraj throws squirm-worthy adjectives at Sarathkumar in political rallies, making both him and Sarathkumar the butt of jokes. While Radharavi directs his barrels at Vadivelu, Anandhraj does the same to Bhagyaraj and Senthil to Kushboo. We do not know if this happens in other states. In Tamil Nadu, actors seem to have hit rock bottom in their moral values. This trend propels out with full force, mainly during such political campaigns.

So all the solidarity show they put up during the other campaigns for social causes are just a piece of act? And we are supposed to take them seriously when they, supposedly, join hands and raise voice against many social causes? Forget about their contemporaries in other states, what about the viewing public in Tamil Nadu? It’s not too much to say that some Tamil actors are belittling themselves when
they go overboard in political campaigns, calling names at fellow actors.

And they are not only damaging their own reputation, but the reputation of the industry they belong to. They are diluting the seriousness they might command when they speak out during other occasions that deserve priority. But who is to realize this?

Agreed politics is not a gentleman’s game but when you have two boats to sail, isn’t it a safe bet to tread with care? Rather than unleashing trivialities and decrying one’s own status in the minds of people who already think twice before taking any actor seriously?

While the release of Vijay’s Kaavalan was mired with political pressures, it was only looked upon as Vijay’s own problem. And when Ajith openly commented that it’s the inability of the film fraternity to seek benefits of political parties in power for their own benefit, he was cornered and was made even to apologize.

When will our actors realize that politics is a dividing force in their career? And until they did, they are never going to be taken seriously and that is the sad truth.

• Happy Birthday Thala!