Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Keep politics out - Says World Superstar Rajini at the Kannada Cinema 75th year celebration function




Please don’t divide us. We are living like brothers. Please don’t bring politics into cinema,' this was the fervent appeal by superstar Rajnikant.

His words were welcomed with thunderous applause and shouts by the crowd on Monday, the second day of the platinum jubilee celebrations of Kannada cinema. As many as 108 personalities from various segments of the industry were felicitated.

The amity and effervescence of personalities from the Kannada, Telugu and Tamil industries sent a collective message — art transcends boundaries, languages and cultures. Rajnikant, Dasari Narayana Rao, Jayaprada, Prakash Rai, Prabhudeva and Rama Naidu shared the dais with the Kannada film fraternity and spoke in one voice against politicization of cinema.

'Politics is like an ocean, while film industry is a pond. If the ocean can’t solve its problems, how can a small pond do it?' asked Rajnikant. On Sunday, Kamal Haasan had appealed to keep politics away from cinema.

One person was sorely missed during the celebrations: Rajkumar. Every speaker remembered and praised him, from Jayaprada to Prakash Raj to ministers Shobha Karandlaje and Katta Subramanya Naidu.

Rajnikant, who was present till the end of the three-hour programme, advised Kannada film-makers to make films based on novels and stories available in Kannada.

'The industry has produced monumental films based on novels of writers like Ta Ra Su and Indira. There are so many great works by Kuvempu, Shivaram Karanth and Bendre. I don’t know why they are not being utilized. It makes me sad.'

RAJNI’S WISH TO PLAY AS DALAWAYI!

The Tamil superstar expressed his desire to work in a Kannada film. “I want to act in Dalawayi Muddanna. It suits my character. I love that character. I don’t know when I will be able to do it. I don’t know when God wills,’’ said Rajnikant.



Bangalore Times - Wednesday

‘Idu nanna bhagya’
Rajnikanth wows the crowd at the Amrutha Mahotsava celebrations

LATE aa vandalum latesta varuven. Probably why Rajnikanth, who was unable to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Amrutha Mahotsava, made up by attending the celebrations on day 2. “Thirty-five years ago, I never thought I’d be participating in the 75th year celebrations of Kannada films, and also honour all the great talents of this industry. Idu nanna bhagya,” said the actor.
The superstar, who spent his early years in Bangalore as a bus conductor before moving to Chennai, said he used to read many novels while he was here. “I liked them more than my school books,” he said. Rajni’s all-time favourites are Kannada writers Tarasu and Triveni. “I love Kambani Kuyilu, which I’ve read four times,” he added.
Reminiscing about Puttanna Kanagal’s contribution to the industry, Rajnikanth mentioned movies he admired of the late filmmaker, including Sharapanjara, Gejje Pooje and Belli Moda. “Other movies like Vamsha Vruksha and Chomana Dundi are amazing too,” he said.

Rajni, who’s known for his spiritual leanings, fondly recollected the devotional portrayals of the late matinee idol Dr Rajkumar. “His roles like Santa Tukarama and Purandaradasa are truly memorable. They developed the bhakti in me. I truly miss Annavru,” confessed Rajnikanth.
The actor also expressed a desire to play the role of warrior Dalavayi Muddanna in his lifetime. “I hope god permits me to do so,” he said.
Rajnikanth also endorsed Kamal Haasan’s view when it came to politics. “Politics and films are like an ocean and a pond. Don’t mix the two. We in tinseltown should live like brothers and sisters,” was his word of advice.


Director Nagabharana’s plans of making Dalvayi Muddanna were quashed when the producer of the film backed out a couple of years ago. When we asked Nagabharana if he’d like to revive the project now that Rajni’s expressed an interest to essay the role of Dalavayi he told us, “If he wishes to do it and the plans work out, I’d love to do it.”

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