Who is Tamil Nadu’s favourite Chief Minister? Clue: The name starts with P. No, it’s neither of the two names you’re likely to guess. It is Pugazhendi, the character Arjun played in Mudhalvan. Like Pugazhendi, there have been several interesting politicians in reel life — some corrupt, some ambitious and some righteous. With political thriller Yaman hitting screens recently, Metroplus takes a look at how Tamil cinema dealt with such subjects.
Film: Mudhalvan
Candidate: Pugazhendi (Arjun)
He occupied the corridors of power for a single day and did wonders. He ensured that college women were safe and corruption eradicated.
Pugazhendi gets our nod because he is, after all, not a politician. He is one among us, someone who likes to lie on his mother’s lap after a hard day at work and one who stealthily takes off during the weekends to meet the girl he loves. But he is also the one among us who outrages when there’s a burning issue in society and desperately wants to do something about it. And that makes him more than qualified to lead the State.
Film: Aayitha Ezhuthu
Candidate: Michael Vasanth (Suriya)
How exhausting is it to see politicians don white all the time? Would you fancy a youngster wearing a cool denim shirt and jeans?
Add firebrand to that and you have Michael. For youngsters looking for a voice to take on the old and the corrupt, he might be an ideal choice; he is an influential student leader who has immense clout among the youth. Imagine a 2017 version of Michael Vasanth, now also a major player in social media platforms besides fine-tuning his oratorical skills, leading youngsters who want to make a difference in their quest to make the world a better place to live in.
Film: Kodi
Candidate: Kodi/Anbu (Dhanush)
You vote for him and you’re voting for two people. You get Kodi, who eats and sleeps politics. Not many people can outsmart this wily fox in the game, but be wary of his heart; it is known to flutter into the opposite camp. You also get Anbu, a professor, who is just like me or you. But unlike us, Anbu is capable of turning into his brother if ever the time arises. Do you want to let this flag fly high?
Film: Ko
Candidate: Vasanthan Perumal (Ajmal Ameer)
Young blood isn’t something we find too much of in our politics. How about infusing the dirty game with a young and educated engineer like Vasanthan Perumal? Perfectly capable of garnering public sentiment with the ability to switch to his true colours like a chameleon, Perumal could perhaps be a more practical choice compared to utopian heroic figures. Vote for his ‘siragugal’ symbol if you agree.
Film: Amaidhi Padai
Candidate: Nagaraja Cholan (Sathyaraj)
Manivannan in 'Nagaraja Cholan MA MLA'
There’s that group of people who sincerely believe you need to be wily, and even cunning to an extent, in order to succeed in politics. For that gang, though it might well be a minority, there’s Ammavasai. Sorry, we meant Nagaraja Cholan. Imagine how much he could do for a state, if he was wily and good. So, if you believe in the old style of politics, you have Nagaraja Cholan 2.0 to root for.
