Actor Chandrasekhar may very well end up justifying the name DMK leader M. Karunanidhi gave him if he ends up winning the election from Velachery constituency here on May 16.
The actor was christened ‘Vagai’ Chandrasekhar by the DMK president to tell him apart from the several other namesakes in the party.
Why ‘Vagai’? There is an interesting story behind this. Mr. Chandrasekhar’s native place is Vagaikulam in Tuticorin district, and the also signifies victory as in the olden times warriors victorious in battle were adorned with flowers of the Vagai tree.
The actor has acted in more than 300 films and won several awards, including a national award for Nanba Nanba . However, social activism was his first interest, he says.
“Even before entering the drama and film industries in 1975, I had participated in anti-Hindi protests in 1967 and was actively involved in the Periyar Iyakkam [Self-Respect Movement]. More than calling myself an actor, I am proud to call myself a DMK man.”
In the middle of an intense political campaign in Velachery at present, Mr. Chandrasekhar says: “Though I have been a resident of the city for 45 years, I have been staying in Adyar [which is part of the Velachery constituency] for more than 20 years and so many people in Adyar locality know me well.”
Asked if expected a nomination, the actor-turned-politician says it is also for a reason — heavy flooding that caused misery to the people last year.
“Despite Velachery becoming a prominent locality in the city, its residents suffered a lot during the last year’s flooding. My son Harshan was actively involved in helping out the flood-affected residents during the calamity.”
If elected, Mr. Chandrasekhar says he will prioritise the setting up of adequate flood prevention/protection mechanisms by completing the construction of the underground channel on the Taramani Link Road. Other civic projects too will be high on his priority list.
