‘Aatha’ leads the AIADMK’s charge in Pallavaram

When voters meet the AIADMK’s candidate from Pallavaram, they immediately recognise her.

C.R. Saraswathi is well known for playing the villainous mother in actor-director K. Bhagyaraj’s Enga Chinna Rasa .

“Even now people identify me with that character and call me ‘Aatha’, which is how Bhagyaraj Sir addressed me in that film,” says Ms. Saraswathi, who has acted in over 85 Tamil and Telugu films, and acted in plays directed by directors Visu and Mouli.

The actor, who is making her electoral debut this time, has been busy with campaigns not just in Pallavaram but also other constituencies as she is one of the star campaigners of the ruling party.

Before the election date was announced, she was the party’s face on television channels, defending it against critics.

A great fan of AIADMK founder MGR, she grew up watching the legendary actor-politician on the giant screen. Later on, acted in Mr. Bhagyaraj’s films, hoping that she will get to meet him.

“That dream, however, never became true. But I consider it a blessing to have met the Chief Minister, who has acted with him and is his political heir,” she says.

She joined the AIADMK in 1999, impressed by Ms. Jayalalithaa’s leadership.

Asked about the constituency, Ms. Saraswathi says that many voters in Pallavaram still recall that they voted for MGR when he contested from St. Thomas Mount (Parangimalai constituency).

“The women voters are with AIADMK since they are impressed by the women-centric schemes. I want to ensure that there is a great reach for the Chief Minister’s schemes.”