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Journalism of Courage
AT least, superstar Rajnikanth does not believe that imitation is the true form of flattery. The star, through a legal notice published recently, has prohibited anyone from imitating any of his screen portrayals, including the forthcoming Baba, for commercial purposes.
Rajni, who would be the favourite of any mimicry artiste, has also prohibited any person or firm from using his photographs, drawings, sketches and dressing specialties 8212; like scarves, collars, pendants, eardrops, etc 8212; for product branding. His stylised mannerisms with these accessories contribute in no mean degree to his cult status for legions of fans in India and abroad.
The move, which makes Rajni the first movie star to patent his histrionic specialities, comes as a rude shock to the Mimicry Club of the South, which thrives on imitating film stars.
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Rajni8217;s most famous mannerism is with the angavastram, traditionallyworn across the shoulders. Only Rajnikanth does it differently 8212;he places it, folded neatly, on his left wrist. And in regular intervalshe throws it in the air only to have it land back exactly the same place,fold intact. Many actors flick their hair obsessively. But when Rajni does it inthat quick jerky motion there is a definite difference. This one comes straight from the Westerns 8212; Rajnikanth8217;s featwith the cigarette. He tosses it in the air and it lands with great flourishwith in his mouth. His dance sequences are replete with a peculiar pelvic thrusts wherehis hips and legs move sideways. Story continues below this ad |
Sources speculate that the move might have something to do with Rajnikanth8217;s politically sensitive 1995 film Baasha, in which he made digs at Jayalalithaa8217;s government. Observers say that the legal notice might have been pre-empted by an apprehension of the AIADMK getting its own back with a rip-off of his soon-to-be released Baba now that it was back in power. They also don8217;t rule out the possibility of the move being in preparation for Rajnikanth8217;s own re-entry into active politics after lying low for some time.
But political manouvrings aside, the move has definitely upset other actors. 8216;8216;Actually, I do not understand why somebody should threaten legal proceedings for imitating him. We are doing it with full respect. His portrayal on the stage only speaks volumes for the regard he has among mimicry artistes,8217;8217; says K S Prasad, programme director of Kalabhavan. 8216;8216;We do not portray Rajni in a bad light. In fact, Rajni8217;s portrayal always invites a big cheer.8217;8217;
However, megastar Mammootty feels that Rajnikanth has done the right thing by patenting his trademark mannerisms. 8216;8216;He has all the freedom to insulate his identity from being commercialised. I am not sure whether it will have a binding effect on mimicry artistes as mimicry is simply the freedom of expression. Rajni is only taking a precaution to ensure that his image in Baba is not dragged on to the stage8217;8217;, Mammootty says.
While acknowledging that Hollywood stars have always resorted to legal proceedings to patent their signature mannerisms in cinema, Mammootty says that he is not interested in doing the same for himself.
