From the Viewsroom: Have you been Kabalified?

Even his most ardent fans will find it hard to explain the thalaivar (boss-man) phenomenon. Most of them would also most likely brush aside the spiralling debate on whether the Kabali fever has been overrated with a ‘so what’ attitude. It is true that the hype and hullaballoo raised this time around upon the release of Rajnikanth’s latest film has indeed been fanatical, what with Air Asia flying in a plane to bring the actor’s fans for a special show, a bus running with Rajinikanth’s photographs splashed all over, and fans scouring the streets and multiplexes to catch the first-day shows. There have also been reports of thousands of fans anointing humongous wooden cutouts of the star with milk, and others thronging cinema halls before midnight to celebrate the release of the film! Social networks have been abuzz with memes, spoof videos and teasers reflecting the thalaivar ’s magic.

Have people gone overboard? Maybe. But there is a childlike innocence that is hard to miss. A middle-aged professional holding a ticket in his hand for the first-day show with the exact twinkle in the eye that you see when a child lays his hands on a prized toy, is not something that you see every day. People coming together and celebrating the event has also been a heart-warming experience. Of late, the mood around festivities whether Diwali or Pongal has not only been sober but has also carried a tinge of indifference which is disturbing. But in the past month, people have crawled out of their shells, their busy lives and somewhat staid existence to celebrate life, to make room for tiny pleasures and happy experiences, specifically the anticipation of a thalaivar film. It may not be a great cause, but does it matter as long as it imbues people with renewed energy and showcases the spirit of the city?

Radhika Merwin, Deputy Chief of Research Bureau

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