A group of theater artists from all over Tamil Nadu dressed up as Rajinikanth characters from several of his films on the occasion of the superstar’s birthday.
“Raaman andaalum, Raavanan aandaalum enakkoru kavala ille” (Whoever is the ruler, Rama or Ravana, I don’t care). Rajinikanth’s hit song from the movie Mullum Malarum plays before Muneesh picks up his mobile phone. It’s not just your phone that has ‘Thalaivar’ vibes. Muneesh is one of the many Rajinikanth impersonators who flocked to Chennai’s Poes Garden in hopes of seeing the superstar. The actor and now politician Rajinikanth turned 70 on Saturday.
Wishes came from various quarters, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the actor, who had his ardent fans gather in front of his residence in hopes of greeting him on his birthday. Among them was a group that had several Rajinikanths.
There were Rajini ‘Baba’, Rajini ‘Enthiran’, Rajini ‘Arunachalam’, Rajini ‘Padayappa’, Rajini ‘Annamalai’, then a couple more Rajinis ‘Arunachalam’ and a Rajini ‘Manick Baasha’ among others. The ‘casual look’ Rajini complete with the superstar’s signature white kurta pajama set, between ‘Arunachalam’ Rajini and ‘Annamalai’ Rajini is Erode ‘Rajini’ Muneesh.
“We are all performing artists from all over Tamil Nadu,” Muneesh, 44, tells TNM by phone. He insists that he should be identified as Erode ‘Rajini’ Muneesh, a native of the western district of Tamil Nadu and touring the state as part of dance groups performing for the public. Wherever your art takes you, Muneesh goes. But if there is an annual ritual that you make sure not to miss, it is your Thalaivar’s birthday. Every year he travels to Chennai to celebrate Rajinikanth’s birthday.
“I have been a Thalaivar fan for as long as I can remember. I have performed as a dancer for the last 27 years and I also perform as Thalaiavr at times, ”he says. Preparation to bring together a group of Rajinikanth impersonators began in January 2020, when Muneesh started a small WhatsApp group to connect with other artists, who also act as film imitators and political stars such as the former Tamil Nadu MG Chief Minister. Ramachandran. Muneesh, however, dresses only as Rajinikanth as her face is suitable to look like her superstar, she says.
“The group grew slowly and now we have 75 artists putting on makeup to look like popular actors and entertain audiences. We call ourselves ‘Thalaivar Thondars’ ”, he adds.
‘Rajini for CM’
This year, Muneesh’s journey has been to seek Rajinikanth’s approval to campaign on behalf of the star inside Tamil Nadu for the 2021 Assembly elections. “Thalaivar can’t go everywhere. That is why we are here. We will dress like Thalaivar and go to the villages and campaign on her behalf. We will get the votes of the people and help him become the prime minister of Tamil Nadu, ”explains Muneesh.
Although the group waited in front of Rajinikanth’s home for a long time on Saturday, they returned to their hometowns disappointed that the actor and politician did not meet any of his fans on his birthday.
Rajinikanth recently announced that he will launch his political party in January and appointed Tamilaruvi Manian and Ra Arjunamurthy to oversee affairs until the party’s launch. His announcement comes at a significant time in the state, as Tamil Nadu is preparing for the Assembly elections in 2021.
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