Be it politics or protests, we Indians always ask for one person to stand in front and lead. Indian cinema happens to be no different. We all have our favourites.
Superstar is a term that is synonymous with large crowds, first-day collection records and die-hard fans. They are no less than gods. Salman Khan’s film hits the big screen, and all of us make our customary pilgrimage to theatres in order to catch all the action. Indian cinema has produced countless superstars. Initially, there was MGR. MGR got replaced by Rajni. Today, Rajni is the undisputed king of the South Indian film industry.
How does this unadulterated ecstasy develop? Maybe, some people tend to connect with the protagonist. There are times when the actor’s on-screen persona ends up captivating the masses. Rajni caught our imagination in Sivaji: The Boss.
Superstar eccentricity happens to be a distinguishing feature of the south Indian cinema. It varies in proportion from industry to industry with Tamil and Telugu industries leading the way. The lead protagonist pulls a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, lights it, and fights a bunch of bad guys. At times, over-the-top action ends up winning over meaty scripts.
My question is: How many Rajnikanths, Mohanlals or SRKs do we need? I have read a lot of articles written about superstar culture. We need good actors. An actor who prefers good scripts. Actors who can narrate gripping stories.
We need adrenaline-pumping action. The moment we enter a multiplex, we want to see the protagonist taking on the bad guys. Movies are a transient refuge. They take us away from the challenges of everyday life. No one cares about a good script. All we want is entertainment.
Superstar preference is something that happens to be associated with the silver screen. Netflix and Amazon do not provide us with a 70mm experience. The surround sound, the breathtaking visuals, the VFX, etc. capture our imagination. It’s all about having a good time with family and friends.
Getting to watch a movie on the big screen is an event. It’s like a party. Star worshipping is unavoidable and can be an enjoyable experience. After all, films are meant to provide viewers with entertainment. Watching Rajni taking on 50 goons is something all of us tend to enjoy.