Film and Politics in India: Cinematic Charisma as a Gateway to Political Power (Film Cultures)

In the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, all five of the Chief Ministers since 1967 have been former actors. This provocative book debunks the notion of Bollywood as the synecdoche of Indian cinema to explore the hitherto less studied, yet highly influential cinema in South Asia. Developing the concept of the politics of sentiment, the author examines the ways in which actor-politicians constructed their cinematic charisma, projecting themselves as messiahs saving the people from injustices, to create a political appeal to voters. The resilience of cinematic charisma, as Indian society undergoes massive socio-economic changes, provides a compelling study of modern politics, cinema, celebrity and the culture of the subcontinent. Cover Acknowledgements Preface Table of Contents Chapter One. Cinematic Charisma and Political Dominance in Tamil Nadu Why Bollywood is not representative of Indian cinema! Tamil Nadu and its cinema Tamil cinema as cultural artefact Tamil-ness in Tamil cinema Politics and Tamil cinema Ordinary Tamils, extraordinary celebrity devotion Tamil cinema stars and Weber’s charisma Weber’s charisma theory applied to Tamil cinema Chapter Two. MGR: Saviour of the Masses Nadodi Mannan: film summary The MGR formula The construction of MGR Tamil nationalism The politics of sentiment Charisma of MGR Summary Chapter Three. Jayalalitha: Charisma of Complexion Early life Adimaip Penn: film summary Chastity and misdemeanours Colour, caste, and class The MGR – Jaya relationship in cinema and politics Charisma of Jayalalitha Summary Chapter Four. Rajinikanth: The Political Influence of a Mystical Sensation Heterodoxy of Rajinikanth Rajinikanth – Jayalalitha animosity Padayappa: film summary Characterisation Social discourse Conservative values The politics of sentiment and superstitions Charisma of Rajinikanth Smoking, drinking, and Rajinikanth Rajini’s films as a source of hope Summary Chapter Five. Vijayakanth: The Black MGR Vijayakanth, Rajinikanth, and MGR Captain Prabhakaran: film summary Charisma of Vijayakanth Violence, weapons, and instant justice Social discourse Rape, chastity, and conservative values The politics of sentiment Landscape Summary Chapter Six. Sarathkumar: The Rural Rambo Naattamai: film summary Problematising Naattamai Charisma of Sarathkumar The politics of sentiment Patriarchy, caste, and feudalism Social discourse Conservative values and superstitions Summary Chapter Seven. Actor-Politicians: Past, Present, and the Future Filmography Bibliography This book is one of the comprehensive studies about the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where all the Chief Ministers since 1967 have been former actors. By problematising the popular misconception that Bollywood is a synecdoche of Indian cinema, this book explores the cultural history of South India through the prism of films.