Speculations are rife that after Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam will collaborate with Rajinikanth, leaving fans excited. It would mark the duo’s reunion more than three decades after Thalapathi (1991) — a contemporary adaptation of the Mahabharata — which is the only film they’ve worked on together. The report further stated that the announcement for the same would be made on the Vettaiyan star’s birthday in December. However, it seems like there’s little truth to the story.
In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Mani’s wife, Suhasini Maniratnam, reveals that there has been no such conversation regarding this impending collaboration. “No, I don’t think even Rajinikanth and Mani know about it (laughs). It’s only people who’re writing about it,” she tells us.
Speaking about Rajinikanth and Kamal, Suhasini also comments on how their undying stardom has been stopping younger actors from carving a path for themselves, particularly in the Tamil film industry. “I’m worried about the young male actors. Between the Malayalam and Tamil film industries, our youngest top hero is 41 years old! I’m talking about Dhanush. What happened to all the Karthiks, the Prabhus, and the Mohans in the Tamil film industry?” she rues.
She further adds, “They did so well in their 20s, but today’s actors in their 20s are losing out on their prime years. They aren’t being noticed or offered good stories. Ashok Selvan, only now, is penetrating and coming forward. As for Harish Kalyan, only two of his films have done well, Lubber Pandhu and Parking. There’s no place for young male actors in Tamil cinema. Fans are going for films of actors who’re above 40.”
While she acknowledges the popularity of a handful of male actors in recent years, she believes it’s also the audience dictating this trend. “I’m older than these people I’m talking about, even Vikram, Karthi, Suriya, and Jayam Ravi. And yet, I feel that we need more success stories of young people in Tamil cinema. The male actors aren’t able to break in and make a name for themselves, and it’s even harder for the women,” she says.
So, what’s the solution then? “The movie-going public is predominantly men. 90 percent of them are men. They decide who’s important and whose films should work. Unless women start going for the night shows and these shows are filled by women, this trend of superheroes holding onto their positions will continue,” Suhasini asserts.
However, Suhasini, who recently made her OTT debut in Malayalam with SonyLIV’s Jai Mahendran, is happy that the web space is changing these norms for the better. “On OTT, this is the golden era for first-time filmmakers, cinematographers, and editors. The producers are welcoming of somebody who hasn’t done anything before. A new director is more respected if they’ve got a good story than a well-known director. Earlier, newer directors weren’t trusted. OTT doesn’t have to be as women-oriented as television or male-oriented as mainstream cinema. It’s people-oriented because the writing here is very different,” she remarks.
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