The Name is Rajinikanth: A Book Review
Vedavyasa Bhat reviews latest biography of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth
Is there anything Rajini ‘kant’ do ?
The Name is Rajinikant
Shivaji Rao Gaekwad’s journey from Bangalore to super stardom as Rajinikanth in Chennai culminating in the success of his latest blockbuster ‘Sivaji” is the tale covered in this book . The movie has garnered over INR 300 Crores and has reinforced Rajini’s standing as the highest paid actor in India (and Asia too I think along with Jackie Chan). His next film “Robot’ by Shankar starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is reportedly being made for INR 100 Crores. There was a time when he had announced retirement from acting and was going to the Himalayas. There was a time when rumours were rampant that he is entering politics. There was a time when he allegedly was offered a chance to lead politics in Tamil Nadu and become the Chief Minister. His friction with the political supremo Jayalitha is well known. There was also a time when his films flopped at the box office and he returned the money to film distributors. The story of a toughie-turned-bus-conductor-turned-millionaire-superstar is a fantasy for many and therefore the interest in this hardbound (INR 495/-) first edition is understandable.
The book gives you the childhood of Rajini, his early years, his youth with comments from various people who knew him, notably his friend Raj Bahadur a bus driver in Bangalore’s own BTS (now BMTC). Old Bangaloreans travelling the 10 and 10A bus number routes still remember Rajini, the bus conductor for his unique style and body language as a bus conductor.
Sadly, the book while being a collection of various tales of Rajini (which if you know any Rajini fan, you would have heard of) does not enter into the soul of the persona of Rajinikanth possibly because it is a biography and not an autobiography. The book has repeated grammatical errors and factual errors such as the names of places in Bangalore etc. It is obvious that the author’s research is limited to here-say and there has been no walk through like most authors would do. While I understand that criticism is easy and I respect the efforts of the author I do not see the passion for cinema and the efforts justifying the magnitude of the personality that is Rajini showing in this book. The storytelling is disjoint and contains numerous cliches. Dr Sreekanth, couldn’t you have put some more efforts? And what was the editor from the publisher (Om Books) doing ? Maybe they were all in awe of the subject.
Sadly, this is no way to do justice to one of the greatest Cinematic Icons of India. The book does give interesting tales. Fortunately I have heard some of these tales during my years of growing up and from a colleague, an ardent fan of Rajini. These tales and more are there in the book. How did he get his name Rajinikanth ? Why was he part of a cycle chain wielding gang in Bangalore? Is it true he slept on the footpath in Chennai during his initial days ? How did he meet his wife ? Why did he choose to give up acting and go to the Himalayas ? What was his flirtations with politics ? Does he move about in disguise? What was his friendship with another cinematic great Dr. Rajakumar? All these and more tales that generate awe, inspire you, and create complex dilemmas in your mind are there in this book.
“Na oru thaddava sonna, nooru thoddava sonna madi” (If I tell once, it is like I have said a hundred times), his famous line from Basha (I think) does not apply to this book, unfortunately. Rajinikanth is an enigma and remains so even after this book. Can there ever be a book written that explains the phenomenon that he is ? I think not. Meanwhile lets just be amazed by the man, and the actor. As for the author, better luck next time. Do some justice to the subject chosen madam.What hurts most is the lack of passion and purpose!
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hi
i liked the book too., you are correct, she should have included all the interviews in the book. but in one interview of sreekanth she is quoted to have said the interviews were slashed out.
that could have added authenticity to the book. may be they could do in the second edition. the child hood days were well covered, she could have maintained the same tempo in the second half.
good work, shoddy ed- that s how i summarise the book
any comments?
Hi.. Firsrt of all i want to appreciate the author “Dr. Gayathri Srikanth” for writing this book. Everybody will do some mistakes in his life it ’s not a big problem. so that the author also done some mistakes about the interviews of superstar. I thought that i have to read the history of rajanikanth but there are no boooks in papers only i read it.. as gods grace the author has written the book and satisfied me.. ones again thanks to the author… I love u Superstar…………………………….
I truly don’t understand all the fascination with Rajini Kant… Ok i agree he was & is a good actor but hes now old…He must atleast play a role his age…Hey is that a blonde wig i see him wering?…Man what next???