Why are the South Indian actors so high on popularity? The thought
occurred when I was in Chennai some years back when I saw long queues of people
waiting for watching the first day first show of a new movie. People were
waiting the whole night for the opening show of a Tamil movie. Such is the popularity
of another South Indian actor Rajnikanth that I have heard some NRI’s coming to
India only to watch the movie in movie halls with the crowd. Watching Dhanush in
a new promo of the upcoming movie Raanjhanaa made me ponder on the same point
again. What is it about the South Indian actors that make them have such huge
fan following? Why do the other actors in Mumbai/ Bollywood, inspite having such
wide reach, not have popularity as loyal and dedicated as the South Indian
ones?
I believe that the image they have off screen has a great
deal to do this with. The Bollywood actors generally have larger than life
images even in the off-screen world. They generally want to live up to their on
screen image in their public life as well. In contrast, the off-screen image of
South Indian actors is that of simplicity, humility, unfussiness and down to
earth personality, totally in contrast to their on screen image. I think this
sets the South Indian actors apart from the other Bollywood actors. When one
looks at Rajnikanth without make-up, it is hard to believe that he is one of the
greatest actors ever born in this soil.
He always makes himself appear as one of us. I think this is what leads
to a connection with the fans. The look of Dhanush in the promos of Raanjhanaa
and what he is off screen is also similar.
I am generally not a huge follower of the movies and no ways
an expert in this. However, this proves that simplicity and humility are great
traits to win over hearts.
