Debutant Captain to play new role

Chennai, May 11 (UNI) With film star Vijayakanth's spectacular debut on the political turf at Vridhachalam, just months after launching his own party 'Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam'(DMDK) in September last, Kollywood's affinity with Tamil Nadu politics has been cemented.

'Captain,' as he is affectionately called after a hit film of a similar name, Vijayakanth may not be comparable to MGR or NTR, the stalwarts who saw their newly formed parties sweeping to power in 1977 and 1983 in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, respectively.

But the new Tamil Nadu Assembly will have additional glamour with a few new 'star' MLAs alongside AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa, who will sit in the opposition benches this term.

His first film as hero, 25 years ago 'Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam,' echoing the 'murasu' (drum) symbol allotted to the 'karuppu MGR' (dark-skinned MGR) brought him into the limelight.

Vijayakanth's debut has been 'thundering'. In fact, the hero at Vridhachalam had made his debut as a villain in 'Inikkum Illamai' in 1979 before switching to playing the typical Indian commercial film hero roles, competing with his contemporary superstars Rajnikanth and Kamal Hassan. However, unlike Rajni and Kamal, Vijaykanth has only more of flops at the box-office.

In his 125 film career, one of them 'Perarasu,' meaning a 'big emperor', is yet to be released, stuck in a financial imbroglio.

Though he was hoping to emerge an 'emperor,' he has to be content with a courtier's role.

But he can certainly be happy at cutting into the vote share of the arch rivals AIADMK and DMK. Throughout his campaign, the actor attracted good crowds.

The determined actor has been come a long way, 'drumming' his way into Fort St.George.

Vijaykanth's win was also significant as instead of choosing a safe constituency in his home town Madurai, he decided to take on a PMK candidate in the Vanniyar dominated Vridhachalam constituency.

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