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NT Bureau
Chennai, Dec 24:
 

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi releasing the 'Periyar' audio cassette.

        Using a God-sent opportunity to pep up their image as ruling-class friendly, popular actors convinced a large gathering that a career in politics was not ruled out for them.

        A perfect stage then it was at the audio launch of Tamil film Periyar yesterday at Kalivanar Arangam to air political messages loud and clear long enough to keep Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in good humour. Fun and satire mixed freely with actor Sathyaraj leading from the front in a vitriolic diatribe against those who plotted the desecration of Periyar statue in Srirangam recently.

        Deeming everyone as the disciple of Periyar, he had a dig at the ones who tried to dismantle the statue of their tallest leader. 'If they had faith in God, why take the matter to the jurisprudence,' he queried. In a lighter vein, he informed that he had to strive hard to meet the demanding expectations from director Gnana Rajasekaran (for Periyar), after actors like Kamal Haasan having set high benchmarks in acting.

        In line with the tempo of the event, Kamal Haasan said Karunanidhi was his first Tamil teacher. 'I thank my family for becoming Periyar's disciple. Of all my awards, I cherish the recent title of Rationalist bestowed in Kerala. Director R C Shakthi had a role to play in that though he has changed tracks,' he said.

        Kamal stood corrected when Chief Minister butted in to say that 'Sakthi only changed his principles.' Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani recalled the turbulent phase of Periyar's life taking all odds with a deadpan expression. 'Nothing could stop him from voicing his rights and wrongs invited chappals and rotten eggs with a sullen smile behind his white beard,' he said.

        Pleased to be part of history, Kushboo said Periyar was the best thing to have happened in her 20-year film sojourn. 'My life's ambition is fulfilled though the tinge of regret is in Thankar Bachan refusing to shoot my portions. Both of us are sensitive persons, he one notch above me,' she said.

        Reading out the lines he had penned for Periyar in the early 70s, Karunanidhi said Periyar's deeds could never be captured by way of a novel or short stories. 'Periyar has left the right student in Veeramani to continue the good work.,' he said. He assured the ruling party would follow the principles of Periyar and C N Anna, the Dravidian ideologues.

        Future generation would get to know Periyar better after it finds a place in the school textbooks. Even after 100 years, Periyar would be talked about as a great leader in history, he said. As a parting shot, Karunanidhi said he was hopeful of taking part in the 100th day function of Periyar.