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S. V Srinivas
The cinema in India is characterized by the complex if tenuous linkages between film viewing and a range of other publicly staged activities that include participation in conventional political activities. Film stars today are a considerable presence in election campaigns. However, it is only when we shift our focus to south Indian cinemas that we can tell the difference between the overall trend to buttress political parties with charismatic figures drawn from various walks of life (cricket players, television personalities, singers) and the considerably longer history of the film star's imbrication with mobilization.
I will propose that the problem posed by the ???south Indian??? variety of stardom is brought into sharp focus by the presence of highly organized fan clubs dedicated to the promotion of film stars. These organizations, which are unique to the region, came under critical examination only in the wake of the Tamil star M.G. Ramachandran's (MGR) success in electoral politics but have had a history that pre-dated his political career (Hardgrave and Niedhart 1975). Neither the degree of organization of fan clubs nor their involvement in politics, by way of campaigning for stars or parties they stood for, had any precedent. Major films stars in south India have thousands of associations dedicated to promoting them. These associations are almost always formed by young urban men who engage in a range of activities from providing free publicity to their idol's films to group viewing of his / her films to charitable work in the name of the star.1
Also characteristic of south Indian stardom is its close linkages with the politics of linguistic identity. In three states of the region film stars have emerged as major public figures (and on occasion as successful politicians) as representatives of the interests of a linguistic community. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh the film industry's leading male stars M.G. Ramachandran and N.T. Rama Rao (NTR) formed their own political parties that were avowedly dedicated to protecting the interests of their respective linguistic communities. In neighbouring Karnataka the star Rajkumar, whose death in April 2006 from natural causes triggered riots in Bangalore, didn't enter the electoral arena but nevertheless remained one of the most visible symbols of...