TN rivals share stage at Sivaji Ganesan memorial inauguration

The inauguration of a memorial in the honour of one of Tamil Nadu's enduring icons, Sivaji Ganesan, saw political rivals and film stars, including Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, share the stage here today.
The Rs 2.80-crore memorial in the late actor's honour was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.
This is the first time that Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, who have both hinted at taking a political plunge, shared the stage with members of the state Cabinet after Haasan attacked the ruling AIADMK on issues such as corruption and the spread of dengue.
At the forefront of the government's counter-attack on Haasan was Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar.

Jayakumar today sprang a surprise when he repeatedly urged the national award winner to come on to the stage when he was seated in the audience.
After Haasan did so and was seated with Panneerselvam, Rajinikanth and other ministers, Jayakumar even honoured the actor with a shawl.

The minister has been critical of Haasan's political ambitions, but in his address said that even in the Assembly he would not fail to hobnob with opposition members though he would have been critical of them.
Jayakumar had recently criticised Haasan for his political aspirations, saying one should do public service and gradually rise up the ranks to reach the top position.

'Baahubali' actor Sathyaraj put things in perspective when he said today's function revolved around "one focal point called Sivaji Ganesan" and therefore, all the political and other differences had taken a back seat.
The life and times of Ganesan seemed to have prompted Rajinikanth to make some remarks on cinema stars' entry into politics, especially that of Kamal Haasan.
He said fame and clout earned in the world of cinema were not enough to help one make a mark in politics and stressed that there was something beyond these attributes that ensured success in public affairs.
The 'Kabali' star said Haasan probably knew what that something was, but might not want not share the secret with him.

To press his case, Rajinikanth cited the instance of the late thespian, saying that he could not succeed in politics despite being immensely popular.
"Sivaji (Ganesan) has left a lesson not just in cinema but also in politics. He started his own political party, fought and lost (elections) from his own constituency. This was not an insult to him, but the people of that constituency," he said at the function, attended by Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Haasan, among others.
"So, the message is, to succeed in politics, it's not enough to just have fame and clout (earned in cinema). There is something beyond that... I don't know what it is," he said, adding that Kamal Haasan possibly knew what this was.

"But even if he knows it, he won't share it with me," he said, as the gathering laughed.
Tamil Nadu has had a rich history of cinema marrying politics. Ganesan's contemporary M G Ramachandran, not only floated AIADMK after walking out of the M Karunanidhi-led DMK, but also went on to become the state Chief Minister.
The late J Jayalalithaa is another example of a former star going on to lead the state.
Of late, both Haasan and Rajinikanth have been indicating that they may join politics, with Haasan taking repeated potshots at the ruling AIADMK over issues such as corruption and the spread of dengue.

AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had met Haasan here recently but while their meeting triggered speculation about a political alignment, the two did not make any announcements.
At the event today, Rajinikanth said Haasan might have shared with him the secret to success in politics "if I had asked for it two months ago".
"He might have shared it. When I say you (Haasan) are senior to me in cinema, and are like an elder brother and ask him to share that with me, he says come with me I will tell," he said.
Haasan had recently reportedly said he had held talks with Rajinikanth amid rumours that the two would join hands politically.

Heaping praise on Ganesan, Rajinikanth said the memorial, and an earlier statue put up in his honour by Karunanidhi when he was chief minister, were not installed only because he was an actor.
Such honours were in recognition of the fact that Ganesan brought to life freedom fighters and kings with his onscreen performance and took them to the masses, he said.
Rajinikanth recalled that Ganesan had 'vibuthi' (sacred ash) on his forehead "at a time when atheism was at its peak".
"He touched great heights only due to his performances," he said.
Rajinikanth thanked Jayalalithaa for the memorial and Karunanidhi for the earlier installation of a statue on the Marina, which has since been shifted here.

Rajinikanth also said Panneerselvam was "fortunate" to have been able to inaugurate the memorial.
"Panneerselvam is very fortunate, it has been proved many times,"he said in an obvious reference to him being made Chief Minister thrice-- twice when Jayalalithaa was convicted in different court cases and later after her death in December 2016.
Rajinikanth also said Panneerselvam was "fortunate" to have been able to inaugurate the memorial.
"Panneerselvam is very fortunate, it has been proved many times," he said in an obvious reference to the leader being made chief minister thrice-- twice when Jayalalithaa was convicted in different court cases, and later after her death in December 2016.

Haasan, who is at loggerheads with the ruling AIADMK, said Ganesan was an actor who had "transcended" all kinds of boundaries -- political, regional and national.
"If I had not been in cinema, I would have been a fan and even if I was not allowed entry here, I would have been waiting (outside). None could have stopped me," he said.
Any government has to respect "this great artiste and they will respect him... No need to compel or plead with anyone...It will happen by itself," he said in an apparent reference to the controversy surrounding today's function.
Earlier, many sections, including Ganesan's actor son Prabhu, opposition DMK and fans of the late star had demanded that top government leaders, including Chief Minister K Palaniswami, inaugurate the building.

Originally Jayakumar and Information Minister Kadambur Raju were supposed to have led the event.
Palaniswami had later clarified that he could not attend the function because of prior commitments, even as he expressed respect and admiration for Ganesan. He, however, deputed Panneerselvam to inaugurate the building.
Haasan thanked the "film world, government and politics for allowing" him to felicitate Ganesan today.
Panneerselvam recalled how Ganesan had earned the title 'Sivaji' from rational leader, the late E V Ramasamy Periar, after his appearance as the Maratha king in a play.
The iconic actor, recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phakle award, among others, was known for his clear diction and performance and was etched in the hearts of Tamil people for his power-packed performances in films such as 'Parasakthi', 'Manohara' and 'Veerapandia Kattabomman', he said.

Ganesan and AIADMK founder and yesteryear megastar Ramachandran were like brothers, he said.
Listing out Ganesan's international recognition, he said that he was made Sheriff of Niagara City in 1962 when he visited the US as cultural ambassador while he was the only individual who was allowed to meet former Egypt President Gamal Abdel Nasser during his India visit.