Why Tamil movie heroes become politicians
Fan clubs can quickly become get-out-the-vote operations
Around christmas in 1987, 30 people in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu killed themselves. Some swallowed poison, others set themselves on fire. All were distraught at the death of their hero, M.G. Ramachandran, aged 70. “MGR” had been the state’s chief minister for a decade. To his acolytes, he was puratchi thalaivar, the revolutionary leader.
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This article appeared in the Christmas Specials section of the print edition under the headline “From star to power”
Christmas Specials December 23rd 2023
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