I once asked him why he hadn't written scripts for his sons Vineeth and Dhyan. 'I made some suggestions about their scripts, and they haven't discussed their scripts with me after that,' he said with his trademark laugh.
Whether it was in the company of superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan -- or, on rare occasions with both together, among others -- Saravanan's demeanour would stand out, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.
Thirty-six people, including eight children, 16 women died in a stampede at the actor-politician Vijay's rally in Karur on Saturday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said.
The 70-year-old actor was admitted to the hospital on December 25 with severe hypertension and exhaustion.
This is important because he is to be seen as a sure winner before criss-crossing the state to campaign for candidates of the party or an alliance, highlights N Sathiya Moorthy.
'Thanks Superstar @rajinikanth sir for your warm wishes and inviting, spending time and sharing your wisdom with us.'
The minister's reaction came days after Rajinikanth praised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for "managing" senior DMK leaders in the party.
Can Vijay's strategy. vision outshine other TN parties?
And has the perfect girl-next-door vibe.
Besides Tamil superstars like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, the wedding festivities of S Shankar's elder daughter Aishwarya and Tarun Karthikeyan saw a touch of Bollywood too.
Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale ends up being a flashy, aspirational celebrity lifestyle doc that is aimed for an evening of popcorn-fueled fan tribute entertainment, observes Arjun Menon.
The list of guests included celebrities from across the globe, politicians, the who's who of Hindi and south Indian cinema world and almost all the top cricketers of the country.
As Rajinikanth turned 73 on December 12, fans gathered outside his residence in Chennai to celebrate his birthday.
Here are some of the famous faces queued up to get ink mark on their fingers.
'Onscreen the most stylish and offscreen the most humble person I know, with qualities I always admire and aspire for. May you keep inspiring generations to come.'
The actor's gesture had kicked up an online storm, especially in Tamil Nadu, as many asked if it was okay for the 72-year-old actor to touch the feet of the much younger UP CM.
He was undergoing treatment and the end came in the afternoon following multiple organ failure, sources said.
Udhayanidhi's 'untimely' elevation as deputy CM may be used against the party, for critics to argue that the DMK's 'first family's is not concerned about anything else but their clan's welfare. If packaged and delivered properly, some of the sting may stick at election time, predicts N Sathiya Moorthy.
In private, questions are being raised about the wisdom of a 'dual-SIM' leadership during the long run-up to the 2026 assembly polls where 'family rule' could become an election issue, reports N Sathiya Moorthy.
The actor arrived in Lucknow on Friday night for the screening of his film 'Jailer'.
Three different invitations were sent out for the wedding and the receptions with top-run guests being sent a large red box that contained an intricate chest incorporating a mini silver temple featuring gold idols of various Hindu deities, including Lord Ganesh, Radha-Krishna, and Goddess Durga.
'Nine years ago, I had met Akhilesh at a function in Mumbai. Since then, our friendship has continued.'
Where do Vijay and his TVK expect to get their votes from? Vijay has a huge fan following among women, but will they automatically become his voters like they had done for MGR's AIADMK, asks N Sathiya Moorthy.
A new entrant, whether a popular actor or not, has not been able to sweep the polls, as their fans had hoped for. Given a proven pattern, it should hold true for Vijay as well. Or, something drastically has to happen between now and 2026, asserts N Sathiya Moorthy.
Even as Ponniyin Selvan: I arrives on OTT to enjoy a whole new audience after its theatrical release, its director Mani Ratnam threw a party.
Is the unusually and unbearably scorching Sun and the general laxity, bordering on laziness, among voters, responsible, asks N Sathiya Moorthy.
Notwithstanding record revenues in certain media sectors like film exhibition in the July-September quarter (second quarter, or Q2), the operational performance of the broadcasting business remained subdued. Zee Entertainment Enterprises and Sun TV are expected to experience a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) decline in advertising (ad) revenues during this period. Conversely, box office (BO) collections are anticipated to exceed Rs 3,000 crore in the quarter, propelled by a series of successful movie releases.
'Sri Ayodhyaji will emerge as the greatest centre of cultural togetherness, universal harmony, vasudeva kutumbakam, compassion, and love for every single living being on this Earth.'
Will Vijay will go the most successful MGR/Jayalalithaa way, or that of Vijayakanth, Seeman or Kamalahaasan, or will he end up as another Rajinikanth who cries wolf at the last minute and quits the scene even before it all had really begun, asks N Sathiya Moorthy.
Saif twins with his sons... Katrina-Vicky's 'loverly' celebration... Rajinikanth, Aishwarya and Diwali traditions...
Dhanush and Aishwaryaa have decided to part ways after being married for 18 years.
As Rajinikanth turns 69 on December 12, his family and friends took to social media to wish him. They posted pictures of the superstar and wrote touching notes.
The Tamil film industry won't forget Vijayakanth's large-heartedness, how he took care of fellow industry persons, male or female, rich or poor, young or old...recalls N Sathiya Moorthy. How he sent money quietly for the family of a stunt artiste to meet his funeral expenses, how he always ensured that all female co-stars, including junior artistes, had secure accommodation on outdoor shoots, and how he would always the first to rush help if anyone from the fraternity was in distress.
The team of doctors will evaluate him this afternoon and take a decision on his discharge, it added.
After raising Rs 10 crore in seed funding last week from investors like Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Freshworks founder Girish Mathrabootham and Silicon Valley based venture capitalist firm Hourglass Venture, Chennai-based social media startup Pepul told Business Standard that it is looking to raise around Rs 200 crore by June this year for expansion. The social media platform, focused on online ethical practices, will be launched by 1,000 entrepreneurs across the country on January 26. Pepul, founded by G Suresh Kumar, will be using an Aadhaar-based user verification system to get rid of fake accounts on its platform. "We are planning to raise around Rs 200 crore by June this year.
Superstar Rajinikanth on Friday underwent a procedure to restore blood supply to brain and he is recovering well, a hospital in Chennai that is treating him said.
The mega-star had been self-isolating at his farmhouse on the outskirts of Chennai ahead of the announcement of his political party on December 31.
In July, Karate Thiagarajan, former deputy mayor of Chennai and close aide of Rajinikanth, had revealed that the actor will launch his party in November, this year.
What is noticeable in both movies is the willingness with which both the ageing stars -- Kamal is 68 and Rajini, four years older at 72 with a kidney transplant that he has not shied away from acknowledging -- have learnt to respect their age and bodies, notes N Sathiya Moorthy.
Announcing his decision on Twitter, Rajinikanth said, "In the ensuing state assembly elections, with the tremendous support of the people, Tamil Nadu will have an honest, upright, transparent, corruption-free, secular spiritual political setup." "A marvel, miracle, it will happen," he wrote in Tamil. "We will change, we will change everything. If not now, then never."
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