Message through punchlines!
CHENNAI: PUNCHtantra is not a book on Rajini but the impact of his one-liners - and that pretty much set the tone for the evening at Landmark, Ampa Mall, where a panel discussion was held on Rajinikanth’s on-screen one-liners. Already published as a book, the panel comprised of PC Balasubramanian, author of PUNCHtantra, publishers, eminent corporate professionals and film personalities. PC claims that the book, which was launched on Rajini’s birthday, December 12, has already sold over 10,000 copies, and soon every chapter of the book will become a series of episodes, soon to be telecast in Raj TV.
Speaking on the occasion, PC said, “At 61, Rajini has taken a new avatar – from a man of style to that of a management guru. In this book, his one-liners, rather ‘punch’ lines, have been used as nuggets to encourage everyone to follow certain management mantras in their professional and daily life.” As he narrated the story behind his maiden writing venture with Raja Krishnamoorthy, he expressed how emotional he became when he met the actor for the first time.
During the discussion, eminent personalities from various fields related their life and experience with Rajini’s punchlines. Sarath Babu, CEO of Food King, picked up one of Rajini’s popular one-liners from Padaiyappa – Kashtapadaama ethuvum kidaikathu, kashtapadama kidaikarathu ennaikume nilakaathu, and revealed how easily he can relate his life with it.
Also actor John Vijay narrated his first meeting with the superstar and how his one-liners have created an impact in his professional front. “En vazhi thanee vazhi is one of my favourite punchlines and I have followed the same in my life too. My first meeting with Rajini was on the similar lines. When everybody wanted to meet Rajini, I wanted to direct a film with him. But my approach was different. Instead of a visiting card, I used a Bisleri bottle with my company name on it. This impressed him and he gave me an appointment,” he revealed.
At the event, the most spoken one-liners by the personalities were En vazhi thanee vazhi from Padaiyappa and Naan oru thadava sonna nooru thadava sonna maadhiri from Basha.
On a final note, Raja Krishnamurthy said that though the book costs less, the value of the content in the book is important and powerful. “Rajini’s one-liners are still very popular, and when his words are used to say something, they have an impact.”