CHENNAI: Naan kuri vaithaal thavara maatten! Thavarumaanal kuri vaikka maatten. (I will not miss if I aim! I will not aim if I were to miss.)
Such is the legacy of legendary actor-turned politician MG Ramachandran that his political statements are still in currency, even 39 years after his death. And, giving life to his oft-quoted statements this election were his lookalikes like Praveen Kumar. For the small-time actor, the poll season is a time to earn some extra bucks.
Busy campaigning for former health minister C Vijayabaskar in Viralimalai in Pudukkottai district, Kumar termed his “acting work” stretches from 4pm to 10 pm, earning him anywhere between Rs 2,000 to Rs 3000 a day.
“When there is no election, I get events occasionally, at temples and or those arranged for MGR’s birth anniversary. Food and accommodation will be taken care of by those who rope me in, and the money I get helps me pay my debts,” he said.
The lookalike of MGR apart, there were many others out in the field, imitating the mannerisms and the very persona of iconic figures like Jayalalithaa, Kamal Haasan, M Karunanidhi and the like, and the political parties pay them handsomely to add that extra buzz to their campaigns.
B Viji, who dresses up as former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, said the amount of money she gets depend on the political party and the location of the campaign. “For an entire day of campaigning, some parties give Rs 10,000.
There are many who earn around Rs 1 lakh for campaigning for 15 days,” she said, adding after the election season she would be back to her routine job of side actor in serials.
E Vadivelu, who also dress up as MGR and was campaigning in Saidapet Constituency for AMMK candidate G Senthamizhan on Sunday, said during elections he get steady income.
But for Kumar, it’s not just about steady income, as he said elections are the only time when they get so much attention. “People even come to us and request for selfies. There is so much craze for MGR, and some even invite us home for lunch or tea,” he said with a smile.
With the Assembly election campaign getting over, the small-time actors have made their share of money, and have started their wait for the next election years down the line, aiming not to miss the chance to earn some extra income.