TWO GREAT R’s- RAJINIKANTH AND RAHUL DRAVID

Rahul Dravid

He is having horrible last two years. His form in Test cricket has dipped to nadir. He was no more part of the one-day setup. I am very disappointed that he was not even a part of 30 players’ probable list for Champions Trophy (which is now postponed to next year). There is nothing wrong in developing a team for future. But players like Rahul should be given a graceful farewell and not snubbed. Realistically speaking Rahul has very less chance of playing 2011 World Cup. As a fan, I wanted him to be part of the team for Champions Trophy (which is next big one-day event after World Cup). India winning the Champions Trophy and Rahul being Man-of-the match in the finals will be a great end to his one-day career. It is one of my wish.

Fitness wise he can play Test Cricket for atleast two more years. He may not be athletic but he is the fittest among the seniors. Only the form is deserting him. There were many calls for his retirement. Considering the replacements available (Only Badrinath is seriously pushing for a place in the middle order and Rohit Sharma is atleast a season of first-class experience short) Rahul should be playing Test cricket atleast for a year. I hope Rahul will be back to his match-winning ways from the series against Australia till he retires. I expect few more Adelaide’s, Leeds’s, Kingston’s and Kolkatta’s from his bat till he retires. I expect his retirement from both forms of cricket to be graceful and eventful. It must be similar to that of Don Bradman (not the score), Steve Waugh, Warne and McGrath.

Some of my wishes and hopes may appear a joke for some people. But this man deserves these wishes to become true. He is the one who first fulfilled the desires of many fans like me: Consistent victories in overseas and respectability for Team India. He donned the role of wicket-keeper when team needed him. He donned the role of opener when the team needed him. He played himself as a floater in one-day cricket and thus provided opportunities for others to blossom. He was the most loyal deputy ever in cricketing history. He is the greatest match-winner ever to be play for India and also selfless. I don’t know whether I believe in God or not but I request “God, please make all my wishes listed here to become true.”

Someone who has not done anything big in cricket except for his limited achievements in shorter and shortest version of the game has got ‘Khel Ratna’ award in his very third year of international cricket. But Rahul who has contributed to India in both forms consistently for many years was not awarded ‘Khel Ratna’ yet. I hope atleast people of future generations (people in 2050 and after) recognize his contribution and give him the accolades he truly deserves.

Superstar Rajinikanth

Is the regret (so-called apology) expressed to defuse the tension in Karnataka a sin? Many Tamil chauvinists were claiming that Superstar has mortgaged the pride of Tamil Nadu to Karnataka. Many Tamil media were also propagating this chauvinistic thought. Time will teach these idiots a lesson.

Whenever Cauvery issue erupts in Tamil Nadu, the first thing to happen would be to roll the head of Superstar. During those times his commitment to Tamil Nadu and its people comes under scanner. At times I wonder whether the Cauvery issue is brought to corner Superstar rather than to solve it. When will these idiots think beyond regional boundaries?

Superstar got involved in the Kuselan project only to help his mentor K. Balachander. The film has “reportedly” caused losses to theatre owners and some distributors. Some of the theatre owners have demanded producers (Kavithalaya and Seven Arts) and main distributor (Pyramid Saimira) to return back major part of the money they have paid as minimum guarantee (MG). They indirectly and cunningly blackmailed Superstar in this issue. Despite him not being a producer, Superstar has reportedly offered 70 million rupees from his own pocket to compensate the losses. Somehow this issue has been sorted out. Some of the local vernacular media has added fuel to this issue by reporting wrong information and unnecessarily bringing disrepute to name of Superstar.

Even after all these unnecessary issues, it is amazing that Superstar has maintained absolute calmness. In the film ‘Annamalai’ there is a dialogue “உன் மனசுக்கு எல்லாமே நல்லபடியா நடக்கும்”. In real life too, Superstar will come out with a bang. My favorite actor and favorite director (Shankar) will make “எந்திரன்” (The Robot) a grand success.

Similarities between Rajini & Rahul

• Both are my favorite personalities.
• Both are Winners. When Superstar acts, the film is a definite blockbuster. When ‘The Wall’ scores runs Team India wins. (தலைவர் நடிச்சா அந்த படம் ஜெயிக்கும். நம்ம டிராவிட் அடிச்சா நம்ம டீம் ஜெயிக்கும்)
• Superstar showed the world the reach of a Tamil film and its world market. Rahul showed the world that Indians can win abroad consistently.
• Both have Tamil-Marathi-Karnataka connection. Rahul’s paternal ancestors are from Tanjore. His mother is a Marathi lady. He lives in Bangalore and plays for Karnataka Ranji team. Whereas Superstar Rajinikanth is a Marathi by birth, brought up in Bangalore and was a conductor in Karnataka Transport Corporation. He rose to fame in Tamil Nadu and settled in Chennai.