Lessons from superstardom

ONE FINE day, Ms. Latha Rajnikant called for a press conference. And the media was there, even at short notice, last week.

The objectives as she spelt out were three-fold:

a. To inform the public about her latest album `Saaral' which students need to buy to get a chance to participate in `Dayaa 2001', the State-wide Talent Festival later in the year. Aishwarya Rajnikant makes a debut as a singer in the album.

``I want to dedicate my music to the cause of art. Whatever I receive from the album, goes to the Dayaa Foundation that would help the economically weak and physically challenged.''

The Times Music album that has ``Folk, Pop and Western music'' that was released earlier this month, costs Rs. 40.

Dayaa 2000, held last year had a response of ``25000- 30000 people,'' we are told.

b. To create awareness on the Ashram Group of institutions which offers ``new structured courses for new challenging careers'' in law, media and business entrepreneurship. Courses, which are personality-based.

The Ashram education begins from school level (TASC Plus One and Plus Two) after which students could opt to get admitted in TASC Career and Business School for a Diploma in Career and Business Studies (DCBS) or Diploma in Creative Studies (DCS) from the TASC School of Creative Studies or a Diploma in Business and Corporate law (DBCL) from the Ashram School of Law.

It turns out that the star's daughter Aishwarya herself is pursuing law at the Ashram School of Law.

``The admissions are open till the end of July, and we will conduct entrance exams at the convenience of the student. Every student will be personally interviewed by me,'' says Mrs. Rajnikant.

Would they get jobs at the end of it? ``We are working closely with the corporates and expanding our corporate council. The focus is on the person than the certificates. We will have apprenticeships, guest lecturers from the industry,'' she replies.

There would be a new hostel coming up at Velachery for the courses that are aimed at personality development and career building.

The emphasis for the courses is more on practicals and actual exposure to the real world where students work closely with the industry and are given mock cases.

The fees? It's about Rs. 10,000 per semester of six months which means a 3-year diploma for Rs. 60,000.

c. To educate more schools and colleges about TASC (`The Ashram's Specialised Curriculum of Learning') as an alternative to CBSE, State and ICSE boards.

``Many schools and colleges have been asking us about this curriculum,'' says Mrs. Rajnikant.

Question: What is Rajnikant's role in these projects? ``His moral support and love goes a long way in these projects. His belief is that education should be personality-oriented and the child should learn through aptitude and not be forced to learn.''

``Whatever little profit that was made from the Rajini 25 celebrations have gone to the Dayaa Foundation. It has already reached the children,'' Mrs. Rajnikant tells us.

And we are tempted to ask her what the Superstar is upto now.

``He (Rajnikant) is in a retreat. He is not talking to people or meeting anybody now. When he is out of his retreat, I will let you know,'' she promises.

The Superstar, thus, continues to stay away from media glare. Why? Probably because his `vazhi' (path) is a `thani vazhi' (distinct path).

Will we ever see him again on the big screen? He keeps us guessing.

The man continues to be a mystery. An enigma.

By Sudhish Kamath

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