Straight Talk - Vishal the true Revolutionary of Kollywood

  • IndiaGlitz, [Friday,August 04 2017]

Almost a decade back in his third or fourth film, Vishal's name appeared with the affix "Puratchi Thalapathy" (Revolutionary Commander). Criticisms sprung on the lips of many industry insiders and even the public that it was a little too much for a hero without a stable market value like some of his contemporaries. Fast forward to a couple of years back in 2015 Vishal constituted the Pandavar Ani to bring in a much needed change in the Nadigar Sangam chiefly to prevent its premises from going to third parties' hands. While the younger generation saddled behind Vishal there was no one who would have bet on him succeeding. However, the Pandavar Ani won big and in the two years that have passed, they have fulfilled most of their election mandates making the majority members happy and all obstructions have been removed for the construction of the new building to proceed.

When Vishal threw his hat into the fray for the Tamil Nadu Producer Council election and that too for the President post, it is needless to say that his decision was welcomed with a lot of negativity and again his fall was predicted. However, Vishal, this time truly surprised one and all by winning again and becoming the most powerful man in Kollywood holding the post of President of the TFPC and the general secretary of the Nadigar Sangam.

For forty years the FEFSI members have had their way in dictating terms about their salaries and other demands that the producers felt were unreasonable, but had to give in fearing the strikes as it had pulled down the woe filled industry many times in the past. Vishal threw his first missile on FEFSI making it clear to them that henceforth the producers will call the shots regarding salaries and perks and will choose whom to work with. The federation reacted in the exact way Vishal probably envisaged and declared a strike which did not last even a couple of days and they have reported to work even before the Labor Department facilitated mediation efforts. The "Puratchi Thalapathy" struck another telling blow that in spite of the strike being called off the TFPC will still work with FEFSI as well as others as the situation demands.

The biggest challenge now for the TFPC is the cancerous piracy threat that is eating into the business and its President has also promised that by the Independance Day the main culprit will be revealed and there is no option but to believe him. A revolutionary is one who has the vision to envisage the future, the tact to marshal his troops and the resolve to make good his promises of change and Vishal has truly scored full marks in bringing about a revolution in Kollywood, which will take on greater significance in the years to come for the creative industry.