M A I N   N E W S

Comedian takes on hero
N Ravikumar/TNS

Tiruchi, April 10
In an unusual script, a comedian is turning the tables on a hero, who is finding himself cornered, unable to counter the former's attractive speeches laced with sarcasm, humour and political punches.

The duel between actor and DMDK leader Vijaykanth and popular comedian Vadivelu is hogging the centre stage of poll campaign now. Vadivelu is drawing more crowds than Vijaykanth and his campaign is eliciting a spontaneous response from the people.

The comedian does not hide the fact that he had decided to campaign against Vijaykanth due to personal enmity. It all started on a Sunday night, in the month of September in 2008, when a group of miscreants, pelted stones at Vadivelu's house, situated near that of Vijaykanth's and ransacked his office.

The comedian's children suffered bleeding injuries, as some of the stones, smashed the window panes and fell into the house. Vadivelu, with eyes glowing with tears, came out of the house, carrying his wounded daughter and rushed to the hospital. A few hours after the incident, he alleged that actor Vijaykanth was behind the incident.

Narrating the incident to the media, he said, "The attackers shouted slogans, hailing Vijaykanth and threatened me, not to do anything against their leader. Big stones fell in the room, where I was sitting with my wife and children. We ran behind the house to save ourselves. The group also threatened me, that my wife and children, will be killed, if I went against Vijaykanth."

"I may be a comedian in films. But, Vijaykanth should understand that real life is different from films. I will campaign against him in the next elections", he had asserted at that time. In his meetings now, Vadivelu does not fail to recall his assertion and the attack on his wife and children three years ago.

The incident is threatening to damage Vijaykanth's image and the prospects of his party candidates.

Vadivelu, is a household name in Tamil Nadu and not a single day passes here, without seeing his face in television channels. Though, he is a comedian, his popularity exceeds that of many heroes and cuts across all sections of people, beyond political affiliations. People respond positively to Vadivelu’s campaign as he recalls the incident and asks “Was it right to harm my fam,ily? Can a person with this kind of conduct be allowed to play a major role in politics? He says “If Vijaykanth grows more powerful in politics, he will be more arrogant and egoistic. Do not trust an arrogant, uncultured man like Vijaykanth. This is only a minor part of his speech, since Vadivelu devotes a major part of his campaign countering Vijaykanth’s speeches