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Economic Times
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Why Kamal Hassan's kiss unsettled fans
Agencies There's a moment in Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan, that has sparked not admiration but alarm, at least on social media. Kamal strides onscreen with his signature swagger, lean frame, and that unmissable, gravelly voice that has weathered both time and trend. And lit the 70-year-old legend, playing a gun-slinging rebel, locks lips with a much younger heroine playing his wife. And he has a concubine in the story, claimed with all the quiet entitlement of a man who knows he's still the alpha in the room. The internet did what it does best: served up memes, mockery and moralising. At the centre of it all lies the question no one can stop asking: what is it about old men and their eternal onscreen virility? To his credit, Kamal leans into the absurdity. In a cheeky nod to cinematic history, his character whispers to Trisha, 'Madam, I am your only Adam', a throwback to Amitabh Bachchan's infamous flirtation with Aishwarya Rai in Bunty Aur Babli (2005). Point made. But the line also invites an uncomfortable chuckle. Is geriatric testosterone believable? Aspirational? Or just absurd? To understand the optics of Thug Life, it helps to zoom out. The age gap between heroes and heroines is not new-neither in Indian cinema nor in Hollywood. Sean Connery kissed Catherine Zeta-Jones in Entrapment at 68. Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood, Liam Neeson and Tom Cruise have all romanced much younger women while dodging bullets, bombs and biological reality. In India, the older-hero-younger-heroine trope is practically a genre. Rajinikanth (73) was paired with Nayanthara (39) in Darbar. Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, even the ageless Shah Rukh Khan-name a senior male star and you'll find him romancing someone two to three decades younger. So why is Kamal's kiss or his concubine in Thug Life triggering? It's not really about the kiss. It's about male mythology. In South Indian cinema, especially, the hero is more than a character. He's a force-a heady mix of power, invincibility and simmering sexuality. Age? Just a minor inconvenience. Testosterone? An eternal supply. On screen, our heroes remain lithe, lascivious and legacy-lubricated. The older male lead isn't portrayed as someone fighting against age but as someone untouched by it. Welcome to Hormonal Replacement here's where Thug Life gets interesting. Kamal doesn't mask the years. The film acknowledges his age, the scars, the complex power dynamics of keeping a concubine. It attempts to both flaunt and interrogate male privilege. And yet, it walks a tightrope- trying to be woke while indulging in the very fantasy it critiques. The niggle is again, why does Kamal get trolled?Perhaps because Kamal, unlike many of his peers, doesn't hide behind stylised heroism. He has, throughout his career, chosen complexity over comfort: playing a grandfather in his 30s (Nayakan), a wrinkled freedom fighter with prosthetics (Indian), a dwarf in Apoorva Sahodarargal, an aged failed classical artist in Sagara Sangamam. In Thug Life, he owns his aging virility, complete with kiss, concubine and charisma. It's not fantasy-it's maybe that's why it stings. When George Clooney kisses on screen, it's 'seasoned charm'. When Kamal does it, it's 'creepy'. What's being policed isn't just age-but race, region and who's allowed to age with real dissonance, though, lies in the arc. We're happy to suspend disbelief for flying cars and bullet-ridden heroes who walk away from explosions. But one kiss between a vintage rebel and a young heroine? Suddenly, we're clutching the leading ladies remain stubbornly youthful. The double standard is glaring. While male stars age like whisky, women are discarded like soda gone flat. Actresses over 40 struggle to get leading romantic roles, let alone action ones. It's not just sexist, it's systemic. We equate masculinity with eternal potency and femininity with a ticking Kamal kisses and quips his way through Thug Life, the audience will watch some in admiration, some in mockery, but all in curiosity. Maybe what we need isn't less testosterone on screen, but a little more honesty about what it costs to keep the myth alive. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Just before the Air India crash, did India avert another deadly mishap? Do bank stress tests continue to serve their intended purpose? Did Jane Street manipulate Indian market or exploit its shallowness? 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Time of India
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
HBD Vijay: Seaside mansion, supercars and more; 'Jana Nayagan' actor's net worth
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Thalapathy Vijay , one of South India's most celebrated stars, is celebrating his birthday on this day (June 22). On this special day, let's take a look at the net worth of the Tamil superstar. As reported by India Times, with a net worth estimated at Rs 600 crore (approx. $72 million), Vijay lives a life as grand as his on-screen persona. A mansion by the bay At the heart of Vijay's luxurious life is his breathtaking bungalow in Neelankarai, Chennai. This seaside residence which is located along Casuarina Drive, is inspired by Tom Cruise's famous beach house. It boasts modern architectural design and a pristine white façade. Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, the property is a peaceful retreat. Earnings that rival legends Vijay's stardom reflects in his earnings. He reportedly took home Rs 100 crore for the film 'Beast'. This even out-earning of Rajinikanth, who charged Rs 90 crore for Darbar. His annual income is pegged between Rs 100 to Rs 120 crore, combining blockbuster movie salaries and brand endorsements. He earns approximately Rs 10 crore annually from endorsing top brands, according to reports. Exclusive | Kajol CANDID On Horror Fears and Son Yug's Voice Debut In 'Karate Kids: Legends' Garage of the gods Vijay's luxury car collection is every auto enthusiast's dream. Among his prized possessions are: Rolls Royce Ghost – Rs 2.5 crore, BMW X5 and X6, Audi A8 L, Range Rover Evoque – Rs 65 lakh, Ford Mustang – Rs 74 lakh, Volvo XC90, Mercedes Benz GLA – Rs 87 lakh. A life fit for a superstar From ruling the box office to enjoying a lifestyle of international standards, Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, aka Thalapathy Vijay, shows what it means to be a modern-day superstar. On the work front, Vijay will be next seen in 'Jana Nayagan' which is an action flick directed by H. Vinoth. The reports say that 'Jana Nayagan' will mark Vijay's last outing.
News18
24-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Bangladesh On The Brink Again? Yunus Under Fire, Army Chief Holds 'Darbar' As Dhaka Disquieted
Last Updated: Whether the country is again spiralling back into civil-political unrest remains to be seen, said some sources Bangladesh is once again at a boiling point after some rapid and critical developments early this week. A silent but unmistakable shift appears to be underway in the country's administrative and political framework. The recent 'Darbar" (closed-door meeting with the commanding officers) convened by army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman has triggered heightened speculation of growing military assertiveness in civilian matters, particularly at a time when the political establishment is already grappling with internal dissent and external pressure. The abrupt removal of the foreign secretary has only deepened the sense of volatility. In the wake of the Darbar led by the army chief, coupled with a discreet but significant meeting between Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of the interim government, and Nihad Islam, leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), diplomatic and political circles are abuzz with speculation. The developments were followed by a series of statements and press conferences by the political parties and their leaders requesting Yunus to not 'resign" while urging him to call an all-party meeting. advetisement Meanwhile, a senior politician of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who did not wish to be named, said, 'Yunus is now trying to garner sympathy. He is not a person who would resign so easily until pushed hard. We have only been demanding a proper election plan in place, and the interim government is being evasive on that. Instead, they are making decisions that are not even an interim government's mandate." 'Darbar' in Dhaka ignites fresh volatility General Waker's remarks at the Darbar, described by sources in Dhaka as 'firm and direct", reportedly conveyed an unambiguous message: security and territorial integrity will be safeguarded without compromise, and any perception of foreign interference will be treated as a direct challenge. Shortly after, the unexpected removal of Bangladesh's foreign secretary without a formal explanation, however, added to the sense of deepening institutional unease. The move is widely viewed as an internal realignment. A senior diplomat who served in Dhaka recently said, 'The situation is sensitive and volatile. The next 48 hours are very crucial, as a lot of realignment in the administration and political structure is taking place. We may also see an announcement for elections in the next few months, as some of the actions, including banning the Awami League, were indicative of that. Whether the country is again spiralling back into civil-political unrest remains to be seen. But historically and by pattern, shifts in Bangladesh's political structure have rarely come without violence." Adding another layer to the unfolding situation, Yunus met with the National Citizen Party's Islam in a meeting that piqued diplomatic and political interest. While officially informal, the conversation is being seen as politically significant. Nihad Islam told the media after the meeting that Yunus was 'upset" and that he 'offered to resign as he was facing opposition from the political parties in implementing reforms". A source in Dhaka said that the government is working on a 'July Charter", for which BNP has demanded a referendum. BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have separate demands, and both parties are seeking resignations from a set of advisers of the interim government while pushing for early elections. Delicate hours ahead The military's growing grip was further underlined by General Waker's rejection of a proposed humanitarian corridor through the Rakhine state of Myanmar, a move interpreted by the foreign policy observers as part of a broader posture to reassert Bangladesh's strategic sovereignty, even at the cost of humanitarian obligations. Advertisement While details of the corridor proposal remain confidential, the military's refusal comes at a time of heightened tension in border districts and amid renewed concerns over regional refugee flows and internal displacement. top videos View All Foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka, including senior envoys from India, the US, and ASEAN nations, are learnt to have started issuing private advisories over the past few weeks, with one seasoned diplomat calling the next 48 hours 'delicate and potentially determinative". Even though there is no official confirmation of any extraordinary measures, the combination of military assertiveness, bureaucratic reshuffling, and politically sensitive meetings signals that Bangladesh's internal equations are again undergoing a quiet recalibration. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : bangladesh dhaka election military Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 24, 2025, 06:30 IST News world Bangladesh On The Brink Again? Yunus Under Fire, Army Chief Holds 'Darbar' As Dhaka Disquieted
