That teaser of Thalaivi that released recently had received a mix response. The poster of ‘Amma’ with a cape and her hands folded reminded one of the actress. Kangana was blown up in size and her face also was designed to look round and healthy.
The next promo was a dance clipping of the matinee idol in a modern dress with a sofa in the back ground.
Kangana Ranaut had brought out the vivaciousness and exuberance in her dance moves but it is a bit too early to draw comparisons and say if she is a perfect fit.
In a place like Tamil Nadu where people love their leader, it is a bit of risk to release a film because the mass might not accept a North Indian actor as their screen and off screen icon. The North-South divide is too much.
People will first look for similarities if Kangana walks, talks and even smiles like Jayalalitha but they do not understand that a biopic need not have a perfect physical resemblance and a body double is not the requirement.
What is needed is a portrayal of the life of the actor and politician and how effectively she is performing.
Vidya Balan too was not a replica of Silk Smitha but the film became a block buster. Keerti Suresh at first was not a Maha Nati but the highs and lows in the drama connected with the audience.
There will be people who say Nithya Menon is apt because of her size and her big eyes but there are equal number of people who think Nithya is over dramatic.
Finally we have to wait to see the drama unfold to decide if we are looking for a real Jaya Lalitha or a Jaya Lalitha like story.