CHINNIE OWES ALL TO SUPER STAR RAJINIKANTH

( by N.THYAGARAJAN )

This Tamil film comedian has only one aim in his life. To make others always be happy by his timely jokes and mimicking various leading actors and celebrities. Through his acting career in films for over two decades, he has carved a niche for himself.

Now having completed more than 250 films Chinnie Jayanth is now anchoring the Ellamey Siripputhan - a comedy weekly show on the Kalaignar TV Channel between 9.00 PM and 9.30 PM on all Saturdays. The programme has tremendous feed back from various persons who enjoy the show.

Chinnnie Jayanth earlier did another comedy show for the Star Vijay Kalakkapovadhu Yaaru. He participated in two parts of the programmes and with his witty remarks and timely jokes, he proved his mettle that the film industry is not bereft of a comedian who could mimic and ape others and perform his role well in comedy or in serious characters.

Chinnie as one of the Judges with the comedienne Kovai Sarala trace out a list of comedians who could be fit enough to become actors in films. Many film producers who were on the look out for some new comedians had chosen these comedians for their productions after the judgement of the film comedians, it was learnt.

Says Chinnie Jayanth, one must be fortunate to become a comedian. At ease in comic, serious or character roles, Chinnie owes his career to Rajinikanth. While studying at the Chennai New College, he was inspired by the acting of the Super Star. He was living in Pudupet which is very close to Madras Music Academy where a number of drama and dance rehearsals used to take place. Then he used to watch the drama rehearsals of K.Balachander's Ethir Neechal, and other dramas like Thanga Padhakkam and Vietnam Veedu rehearsals in which Shivaji Ganesan acted, before these dramas were made into films. His love for films kindled in him a desire to become an actor.

Director Mahendran who directed Kai kodukkum Kai gave him an opportunity. When the very same film was produced in Kannda under the direction of Puttanna Kanagal he acted in that. " I started my career with this art film and I feel that I can fit in art films" says Chinni.

In the beginning of his career Chinnie did some ad films in which he acted like the superstar for a mosquitto replent. He won the best comedian awards for Kizhakku Vasal, Mounam Kalaigiradhu, Raja Chinna Roja, Pendatti Chonna Kettukanum and Thendral Varum Theru.

"I have come to Ellamey Siripputhan for the Kalaignar TV, because I want to keep myself busy always with anything that is connected with comedy shows" says Chinnie Jayanth.

He recalls, that the Super Star who took him to Malaysia for a public show asked him to mimic his acting. " I spoke like Rajinikanth, and all the people in the auditorium began to give me a non-stop clap for more than 15 minutes. Basically, I am mimicory artiste. But, mimicking is my second profession. I had been to several places like Malaysia, Singapore, Canada and the USA on various occasions. In fact in Canada I was asked to imitate the acting of Eddy Murphy, Jack Nicholson and Michael Jackson, I managed to ape them quite well. When I sang in the auditorium like Steve Honda and Michael Jackson the people in the hall went into raptures. Many who could not attend the Madonna show on that day attended my show. Fifty percent of the Whites praised my talent" recalls Chinnie Jayanth.

When asked about his comedy in the recently released Shivaji film has become a hit, " there I mimic the voice of Shivaji Ganesan instead of the Sivaji of the film Rajinikanth. The scene had brought laughter."

"At any time I never underestimated acting for small-screen or for the big-screen. In my opinion, a clown in a circus could do any assignment, if that particular person or persons did not attend the show to do his work.A clown could play anything in the circus like taming lions,elephants of the circus.He could act as ring master. People who has comedy sense in his life, could do any role in films. This was proved by the ace comedians C.K.Nagesh and the late J.P.Chandra Babu" opines Chinnie Jayanth.

Chinnie also a producer of many films and directed all his films. He has done direction for some serials for the Jaya TV Channel and DD Tamil.

" I want to go on acting to make my audience always happy" says Chinnie Jayanth.