Amidst the ‘Oppenheimer’ fever sweeping across Tamil Nadu with theaters continuing to run packed shows even two weeks after its release, K. Annamalai, the President of BJP Tamil Nadu, enthusiastically disclosed his admiration for the renowned filmmaker Christopher Nolan.
Christopher Nolan, who is known for his mind-bending movies like Interstellar, Inception, Prestige, Memento, and the popular The Dark Knight Trilogy, has a huge cult following in India and Annamalai seems to be a member of the Nolan cult. Despite not being the most un-Nolan like Nolan film, his latest release Oppenheimer has received positive reviews from critics.
In an interview to Suhasini Maniratnam (actress and wife of film-maker Maniratnam), Annamalai revealed that he too is a big fan of Nolan.
“Especially Christopher Nolan, I’m a big fan of him. I’m not saying this because you’re here. Just like how I adore Maniratnam sir in Tamil, in English, I like Christopher Nolan very much. Very complex subjects he makes. Even if you don’t understand, his movies are such that they are compelling to watch.“, Annamalai said.
He further jovially said “Even today if you ask me what’s the story of Interstellar, I don’t know. But I saw it twice.“.
Annamalai also said that he likes the critically acclaimed The Shawshank Redemption and Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List.
He also revealed that he saw the latest Tom Cruise-starrer Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One.
With respect to Tamil film, Annamalai said that Rajinikanth-starrer Thalapathy is one of his favourites.
“There is a scene in which Rajini stands up and says ‘I dare you to lay a finger on me’ during the peace committee meeting. Great movie.“, Annamalai said.
He also said that he is a big fan of Kamal Haasan’s movies adding that Kuruthi Punal was a movie which as a police man he felt attached to.
“He says an important dialogue in that movie – every man has a breaking point, we just have to go till there.“, Annamalai said.
When asked about his views on films based on atrocities, Annamalai said “As long as it doesn’t go political, I’m fine with it. Sometimes when they impose their political philosophies I feel very odd. I don’t know if it is because I’m a politician. I see two things here as a politician. Common man watches it one way. I’ve that extra information. I see inside also. The truth comes out varnished. When it is imposed and deliberately spoon-fed, I feel uncomfortable.“.
He said that cinema has a very positive impact on society and explained how Maniratnam’s Roja instilled patriotism in every Indian.
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