For the Love of a Man

For the Love of a Man, a compelling documentary directed by Rinku Kalsy in 2015, shines a spotlight on the intriguing phenomenon of star worship in India. This film offers a fascinating exploration of the immense societal and cultural impact that cinema and movie stars have in India. Starring Raghuventh Manivannan, Kamal Anand, and Babu, it provides an intimate look into the lives of die-hard fans who go to great lengths to celebrate their favorite film icons.

The documentary revolves around the theme of unabashed fan adulation for Tamil cinema superstar Rajinikanth, touted as the biggest superstar of India. It is told through the perspective of four protagonists – an ageing manual labourer, a look-alike impersonator, a sweets vendor, and a businessman - whose lives are deeply entrenched in their worship-like devotion for Rajinikanth, creating a captivating mosaic of individual narratives that revolve around their common idol.

Through Raghuventh Manivannan, the film portrays an ardent Rajinikanth fan who spends all his earnings on organizing fan-based activities and celebrations revolving around the superstar's new releases. His devotion is further underscored by his choice to stay single, dedicating his life completely to his idol. Kamal Anand, a Rajinikanth impersonator, continues to imitate the superstar's unique mannerisms, enriching his performances on stage. The third protagonist, Babu, is a sweets vendor who painstakingly generates enough earnings to create large cut-outs and posters for the star's movie releases. In spite of the struggle, his love for Rajinikanth continues to shape his life substantially.

Adding more dimensions, the film also introduces us to a small-scale businessman who undertakes substantial personal costs and risks to convince his community of the superstar’s political suitability. Through these narratives, the film brilliantly traces the socio-political implications of widespread movie star worship in the country and attempts to dissect the culture of fan clubs, which often double as socio-political platforms in the southern parts of India.

For the Love of a Man is groundbreaking in its undertaking of documenting such fan superstardom in India through an anthropological lens. The director, Rinku Kalsy, orbits her camera around the phenomenon of Rajinikanth worship not through the actor himself but through his fans, providing a unique approach to the concept. Her sensitive handling of the subject, paired with acute observations, makes this film a compelling watch.

This documentary is not just an exploration of fan adulation, but also a deep delve into the cultural phenomena surrounding cinema in India, revealing the various socio-economic aspects that drive this fervor. The characters’ stories are juxtaposed against the larger context of the Tamil film industry, its fan culture, and its ties with politics to give viewers a deep understanding of this grand spectacle of superstardom in India.

In its entirety, the documentary illustrates the emotional investment and the influence of a film star on his legion of fans, who consider him a demi-god, far above his role as an actor. This is a film about the expression of their endearing and unflagging love for their hero, drawing the boundaries of devotion and fandom and extending to an almost religious significance.

Combined with grounded storytelling and an in-depth look into an unexplored Indian phenomenon, For the Love of a Man is a riveting, thought-provoking exploration of fandom, stardom, and the intimate relationship between a star and his fans. It's an insightful eye-opener that invites viewers to reflect on the power of cinema and celebrity in shaping public opinion and cultural norms. The film is not so much a tribute to Rajinikanth as it is a tribute to his fans, their passion, and India's love for cinema. It's a study of what it looks like when mere actors transcend their careers and become larger-than-life cultural icons in the eyes of their dedicated, awe-struck followers.