OPEN LETTER
10
Dear Kushboo...
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PAST SUPER-HEROINE
Dear Kushboo,
There was a time in
1990, at Vellore a
theatre had to release
an advertisement asking
repeat audience not
to continue flocking
the theatres, as new
audience were not
getting an opportunity
to watch the movie.
The movie in question
was
‘Pazhamudhir
Cholai’ and you were
there in it. That Chinese
Butler singularly was
the reason for people
like me occupying the
theatre continuously for
a week prompting such
an advertisement.
You had that screen
presence to match the
superstars, whether it
was Kamal or Rajni you
held your space. And
along with Kamal we
were drooling behind
you in Singaravelan.
Just because there
was some incongruity
between the jobs we
were at and carrying
a brick for your temple,
we desisted. Not that
we were missed, there
were enough bricks
and heads. Not once
we thought we could be
brickheads.
hero has his head on
your bosom, this time
only to wet it with his
tears, as a son to mother.
Your silver streaks has to
be dyed and so should
be the hero’s. Only that
while you go from black
to white, he goes white
to black. That is the
ephemeral nature of an
actress’s career, we all
know. And before we
realize we have been
Why am I suddenly seeing you for a while,
blabbering about all you disappear.
this? Is it the impending
50th birthday and since Some people at this
50 is the new 40, am I stage, find an industrialist
having a midlife crisis? from the USA, go there
I am afraid that you do and maybe run a dance
and not me.
school raise children and
yourself, only to come
All heroines fade out. back with daughters
Agreed it is a curse. You who still carry puppy
start off pairing with fat attempting to make
heroes double your age a career as an actress.
and before you age 10 The hero is waiting, he
years extra, the same