Rajini recollects his theater days!

Superstar Rajini and Kamal commended actor Y.Gee.Mahendra and his UAA troupe on the occasion of the 100th show of its play ‘Swadeshi Aiyar’ here on Friday.

Lauding Mahendra for conveying a valuable message in an entertaining manner, actor Rajinikanth recalled the late seventies and early eighties when they worked together in several films.

“My friend Mahendra was the only comedian then. But, despite the demand for him in films, he was passionate about theatre,” he said.

Observing that it was a very interesting time for Tamil theatre, he said: “Even our guru KB sir [K.Balachander] has recently staged a play. It is a great feeling, because that is where we belong,” he added.

Actor Kamal Haasan also said that “everybody was in a mood for theatre.”

On the play, which is on a contemporary family being transported to 1945 through a time machine, he said all actors performed remarkably well.

Thuglak editor ‘Cho’ S. Ramaswamy lauded Mahendra for his dedication to theatre. Director Balumahendra said that after watching the play, he was tempted to go back in time, particularly on seeing Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Gowthami and Mahendra, with whom he had earlier worked .

N.Murali, Managing Director, The Hindu, said that Mahendra’s father Y.G.Parthasarathy had revolutionised Tamil theatre and explored a new genre with good humour and caste-less subjects. “Mrs.YGP’s work in the field of education and fine arts is legendary.”

He commended Mahendra for his “magnum opus Swadeshi Aiyar”.

The play has been scripted by ‘Chitralaya’ Sriram, and directed by Mahendra, who plays the lead role.