This book explores how public and cinematic personas merge in the political landscape of Tamil Nadu in India. Using the films of MGR and Rajinikanth, it reveals the intricate warp and the weft of political and cultural life of the Tamils, while examining Dravida identity, caste and language. Contents: Introduction: Popular as political. Part 1: Politics of narrative. 1. Assemblage structure. 2. Image-building devices. Part 2: Politics of body. 3. Imaging male ...