A politician floating styrofoam in a river to prevent water erosion. A politician being advised to prioritise animal lives over humans. An English news channel chief brazenly asking why Tamizh people are different from the rest in India. The politics of jallikattu. Snippets from Tamil Nadu that closely resonate the state’s contemporary political turmoil yet are unapologetically funny - these are some of the glimpses from radio-jockey-turned-actor Balaji’s debut film LKG, which spares no politician in India.
The trailer of LKG, a political satire in its truest sense, was released on Saturday and has already crossed one million views. Directed by KR Prabhu, with Balaji, Priya Anand and Ninajil Sampath playing pivotal roles, LKG (abbreviation for Lalgudi Karuppiah Gandhi) is a bold attempt at mocking the current political scenario in Tamil Nadu.
It even takes a dig at politicians from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tamil Nadu Minister Sellur K Raju.
The film revolves around a politician named Lalgudi Karuppiah Gandhi. Balaji, who plays the titular role of an aspiring political big-wig, is seen floating styrofoams in a river, a direct dig at Tamil Nadu Co-operatives Minister Sellur K Raja, who had evoked sharp criticism for his attempt to save water by covering a dam with thermocol, last year.
There are plenty of EPS-OPS, Rajani-Kamal politics and jallikattu references in the movie, with Lalgudi Karuppiah Gandhi’s party symbol being a bull. The director has also attempted humour by recreating an old Ramarajan Matrix Fight sequence in the movie. He also hasn’t spared the media and has caricatured an English news channel chief throwing questions at his guest in his show ‘The Nation doesn’t want to know’ (We know who!).
Television news anchor Zakka Jacob makes a special guest appearance in LKG. In the trailer, he can be seen asking LKG why Tamilians are different from the rest of India seems a befitting reply.
“When cricketer Ashwin plays well, all you media people say ‘Indian cricketer’ Ashwin. But when fishermen from Tamil Nadu go missing, you don’t say Indian fishermen, but Tamil fishermen. Why?” LKG retorts.
The tipping point of humour is the climax of the trailer. A politician is seen dressed in black attire, stretching over a rock - an apparent recreation of Modi’s famous yoga posture as part of the fitness challenge on social media. “I challenge Kajal Aggarwal,” he says, giving a thumbs up looking at the camera.
Balaji shot to fame after his role in Vijay Sethupathi-starrer Naanum Rowdy Dhan. He also got popular after his noble work during the Chennai floods. Bankrolled by Isari Ganesh, Balaji himself has written the story and screenplay for LKG. Leon James has composed the music while cinematography is by Vidhu Ayyanna and edit by Anthony.