The central theme of the 2014 Tamil-language action-drama, Madras, was the wall of a building on which two rival political parties had staked claim, to paint the portraits of their legendary leaders. In the gore that ensues, four are killed and several others injured. The much-acclaimed film ended with the building becoming a school and the theme of the murals on its walls changing from politics to education.

The film was a brilliant exposé of the malicious power games politicians play -- in this case, to claim a wall for propaganda. But it was also an exploration of the penchant for profile-raising and personal aggrandisement, a Tamil film industry archetype ever since cinema and politics in Tamil Nadu became infused with each other. Five chief ministers (CMs) — CN Annadurai, MG Ramachandran, M Karunanidhi, J Jayalalithaa and Janaki Ramachandran (brief tenure) — had links with the world of movies. They understood the power of cinema and exploited it for cultivating their public image through giant cut-outs, hoardings and banners that once cluttered walls, skylines and crossroads. Over the years, communities and families started using billboards to publicise weddings, family functions, birth and death anniversaries of caste leaders.

The students at Yadava College in........

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