When: Sunday, March 6, 1pm
Where: ATA, 992 Valencia St, SF 94110

South Indian superstar Rajnikanth commands a fan base of dedicated supporters for whom fandom exists beyond just assiduously watching his films–it means frenzied celebrations at movie releases, and birthdays that have over time garnered legendary reputations. This talk explores the political and social history of fandom in South India, and specifically that of Rajinikanth himself, that has over time contributed to his larger than life on-screen and off-screen persona. We explore the lives of fans willing to dedicating their entire careers and fortunes to the star’s cause, with clips from an upcoming documentary on Rajinikanth’s fans, For the Love of a Man.

Joyojeet Pal is a professor at the School of Information at the University of Michigan, where his work focuses on technological accessibility for people with disabilities. He is also the producer and researcher of For the Love of a Man, shot over five years in Tamil Nadu, India.