Come Jan 6, some of the biggest names in Kollywood, including superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, will be in Kuala Lumpur for the Natchathira Vizha 2018 festival, happening at National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, from 10am to 10pm.
Organised by South Indian Artistes’ Association, in collaboration with Malik Streams Corporation and MyEvents International, the event includes performances by comedians, singers and actors as well as friendly sporting matches (cricket and football) between the Indian and Malaysian-Indian artistes.
According to Malik Streams’ CEO, Datuk Abdul Malik Dasthigeer, Natchatira Vizha 2018 will see the attendance of some 250 artistes.
Joining Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, are actors Vijay, Surya, Arya, Vishal, Danush, Vikram, Vijaysethupathy, Jayam Ravi, Siva Karthikeyan, Samantha, Amalapaul and Kusboo; Indian music directors Harris Jayaraj, Srikanth Deva, GV Prakash, Anirudh Ravichandran, S. S. Thaman and D. Imman; as well as playback singers Karthik, Haricharan, Swetha Mohan, Ranjith, Naresh Iyer and Chinmayee.
The organising committee has been finalising the details of Natchathira Vizha for the past six months.
One of the biggest challenges, said Malik, is figuring out the security and safety of the Indian personalities as well as the fans.
Malik explained: “About 200 experienced security personnel have been appointed to look into the matter including transporting the artistes, to ensure everyone arrives safely where they need to be. They have a tight schedule, as it’s a full-day event. MyEvents International has organised programmes involving Indian stars before and it is making sure everything runs smoothly here.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure there are no unwanted incidents among the fans too,” he added.
Datuk Abdul Malik Dasthigeer (right) with Rajinikanth when the actor was in Malaysia shooting the movie Kabali. Photo: Malik Streams
Malik Streams, which distributes Tamil movies in Malaysia, has been working towards the objective to make Malaysia a filmmaking hub for South Indian productions.
He said: “More than RM50mil can be earned per year if 10 big movies are filmed in Malaysia. Producers from India are looking at Malaysia as an alternative foreign location for their projects as our country is safe, politically stable and has great infrastructure.”
Last year, the company brought Bollywood actress Kajol and Tamil actor Dhanush to KL as part of their promo-tour for the film Velaiilla Pattadhari 2. Malik and team also hosted A.R. Rahman when the composer’s musical documentary titled One Heart: The A.R. Rahman Concert Film was released in cinemas.
This year the company is working on bringing in more stars.
“This month, actor Vikram will join us for the premiere of his film Sketch, schedule for release on Jan 12. We are still in talks to bring in Arjun, Vishal and Samantha for the film Irumbhu Thirai. Fans can also look forward to an-all female artiste concert, Dazzling Tamilachi, at Plenary Hall, KLCC, on Feb 3.”
Composer AR Rahman was in KL in August 2016 to promote One Heart The Concert Film. Photo: The Star/Kamarul Ariffin
Although Malik has had the chance to mingle with many Indian stars, he always looks forward to seeing Rajinikanth again.
“He is so humble and down to earth. Let me tell you how nice he is. When he shot Kabali in Malaysia for 48 days, there were more than 2,000 fans who turned up every day to see him, be it at the hotel where he stayed or by the roadside where he was shooting. And Rajinikanth without fail would make an effort to greet as many fans as possible even though he was busy.
“And when he was shooting at Carey Island, it was a very hot day. But he refused to have his assistant hold an umbrella for him because his fans were also under the hot sun. He said, ‘They came to watch and support me. How can I avoid the heat, when they’re not.’
“Even though he was not well during the shoot, he never, ever, disappointed his fans. That’s just who he is.”
Tickets to Natchathira Vizha 2018 are priced between RM10 and RM500, and can be purchased at www.myticket.asia
