The sabha that ran for almost a decade lost its popularity after its lead star Santhanam left for films. Santhanam carved out a position in the industry with the style of humour he perfected in the sabha over hundreds of episodes. His band of brothersin-laughs followed him to the movies where they strive to skewer the stars and the popular culture that Tamil movies portray with much success.
Until Lollu Sabha, spoof comedy was limited to actors like Goundamani, Senthil and Vadivel emoting to old MGR-Sivaji numbers. Such performances were more in the form of tributes to yesteryear legends. Lollu Sabha broke the mould with its inimitable style of taking on all leading stars from the past to the present - MGR to Dhanush. Each episode was unique as the material was the result of a collaborative effort of the artists and writers.
Santhanam may have left his TV career behind but not the style of humour he branded. When spoofing a lead character such as Baasha or Thirupachi, Santhanam would play the character as if he were a common man. He would exaggerate the mannerisms of the characters, with theme music, but would move about like a common man voicing his social aspirations and discontent with society.
Santhanam got his break in Manmadhan (2004) where he skewered Silambarasan as his pal. Many like Vivek, Chinni Jayanth and Vadivel have played such roles, but what made the Lollu Sabha star stand out was the spontaneity and nonchalance with which he questioned the adrenaline-driven lead stars he accompanied onscreen.
Today, Santhanam acts alongside the big stars he mocked on the small screen just a decade ago. Other Lollu Sabha comedians have not found the same fame and success, however.
Swaminathan who had played comedian in some films before Lollu Sabha has regained his place but now his style of humour resembles more of his TV persona than his older film roles. He brought back his crackling chemistry with Santhanam in films like 'Oru Kal Oru Kannadi' and 'Boss Engira Bhaskaran'. Manohar, known for his signature body language, failed as a comedian outside Lollu Sabha. A TV show made on a shoestring budget with tight weekly deadlines extracted more from him.
Jeeva, renowned for his accurate mimicking of stars like Rajinikanth, Vijay and Dhanush, is still finding his space in the film industry. The versatile mimicry artist plays characters similar to the ones Santhanam essays but alongside actors that fall in the B-grade. Ingenious writing, driven by a passion to mock, had produced great characters for Jeeva in Lollu Sabha.
The fates have taken their revenge. Some of these stars revelled in mocking the poorly written roles in Tamil films.They derived joy from the contempt they displayed. Now they are at the receiving end, having to bear Kollywood's hackneyed stereotypes and overblown characterization.
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