It is a sunny day on a ground which is reverberating with the chants kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi. Two opposing, evenly matched women kabaddi teams are trying to get the better of the other. A player, soaked in sweat, has raided the opponent team’s half determined to tag more than one player. There is a successful struggle to touch the center borderline followed by loud voices of exultation by the victor’s team members.
It is obvious that there is a match underway since the coaches and officials are all in place. Into this charged atmosphere, booms a male voice shouting ‘cut’ — the universal word a film director yells at the end of a take. It takes a moment to digest that all the seemingly real action on the ground was only make-believe for the Tamil film Kennedy Club, based on real-life incidents which revolve around a women’s kabaddi team.
In addition to the theme, the film has quite a number of novelties associated with it. For one, these are real life, even state-level kabaddi players acting in the film directed by Suseenthiran and starring Sasikumar and veteran filmmaker K. Bharathiraja in lead roles.
Kennedy Club has Malayali twin sisters and state kabbadi players Vidya and Vrinda acting — actually playing for real. Natives of Kollam, the twins have participated in 15 national kabaddi tournaments with Vidya even reaching the final camp of the Asian Games. Degree students, they are currently staying in a hostel under the Kerala Sports Council. Talking of their fascination for the rough and tough game of kabaddi, Vidya reveals that their love for the sport grew when they were in class VII. “Our uncle Sukesh (mother’s brother) is a kabaddi player and he instilled the love for the game in us.”
A still from Kennedy Club
Then talent took over. “We had a kabaddi team in school. We played in the sub-district level and later district-level, which is when the Sports Council members noted our talent and took us under their wing. This was in class VIII and since then we have been staying and studying in the Sports Council hostel.”
It was a real-life tournament that set the ball rolling for an acting stint for the twins. There was a tournament held in Tirunelveli where the girls received an offer to act in Kennedy Club after the makers watched their game and were convinced of the girls’ suitability to step into the shoes of their characters. It was not an easy job to say ‘yes’ to the offer until certain guidelines were followed. Vrinda explains, “Since we were studying under the Sports Council, we had to get permission from Kerala Kabaddi Association and it was Secretary Vijaykumar who smoothed the way for us to act. We needed leave for almost a month and a half for the shoot and Vijaykumar sir helped us a lot in getting permission from the relevant people.”
After the challenge of getting permission was done, the girls proceeded to Chennai for the shooting and to their delight there were Tamil kabaddi players in the teams. Vidya says, “There were real life matches conducted with cameras placed in several places to capture all our movements. So, in reality there was no acting involved; just playing for real which is why viewers will see real life action not a simulated game.” Vidya and Vrinda did not face any language barrier since their participation in national camps made them interact with other state players.
At the heart of sports is usually good drama. No surprise why filmmakers have frequently mined the arena of sports for storytelling inspiration. Coming to their interactions with the legendary director K. Bharathiraja, the girls have only good words to share about a gracious host who treated them like family. “Initially, we were a little nervous but he told us that we had come all the way from Kerala to act in this film and that we were players not actors and treated us really well. Sir took us to his institute, showed us around and even invited the entire cast to his house for lunch.”
The twins speak of the lead Sasikumar as someone very dedicated. “There were overnight schedules, but sir used to laugh and joke with us ensuring that we did not undergo any fatigue. Even director Suseenthiran and the producer were very friendly and took care to put everyone at ease. We were treated like family.”
While Vidya and Vrinda did not feel like they were acting in a film while they were shooting, as the film is nearing its release on August 15, reality is sinking in. “Ever since the posters of the film have come up, we have been receiving calls and it is only now that we are realising the extent of the project.”
Women kabaddi players are not exactly the flavour of the season and Vidya’s and Vrinda’s mother reveals, “Actually, I did not understand the game initially and when the girls were asked to go to Kottayam for a district tournament, I even asked them not to go!” That was followed by an emotional outburst by both the girls and finally their mother gave in. “Soon, Vidya was selected for a national camp and Vrinda, for the Indian camp.”
Talking of their future plans, the girls echo their interest to pursue further studies in Physical Education.
