In the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, all five of the Chief Ministers since 1967 have been former actors. This provocative book debunks the notion of Bollywood as the synecdoche of Indian cinema to explore the hitherto less studied, yet highly influential cinema in South Asia. Developing the concept of the politics of sentiment, the author examines the ways in which actor-politicians constructed their cinematic charisma, projecting themselves as messiahs saving the people from injustices, to create a political appeal to voters. The resilience of cinematic charisma, as Indian society undergoes massive socio-economic changes, provides a compelling study of modern politics, cinema, celebrity and the culture of the subcontinent.
Dhamu Pongiyannan
Dhamu Pongiyannan received a PhD in Media Studies from the University of Adelaide in 2013. He has a wide range of professional experiences in the media industry. His research interests include media sociology and Indigenous studies. He is currently collaborating with Professor Ghil’ad Zuckermann, Chair of Linguistics and Endangered Languages at the University of Adelaide, on Aboriginal issues.
Editorial Reviews
 | “Lily Kelting is a rare writer—someone who writes with academic rigor but is also wildly funny. Against Heritage is a quicksilver history of the modern food heritage trend: whip smart, immaculately researched, and constantly interrogating where ‘heritage’ begins to surrender to nostalgia.”
—Jonathan Nunn, coeditor of Vittles and editor of London Feeds Itself
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| “An urgently erudite, political, and beautifully written study that blends heritage, foodways, and performance in remarkable, alchemical ways. With this landmark debut, Lily Kelting has established herself as a major new voice in cultural studies.”
—Dan Hicks, author of Every Monument Will Fall: A Story of Remembering and Forgetting
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| “A brilliant provocation that reconsiders the value and labor of women and racialized cooks in the heritage food movement.”
—Krishnendu Ray, coeditor of Curried Cultures: Globalization, Food, and South Asia
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| “A robust and expansive study that combines theoretical analysis with practical interventions.”
—Catarina Passidomo, Washington and Lee University
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