It is very easy to “spill the beans” when someone is no longer alive. Very few would believe that former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa was willing to grant the writer, Karan Thapar, another interview (OpEd page, “Surprised by Jayalalithaa”, July 16). So it is his word against the truth. One has also never seen the writer being aggressive in his other interviews with various political leaders. The success of a host lies in putting forth questions in a way which would elicit good answers.
Sarangan Ramaswamy,
Bengaluru
The writer’s anecdotes were interesting. Though all his questions put forth to Jayalalithaa were sure to invoke her anger, the way in which she answered them, in her usual authoritative manner, was impressive. Her political experience was evident.
Mr. Thapar did try to corner her with embarrassing questions right through the interview, but to no avail. In the end, it must be appreciated that she stayed till the end and answered his questions.
D. Sethuraman,
Chennai
The writer appears to have deliberately provoked Jayalalithaa to cut short the interview and seems to cherish it as a great victory. On the other hand, it can be counted as his failure. It was also heartening that Jayalalithaa did reach out to him when she saw him at a meeting. The unwritten sentence in the article should be this: how the writer was put in his place by a mass leader.
K. Ramachandran,
Chennai
The article-extract is an attempt, in vain, to save lost face. All who have seen the interview in full will know who emerged triumphant. Jayalalithaa was one leader who always faced the media well prepared. Her answers were right to the last decimal.
In fact her interview with Simi Garewal will always remain one of her best TV appearances as Ms. Garewal even got the leader to sing. On the other hand, Mr. Thapar was unable to make any headway with Jayalalithaa. Is this all an attempt to make his book sell?
T.V. Sreekumar,
Lawspet, Puducherry