16/08/2025

SATURDAY | AUG 16, 2025

18 Devas who keep Malaysia going T WO days ago, superstar turned into a street carnival. Children wore Kabali T-shirts with pride and P O T T U O N P O I N T

Rajinikanth walked back into our cinemas, not just to entertain, but to remind us why we have loved him for decades. In Coolie , he teams up with director Lokesh Kanagaraj to deliver the kind of swagger only he can – the sunglasses flip, the slow-motion walk and that unmissable en vazhi , thani vazhi – “my way is a unique way”. For Rajini, that way has always meant standing up for the little guy, no matter how big the villain. In Coolie , Rajini plays Deva, a port worker who takes on big-time crooks – smugglers and corrupt bosses – the sort of people who think ordinary lives are expendable. It is action, drama and a generous serving of Rajini’s trademark style – the full meal set. But beyond the fights and punchlines, Coolie is a story about rising when the odds are stacked against you. And right now, that spirit feels deeply familiar in Malaysia. Because truth be told, we are surrounded by our own Devas every day. They may not have stunt doubles or slow-motion entrances but they carry the weight of this country on their shoulders. They are the makcik still selling nasi lemak at RM1 so her customers don’t go hungry, even when she is barely breaking even. The uncle at the kopitiam who holds off raising his kopi-o prices because he knows his regulars are already counting coins. The cikgu who uses her own duit to buy books for children whose parents can’t afford them. The abang rider who braves rain and traffic to get your lunch to you, then quietly heads to his next job. These people don’t make headlines. They have no fan clubs or hashtags. But without them, the country doesn’t run. Rajinikanth has always been more than just an actor; he is the people’s man – a superstar who somehow makes you feel like you have met him in person. When Kabali hit screens in 2016, Brickfields B Y H A S H I THE recent tragic incident involving a 13-year-old girl who fell from a third floor building has deeply shaken our community. This heartbreaking situation compels us to examine the complex dynamics of bullying – understanding its impact on victims, the factors that create bullying behaviour and our collective Children rarely become bullies in isolation. Research shows that bullying behaviour often stems from the bully’s experiences of powerlessness, trauma or inadequate emotional regulation skills. 0 Learned patterns from home : Many children who bully have witnessed aggression in their home. When parents use intimidation to resolve conflicts, children may internalise these patterns as normal ways to handle disagreements or assert control. 0 Underlying insecurity : Many bullies struggle with deep feelings of inadequacy or shame. Bullying behaviour can serve as a psychological defence mechanism, allowing them to project their pain onto others whilst temporarily feeling powerful. 0 Social learning : Some children learn that aggression gets results – attention, social status or compliance. In environments where empathy is not modelled, some children may adopt bullying as a misguided social strategy. Parental responsibility Parents play a pivotal role in shaping the responsibility in prevention. Understanding root causes

people spoke about the film as if it were a cousin’s wedding. Why? Because Kabali was not just a gangster flick; it was our story about dignity, breaking free from society’s labels and fighting for something bigger than ourselves. Malaysia could use more of that

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energy right now. We talk endlessly about unity but unity is not built on hashtags, government ads or corporate slogans. Unity is built in kitchens, where roti canai and kaya toast share the same table. It is when neighbours check in on each other when the lights go out. It is a Chinese uncle pulling out a chair for a Malay makcik at the morning market without a second thought. It is the small, ordinary acts that say, “I see you and stand with you”. That is what Deva stands for in Coolie . Maybe that is what Rajini is nudging us to remember – that heroism is not about being the loudest, richest or most powerful; it is about being the one who stays, helps and lifts. It is about carrying people with you, even when it slows you down. Here is the thing: Rajini’s heroes don’t just fight villains; they fight systems – those invisible structures that make life harder for the ones already struggling. We know these systems all too well – the small trader squeezed by rising costs, the graduate trying to find a job in a crowded market or the Orang Asli village waiting years for basic infrastructure. The fight is the same: you either give up or you find your vazhi – your own way. Since Thursday, cinemas from Penang to Johor have echoed with whistles, claps and cheers. The action scenes will get the adrenaline pumping, the comedy will make us laugh and the songs will follow us all the way home. But the real question is: Will we carry the message past the popcorn? The truth is, Malaysia does not need more big-screen heroes; we need coolies of the heart – people willing to do the heavy lifting of values, emotional skills and behavioural patterns of their children. Children learn emotional management by watching their parents. When parents handle stress with respect and self-control, children absorb these patterns. Conversely, parents who respond to challenges with aggression may inadvertently teach their children that open communication about feelings tend to raise more empathetic children. Parents who dismiss or punish emotional expression may create children who struggle to recognise or respect others’ feelings. Effective parenting involves setting firm boundaries while maintaining emotional warmth. Children need to understand consequences while feeling unconditionally loved. Parents who remain actively involved in their children’s social lives are better positioned to identify and address concerning behaviours early. Internalised trauma From a somatic perspective, bullying represents chronic stress that affects not just the mind but the entire nervous system. When children experience repeated victimisation, their bodies may remain in constant alert, affecting sleep patterns, academic performance and overall well-being. Chronic bullying triggers persistent stress response activation. Bullied children may experience ongoing physical symptoms like these responses are acceptable. Families that encourage

The truth is, Malaysia does not need more big-screen heroes; we need coolies of the heart – people willing to do the heavy lifting of empathy, community and courage. – SUNPIC

look away when someone’s being pushed down. It is about that mamak waiter who steps in when a customer bullies a staff, the neighbour who brings rasam when all your family members are down with the flu and the strangers who form a human chain to save a flood victim. One day, when we look back, we won’t remember which movie broke the records; we will remember the times we stood up for each other – at the pasar , kampung and the city. If a superstar from Chennai can spark that spirit in us, then maybe Malaysia’s biggest hit is yet to come.

empathy, community and courage. People who show up, even when no one is watching. People who know that progress is not about how far you run ahead but how many you bring along. The beauty of en vazhi , thani vazhi is that it’s not about selfishness; it is the refusal to let the world shrink your dreams or limit your compassion. It is about carving your path and making sure it is wide enough for others to walk beside you. So here is my challenge: the next time you see someone struggling, don’t just sympathise, step in. Pay for a stranger’s meal without making a fuss. Check on your elderly neighbour. Offer a lift to a colleague stuck in the rain. Be the Deva in someone’s story. At its core, Coolie is not just about Deva taking down smugglers; it is about refusing to headaches, stomach aches, fatigue or difficulty concentrating. Their nervous systems become organised around expecting threat, making it difficult to relax even in safe environments. Bullying attacks the fundamental human need for belonging and social safety. Victims may withdraw from social connections, viewing relationships as potentially dangerous. This isolation compounds distress and limits access to supportive relationships. Repeated negative messages from bullies can become internalised, affecting how young people view themselves. The developing adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to negative self-concepts becoming deeply embedded. Creating vigilant, caring environments Effective intervention requires teachers and staff to become skilled observers of student dynamics beyond the classroom setting. Most bullying occurs during recess, lunch breaks and transitions when adult supervision is minimal. Schools can implement “roving supervision” where teachers deliberately move through different areas, observing social interactions. This includes noting who sits alone at lunch, which children are excluded from activities and identifying emerging social hierarchies. Educators need training to recognise warning signs – changes in children’s body language, sudden academic performance shifts, friendship groups that exclude others or students who consistently appear isolated. Teachers must notice not just disruptive behaviour but concerning patterns like children who seem fearful in certain spaces.

Hashini Kavishtri Kannan is the assistant news editor at theSun. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com Complex web of victim, perpetrator and community responsibility

Schools should establish various ways for students to seek help – anonymous reporting boxes, designated trusted adults beyond teachers (counsellors, coaches, librarians), peer mediation programmes and digital platforms where students can report concerns safely. Schools can train staff to maintain visible presence while remaining approachable, positioning themselves strategically during breaks and creating atmospheres where help seeking is normalised. Prevention requires understanding the complex factors contributing to bullying behaviour and victimisation. Regular conversations with children about their social experiences can help identify problems early. Teaching children to treat others with respect while advocating for themselves will create foundations for healthy relationships. It is crucial to create environments where reporting feels safe and where victims and perpetrators receive appropriate support to prevent escalation. Recognising children’s behaviour reflects not just individual choices but also surrounding systems. Let us commit to examining our collective role in creating communities where every child can thrive safely. Our children’s well-being depends on our willingness to address the roots of harmful behaviour while providing unwavering support for those who suffer its consequences. Nahlana T. Kreshnan is a somatic psychotherapist and life and executive coach. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com