Rajini inches closer to making political entry
But critics point to Rajinikanth’s political inexperience and his apparent reluctance to take a stand on issues beguiling the state such as the Cauvery water-sharing discord with Karnataka, ethnic Sri Lankan Tamils, or Hindi, the language the state has opposed for long.
No wonder, BJP leader and state-mate Subramanian Swamy declared him unfit to join politics.
Ramu Manivannan, a professor at Madras University, has a similar opinion.
“Rajinikanth is more of a 14-reel leader than a real leader. Once in the political arena, he will find the ground reality hitting him very badly ... he is not MGR and he is hollow and has carefully built his film career.” But the teacher clarified this is his independent opinion.
Much the same was said about Jayalalithaa when she jumped from the silver screen to the heat and dust of electoral politics. The demure Jaya morphed from being MGR’s shadow to become everyone’s charismatic Amma.
And much like her, or even more, Rajinikanth has a fan following across India and abroad.
But such clubs may not readily translate into political support. Political analyst Bernard D Sami of Loyola College said: “His fans come from different parties and the moment politics comes up, they may go their own way.”
Those backing Rajinikanth dismiss such “misgivings”. They believe his supporters will remain with him, and grow, and his alleged political inexperience can be circumvented through an alliance with a political party.
The superstar is shooting for his next, Kaala. Rajinikanth fans expect his political thriller before the film’s release.