CHENNAI: The week the passed was solely Rajinikanth’s, action packed like his films. As the fight for supremacy continues between the two AIADMK factions, talk of the much belated entry of Tamil Nadu’s most beloved superstar into politics threatens to upend established equations. DMK patriarch Karunanidhi is old and ailing. Son Stalin has not been able to fully dominate the party. Outfits like MDMK and PMK have not been able to seize the momentum.
In this changing context, the prospect of Rajnikanth taking the plunge threatens the plans of all. Mudslingers had been at work, questioning the origin of his birth. Describing himself as ‘pachai thamizhan’ (true Tamizh), the actor lamented that the ‘system’ had become polluted despite many good leaders. He asked his fans to be prepared for ‘war’.
Birth has been a tool used against many Tamil Nadu political titans, but has never prevented giants like MGR from being enduring icons. Today Rajni is a man in search of a mantle; referred to as “thalaivar” (leader) by the press and his fans alike. The legendary MGR was known as “Puratchi Thalaivar” (leader of the people). “I’m 67 years old. I was in Karnataka only for 23 years. For the past 44 years I’ve been living in Tamil Nadu, among you. If you drive me away, I’ll descend on Himalayas and in no other state,” said Rajni.
Belonging and renunciation were two themes he combined effortlessly. But most significant was his statement, “I know without opposition, one cannot grow. Particularly in politics, opposition is the capital.” Then he asked, “Is it wrong on my part to think about the well being of the people of this state?”
Rajnikanth has projected himself as a man without prejudices—essentially goody goody, praising Stalin and Anbumani—but with a caveat. “Democracy has become spoilt. So we need to change the system, the people’s mindset. Only then, the country will prosper.”
The actor’s allegorical nuances left no one guessing. He spoke about the old days, when kings used to keep a nominal army and how during war, all citizens would join on the battlefield to fight for their motherland. “So also, I too have my duties and so do you… When there is a war, let us see. God is there for us!”
Southern cinema is the birthplace of Tamil political royalty. With 50,000 fan clubs in Tamil Nadu alone, each with a membership of 50-200, Rajni is a formidable king to reckon with.