Rajinikanth, 70
Actor, Politician
The news that the actor plans his own political party thrilled fans and unnerved rivals, with Tamil Nadu Assembly elections slated for June. With a history of film personalities making towering politicians in Tamil Nadu, most recently with MG Ramachandran and his co-star J Jayalalithaa, it is clear that his party will not be taken lightly.
Frenemy Kamal Haasan has already taken the plunge, promising a more principled politics with Makkal Needhi Maiam. Rajinikanth has vowed to usher in spiritual politics, in keeping with his own habit of going for a Himalayan retreat every year.
One of India’s most popular stars with more than 175 films since 1975, mostly in the Tamil and Telugu languages, Rajinikanth has tweeted that a wonder will happen in the next elections. Add to that, the actor, born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, is still acting, most recently in Annaatthe. Win, win, isn’t it?