CHENNAI: You can't have Rajinikanth appear in public without someone or the other using the 'P' word. And that is probably why the 'Superstar' often cringes when he is asked to speak to large crowds. The audio launch of his first motion picture in 4 years, Lingaa, was no different, as everyone from his director K S Ravikumar to the man who ran the largest film union in town, Ameer, exhorted him to announce his entry into politics.
Surprisingly, the Superstar was way less circumspect than he normally is, not only responding to all the political chatter, but also giving his fans a little something to look forward to, "Entering politics is easy, making it count is difficult. Peoples expectations have to be met. I had decided not to speak about politics on this stage, but now that so many people have spoken about it, I feel that I cannot avoid it," said the actor, speaking at the fag end of a marathon three-hour-long event.
At this point, the anticipation in the theatre was almost palpable. The fans saved their last spurts of energy, it had been a tiring Sunday morning after all, to explode at what they hoped would be the news they'd all been waiting for. Inimitably, the Superstar threw a well-manicured curveball, "A lot of people who have known me for a long time have said that they never know what I am thinking. To tell you the truth, I do not know myself all that well! I am a prisoner of circumstance, and that and only that will determine my path," he continued. A titter began to run through the crowd as the words began to sink in.
A lot has been said about Rajinikanth's political entry, ever since Narendra Modi met him while campaigning in Chennai. The State's BJP unit has constantly been asked about when he is joining the party, especially after State President Tamilisai Soundararajan met him at his residence.
Arching his head to one side and looking squarely past the thousands gathered, focusing on a patch of wall somewhere over their shoulders, Rajinikanth's words scythed through the sound,"Politics is a danger. It is not a good place to be in. To get somewhere, you need to stamp over people's shoulders, and even then I don't know if they can help people. I do not know the depth of politics. I am not afraid of it, but I am wary," he paused before delivering his final statement, "I don't know where my path will take me, but if it leads me there (politics)...", the crescendo of cheers began to build, "And if god wants me to do it, then I will strive to do good for people." The sound reached it's zenith quickly, and remained there, almost drowning out the appeal that he finished with, "I hope that you're wishes and support are with me, always."
We need to create a wave, but I do not know the depth. I am not afraid buy I am wary. I didn't want to go without addressing these issues - I don't know where my path will take me, but if it take me there, and if god wants me to do it, I will strive to do good for people. It's what i've done all these years by giving good films. I hope that your wishes and support are always with me.
Earlier, it was Ameer's show that led to all the natter. "You are the only person in this state who is worthy to sit in the post of CM. If you want to do anything for the people of this state, then enter politics and we will come running after you," said the director. We are waiting for you to become CM. There is currently a gentleman in politics who has been occupying space for 60 years. He isn't allowing anyone else to come in, to such an extent that last week his son announced that even for the 2016 assembly polls, he will run for CM. You are not like that," he said, taking a rather unveiled potshot at DMK chief M Karunanidhi.
On a day when it took little to make the fans go wild, this was the statement that made the crowd cheer the loudest and the longest. In fact, it needed the actor to raise his hands to calm them down eventually. Rajinikanth looked visibly uncomfortable at all the political cat-calling and did not appear at all happy after Ameer's firebrand statement.
Known for his close ties to the DMK patriarch, Vairamuthu brought some calm to the proceedings when it was his turn to speak, "No one can push him to enter politics, but when he decides to do it, no one can stop him," he said. Enough said?