Kalyani Shankar
Why is the South Indian superstar Rajinikanth such a big draw for politics as well as films? Come every election – Assembly or Lok Sabha – there is suspense about whether the matinee idol would jump into politics. He is still one of the biggest political draws in Tamil Nadu, though he has not openly been identified with any political party. Since 1996 when the Congress wooed him promising to make him to make him the chief ministerial face, almost all the parties have been knocking at his door. Declining this offer, ultimately Rajini supported the Moopanar (Tamizhaga Maanila Congress) -Karunanidhi (DMK) duo stating, “If Jayalalithaa is voted back to power, even God cannot save Tamil Nadu.”
However, Rajinikanth who is known as “Thalaivar” to his fans, has been keeping up this suspense while concentrating on his films. His fans believe that he isn’t done as a superstar and there is enough time for him to move to politics. He has about 50,000 fan clubs all over India and abroad. His Twitter followers crossed 3 million this week.
The truth is that his attraction for the celluloid continues. On the day of a Rajini movie release, everything takes a backseat in Tamil Nadu. His latest movie Kabalihas turned out to be a blockbuster netting a record Rs.21.5 crore on its opening day in Tamil Nadu itself. With his “Neruppu da, Kabali da” (It is fire and it is Kabali ) dialogue, he has set the screen on fire. Kabali fever is catching up in overseas markets such as Singapore, the UAE, Malaysia, Australia, and Germany, and the US. Another mega film Enthiran 2.0 is to be released next year. Rajini is famous even in Japan where he is well known for his film Muthu.
Though his last two releases, Kochadaiyyan (2015), and Lingaa (2014), did not fare well at the box office, the hype continues.
What makes Rajinikanth a phenomenon? He has none of the qualities required for an actor. He has no good looks, nor height, versatile acting or a macho body but still he appeals to the audience. For Western viewers he could be a combination of Silvester Stallone plus Dustin Hoffman. For the South Indian audience he is another MG Ramachandran who used the films to send social messages by acting as a do-gooder.
To understand the Rajini phenomenon one has to understand the psyche of the people of the South. His mass reach and box-office power has made him demi-god of sorts as poor identify with him. The political parties want to make use of this magnetism. MG Ramachandran stepped into politics and became the chief minister. MGR’s protégée Jayalalithaa also became the chief minister. Captain Vijaykant has launched his party DMDK as an alternative to both DMK and AIADMK in 2005 and got ten per cent vote share. In Karnataka dreaded bandit Veerappan kidnapped Rajkumar for ransom. In Andhra Pradesh NT Rama Rao became the chief minister. So it is only natural that people expect Rajinikanth to enter politics at some point of time.
Rajini’s rise in films also is like a movie script. Starting his life as a coolie, then bus conductor in Bangaluru, Shivaji Rao Gaekwad rose in film world after film Director K Balachander offered him a small role in Apoorva Raagangal (1975) giving him a film name Rajinikanth. He has acted in more than 150 films. A CBSE book features him in a chapter entitled ‘From Bus Conductor to Superstar’ to highlight the importance of the dignity of work to students.
While Rajini is concentrating on his film career he has also kept his options open. After missing a political entry in 1996, he supported the BJP in 1998. In 2002, he unveiled a plan to start a people’s movement on the Cauvery issue. In 2004, he pledged his vote for the BJP-AIADMK alliance.
In 2008 he said, “It would be foolish to think that one is successful in politics due to sheer capability, experience and hard work. It is all a question of time and circumstances. If the time is not right, nothing can help.” In 2011, the cameras caught Rajinikanth voting for two leaves symbol (AIADMK) although he went and saw a movie with Karunanidhi in the evening.
Prime Minister Modi made a personal visit to the star’s Poes Garden residence ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls to seek support. In October 2014 following Jayalalithaa’s conviction in the disproportionate assets case and her return to Chennai after 21 days of jail, Rajini wrote to her saying he was “very glad” to see her, a neighbour, back home in Poes Garden.
On May 23, 2015 when Jayalalithaa took over after her acquittal, Rajinikant attended the swearing- in ceremony. Before the 2016 Assembly polls the BJP wooed him but he declined to endorse it and also did not yield to the pressure from other parties.
So the question persists whether Rajinikanth will take the political plunge? The last word is not said yet. Rajini himself has said “Everybody wants me to join politics. I’m aware of its depth and danger. I’m not afraid, but just a little hesitant. It’s not in my hands. If god is willing, I will serve people.” (IPA)
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