May 16 2017 : The Times of India (Chennai)
God! Rajini confuses fans again on entry into politics
Abdullah Nurullah
Chennai:
One of his famous film dialogues goes something like this: “When I say something once, it's like I have said it a hundred times.“ But when it comes to his statements on entering politics, he just can't be clear with a hundred statements.
Actor Rajinikanth did on Monday what he has always done: Keep his fans guessing.The `superstar' met his fans in the city and gave a 16-minute speech that left them more confused than before. The actor's entry into politics has been a subject of intrigue and debates since 1996 when he gave the `oust Jayalalithaa' call result ing in the DMK-TMC combine sweeping the Assembly election. With Jayalalithaa's death in December last year, speculation was back. Rajini, who was to meet his fans last month, postponed the meeting, adding to the suspense.
But what he said on Monday , when he finally met the fans, was a garbled regurgitation of his ambiguous statements in the past. “My life is in the hands of God,“ he said.
“I am a mere tool. I serve as an actor today . Whatever role God gives me tomorrow I will stay true to that. I don't know what that role is. It is in God's hand.“Rajini used the term `God's will“ whenever he referred to talk about his entry into politics. And that was the closest he got to being committal.
About a thousand fans who came from Karur, Kanyakumari and Dindigul districts gathered at the Raghavendra Mandapam as early as 6am to hear the actor break the suspense over his future plans.Referring to his 1996 statement, Rajini said, “What occurred 21 years ago was an accident. Due to some circumstances, I pledged my support to a coalition and people made it win. Since then my name has been dragged into politics during every election.“ He said post 1996, some of his fans misused his name in politics to earn money . “Such people among my fans should keep away from me if I enter politics,“ he said.
“Some of my fans and politicians used each other for political and monetary gains. As a result I had to clarify prior to every election that I am not supporting any party .“
Fans have been urging the actor to take the plunge into politics ever since the release of `Murattu Kaalai' (1980) in which the title song `pothuvaga en manassu thangam' introduces Rajini as a kind-hearted man who can turn into a ferocious lion if drawn into a battle. The director of the film S P Muthuraman, who directed the `superstar' in 25 films was present at Monday's interaction.
Opposition parties wasted no time in reacting to the actor's speech. DMK working president M K Stalin stated he does not want to express his “personal view“ on the subject and said, “It is up to Rajinikanth whether he wants to enter politics or not.“
Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan of the BJP welcomed the actor's advice to fans. “I am happy that he is leading from the front. I welcome his appeal to youngsters to abstain from bad habits.“
No comments:
Post a Comment