It was not a normal Sunday. The Rajini-fan in me was all excited. My matinee idol was all set to announce his political decision today. After all, many of us (read admirers) have been waiting for this day for the last 21 years.
It was in 1996, that he played an active role in bringing back the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(DMK) to power.
Senior journalists and political analysts may or may not accept his contribution. For me, a 16-year-old then, my superstar opposing political bigwig J Jayalalithaa, was similar to ‘Taming of the Shrew’. All his movie songs, carefully scripted to tickle the eagerness of the general public about his political stand, played on one by one. As a close follower of politics, even then, thanks to my maternal grandfather, I was mentally ready for his political plunge. Two more years and I would join my ‘Thailaivar’s ‘(meaning leader) party, I told myself then.
For the uninitiated, Rajnikanth does not just have a fan following in Tamil Nadu. It goes beyond that. I have come across so many people who used to tell me that they adore him so much that watching his movie makes them so happy, irrespective of the challenges that life throws at them.
That day had finally arrived today, December 31st 2017. Here is my superstar, now 67-year-old, telling the members of his fan-club, that he is all set to take the political plunge finally. Yes, the state needs a charismatic leader and the lack of powerful political players in the state of Tamil Nadu is for everyone to see.
I listened carefully to Rajnikanth’s speech, flood of thoughts gushing through. My matinee idol is now in the political battlefield. His policies and intentions may be genuine but there are a whole lot of other things that matter. One-man cannot become a party, the journalist in me, reminds me. I tell myself that my superstar would now have to battle not just box-office but also criticism from all quarters.
While one political leader says he is a Kannadiga, another calls him a Maratha. They say they don’t like his decision because he does not hail from Tamil Nadu. Everyone knows that he was born Shivaji Rao Gaikwad and Rajinikanth is his screen name. So what?
I am amazed. This man has been reigning the Tamil film industry for the last 42 years, people went crazy with his style and dialogue delivery. This very people of Tamil Nadu have been literally celebrating this man, who hardly fit into the definition of Tamil heroes, at the time of his entry.
The beauty of India is in its diversity and our constitution gives the freedom to live and work in any part of India. Is politics any exception? Our democracy gives all the power to the people. Let people of Tamil Nadu decide if they want to accept him as their political leader or not.
Being a Maratha, born and brought up in Karnataka, does not disqualify him. Does it?
I wish him well and sincerely hope that he delivers all that he promises.
- To Rajnikanth With Love From A Die-Hard Fan - January 3, 2018
- For Me, Pune Is Sheer Paradise! - December 27, 2017
- Why Isn’t Teaching A Profession Of Choice Anymore ? - August 11, 2017
