The greatest are the ones who speak little but are spoken of more.. Very few belong to this category and none fit this narrative more in Tamilnadu than the Superstar himself aka “Rajinikanth”. Contrary to what the whole world assume it is tough to be Rajinikanth in Tamil Nadu. Despite his demi-god status, his detractors who used to lie low have now come out in the open taking criticisms to new depths in the form of cheapest form of abuse and intellect of the lowest denominator. It is a crime to be silent if you are Rajinikanth and it is an even bigger offense for the star to speak his mind. In a career spanning nearly 46 years in Tamil nadu he has spoken spasmodically and whenever he did it has ensued in a tornado of reactions. Quite recently in his meet with his fans he went one step ahead and announced to his fans “Be prepared for the war”!!…
That statement has set the cat among the pigeons and the political parties in Tamilnadu are scurrying for rejoinders, while the media since then have been having a field day with their TRPs hitting the roof in the form of debates and “what nots” on Rajinikanth. The leaders of the major parties in Tamilnadu have chosen to be tactful in their reactions, while the tier two and the absurd fringe parties have been crying hoarse from their frail rooftops. Right from questioning his nativity to mocking at his integrity towards the state, these small group leaders have been shooting of their narrow hips and empty guns taking criticism to its loudest form that has never been witnessed in the state so far. This has made the people of the state wonder if these parties have already thrown in the towel much before the man has arrived on stage.
Rajinikanth, the man himself would be surprised, from being the most loved man few years back, to now listening to a motley few taking pot shots at him, not many of his legions of fans anticipated this. From being invincible once upon a time, it now looks like their God of stars is mortal after all; for he has to fight this battle to win this war that he seems to have called for. Many have towed the same old line, the most common refrain for nearly 20 years, that he lost a Godsend opportunity to be the CM of the state during 1996. The whole world knew that Rajinikanth had an unparalleled popularity then and he could have literally walked to the Chief Minister’s chair unopposed with the entire opposition in tow. The then Chief minister J Jayalalitha had wasted a wonderful opportunity that the state had bestowed on her. It is tough to introspect now, true he would have been the CM, but would he have lasted so long is a huge question. In the bargain between the CM’s chair and being the movie star that he is, he sure seems to have got the better deal, as he still in his 60’s, remains the undisputed box office king of Tamil cinema. But his critics still feel that the opportunity has come and gone and now it is back to the grind. Politics is not movies, true, a Rajinikanth movie did not need anything but just him and people came in droves to watch him. All the inadequacies in a movie could be overwhelmed with the charisma and persona of the star or simply put; he could pull another blockbuster in his next film. Politics is unlike movies; the leader is liable not just to his actions but also to the actions of the most marginal party worker. It is just not enough for the leader alone to be capable and honest, the leader should not only have the ability to cascade this very appeal that he exhibits to the people of the state, but also demand the same from every individual in his party. That no doubt is a tough ask.
There are rumours that the Superstar is planning to launch his party earliest, while the man himself has not committed to anything. Rajinikanth said in his address to his fans that he is wary of crocodiles in the water and this meant that he sure will test waters before making an announcement. While the common man on the street is busy debating the impact of his entry and if and would he end up being the Chief Minister of the state, Rajinikanth is back to what he does the best, he is shooting for his next venture titled “Kaala”. The debate of his “suspected” political entry is scorching the media, for everything and anything attributed to him sells. While the fringe parties know this very well, and make themselves known to the unknown talking about him and they also keep delivering the bytes for the media who sell them for their own profits. The social media is abuzz as well debating and trolling everything connected to Rajinikanth’s statements. The general perception is that it is not going to be a cake walk and it is intriguing to know why the great man decided to test waters after such a long and arduous wait. Rajinikanth hardly speaks and he never retorts when his detractors pull his leg, but if and when he decides to enter the political arena it would be different. He will have to announce as well as denounce on a regular basis. In a state, where the natural transition has been easiest from cinema to politics, Rajinikanth looks like taking the course that is customarily taken. There have been successes like Anna, Karunanidhi, MGR, Jayalalitha and there have been failures in the form of Shivaji Ganeshan or the not so successful Vijayakanth, which way would the tide of Rajinikanth turn, only time can tell. One thought to the so called skeptics of him, so far he has never played to the gallery off screen and if and when he decides to do that and if he calls out to his hordes of fans the scenario would play differently and can unnerve the most seasoned politicians. Rajinikanth just said “Prepare for the war” and now we have the whole state abuzz and what if he decides to enter the war..
All beware!!!
B.U.Shreesha
