As 'supporting cast' signs up, Rajini's political role grows

Rajinikanth's first 'schedule' saw him addressing his fans in Chennai in May, dropping several hints that he is working on a political script. 

The actor then took a break in Mumbai, shooting for son-in-law Dhanush's production 'Kaala', an area where he has better domain expertise. Rajini is now back and the photo-ops have begun, each claiming to unravel his mind.  

But it is still pretty much a case of "naan eppo varuven, eppadi varuvennu yarukkum theriyathu" (No one knows when and how I will come), the hit dialogue from Rajini's 1995 hit 'Muthu'. 

The line was seen as politically loaded then and 22 years later, it is still seen as a sign of the ambivalence of the man. Those who want Rajini to step into politics however, believe that "Aana varuvendiya neratale correct aa varuven." (But when it is the time to come, I will come in the correct manner)

The big man himself isn't saying much, letting others do the talking. The risk with taking them at face value however is that one does not know if they have read his mind correctly or are speaking on his behalf. 

The last time a Kollywood-ish politician, Gangai Amaran, posed for a photograph with Rajinikanth before the RK Nagar byelection in April and used it to garner more support, the Superstar came out with a terse tweet, emphasising that his support is for no one. The 'Will he, Won't he' question has dogged his political entry for over two decades now. But it is to Rajini's credit that the batter is yet to go completely sour.

In the last two days, he has met people outside the sphere of activity, suggesting that the second political schedule is underway. On Sunday, he met representatives of farmers espousing the cause of interlinking of rivers. 

It is an issue Rajini had supported over a decade ago, even pledging Rs one crore to the cause. The organisation that had organised a protest demanding drought relief for Tamil Nadu farmers in Delhi for over a month, wanted the actor to use his influence to ensure the government takes up interlinking of rivers. 

The question that arises is whether the meeting was at the behest of the farmers or was it Rajini's way of knowing more about the agrarian distress in Tamil Nadu. 

In his years in cinema, Rajini has kept an arm's distance from issues confronting the state, except for guest appearances over the Cauvery issue and the Lankan Tamils. It is his ignorance of the nitty gritty that is held against Rajini should he decide to take the political plunge. That without a bound script, the actor would fail to make an impact in a political role. 

Either way, what it did was to renew the suspense over what he intends to do. The fact that Rajinikanth, otherwise an extremely private person, has gone the extra mile, meeting people outside his sphere of activity suggests he is giving politics a serious thought. 

With optics playing an important part in today's day and age of social media, rubbing shoulders with the aggrieved farmers also lent a socialist halo to the actor. That beyond the make believe world of greasepaint, wigs and arclights, Rajinikanth is also real.

The second group of people who Rajini met was the antithesis of the first. These were members of the right-wing group Hindu Makkal Katchi - who came out and told the media that they discussed the political system in Tamil Nadu. 

"We have requested him to take the political plunge. He told us he is seriously considering it,'' said Arjun Sampath, founder of the Hindu Makkal Katchi. 

One does not know if Rajini indeed said so in so many words and that it is an accurate representation of what's on his mind. 

But he may do well to remember that the Katchi filed a public interest litigation against his friend Kamal Haasan, calling him "anti-Hindu" for his remarks on the Mahabharata in March this year. Is sharing photo space with a group that spouts intolerance and labels people, Rajinikanth's idea of spreading his base? 

If he indeed is stepping into politics, he will be expected to make a break from the corrupt and casteist politics that the Dravidian parties have practised for the last five decades. If his support structure is going to include jingoistic and divisive venom, he may be better off doing his films. The Superstar ought to be wary of anyone and everyone trying to stake a claim on Rajini-hood, aided by a camera flash, and appropriate him. 

Rajini in his heyday acted in the Tamil remake of several of Amitabh Bachchan's hit Hindi movies. He may do well to be careful lest his venture turns out to be a repeat of the Big B's experience with the cesspool of politics.