Actor Rajinikanth has strongly hinted at taking the political plunge at a time when the ruling AIADMK is in disarray and with the actor-turned-politician Vijayakant, who showed signs of promise as an alternative to major Dravidian parties, struggling to succeed electorally. “It will be an uphill task if he jumps into professional politics. Film glamour and charisma alone cannot be the recipe for success in politics. At most they can help if other qualities — political acumen, judgement based on experience, the ability to do grunt work, to move freely and in a friendly manner with cadres in a relaxed way — that make for success in politics are present,” said N. Ram, Chairman of Kasturi & Sons Ltd.
Ever since he spoke against the AIADMK regime towards the end of its 1991-96 term, openly declaring that “even God cannot save Tamil Nadu if the AIADMK was re-elected,” Mr. Rajinikanth has kept many guessing about his political entry. But he never quite took the decisive step, apparently baulking at the enormity of the challenge. At one point, he made peace with late CM Jayalalithaa and concentrated on his film career.
‘Conducive conditions’
Sashi Kumar, Chairman of Media Development Foundation, said Mr. Rajinikanth could “give a good fight” to others if he were to contest elections.
“His acting career has reached a plateau. Computer graphics and software had to be used to enhance his presence in films like Enthiran and Kabali . He perhaps thought this is a good time to enter politics,” he said.
Mr. Sashi Kumar, however, cautioned that while the objective conditions may be conducive, especially when the ruling AIADMK is in a bad shape, Mr. Rajinikanth has to create a vote bank in a State where most vote banks are caste-based.
Mr. Ram said though Mr. Rajinikanth was modest and shunned publicity, the equations in an exclusively fan-based party would be skewed. “His fans may come. But that will not be adequate since they are not schooled in politics. If it is just a party of the superstar and his fans, there will be no equality,” he said.
Mr. Sashi Kumar and Mr. Ram talked about the perception that Mr. Rajinikanth is a prop for the BJP.
“Since he is talking about war, he should be aware of the Trojan horse. He should not be one for the BJP,” said Mr. Sashi Kumar.
“As it has been reported, if the idea is to use Mr. Rajinikanth to propel the BJP from the C-league to the A-league in Tamil Nadu politics, that would be too much,” said Mr. Ram.
Noted film critic V.M.S. Subagunarajan also draws on the idea that the actor is more an image, a front for others.
“We should keep in mind that the Rajinikanth today is not the Rajinikanth of years ago. Even in films like Enthiran and Kabali , the directors used imaging to create a projection based on a prototype,” he said.
