The actor’s unmatched popularity has made him a demi-god. The poor identify with him, and that’s why political parties woo him

Why is south Indian superstar Rajinikanth a big draw for politics as well as filmsIJ Come every election — Assembly or lok Sabha — there is suspense whether the matinee idol will join politics or not. He is still one of the biggest political draw in Tamil Nadu, though he has not openly identified with any party. Since 1996, when the Congress wooed him, promising to make him the chief ministerial candidate, almost all parties have been knocking his door. Declining this offer, ultimately Rajinikanth supported the GK Moopanar (Tamil Maanila Congress)-Karunanidhi (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)) duo stating, “If Jayalalithaa is voted back to power, even god cannot save Tamil Nadu.”

However, Rajinikanth, whose fans also call him Thalaivar (leader), has been keeping up the supsense while concentrating on films. His fans believe that he isn’t done as a superstar and there is enough time for him to move to politics. He has about 50,000 fan clubs all over India and abroad. His Twitter followers crossed three million this week.

The truth is that his attraction for the celluloid continues. On the day when Rajinikanth’s movie is to be released, everything takes a backseat in Tamil Nadu. His latest movie, Kabali, turned out to be a blockbuster and netted a record Rs 21.5 crore on its opening day in Tamil Nadu. With his Neruppu da, Kabali da (It is fire and it is Kabali) dialogue, he set the screen on fire.  Another mega film Enthiran 2.0 is scheduled for next year. Rajinikanth is famous even in Japan where he is well-known for his film Muthu.

Though his last two releases, Kochadaiiyaan (2015) and lingaa (2014), did not not fare well at the box office, the hype continues. But what makes Rajinikanth a phenomenonIJ He does not have one quality required for an actor. He has no good looks nor height, nor does he have a macho body. He is not even a versatile actor. Still, he appeals to the audience. For Western viewers, he could be a combination of Sylvester Stallone and Dustin Hoffman. For the south Indian audience, he is another MG  Ramachandran who used films as a medium to send social messages by acting as a do-gooder.

To understand the Rajini phenomenon one has to understand the psyche of the people in the south. His mass-reach and box office power has made him a demi-god of sorts as poor identify with him. Therefore, political parties want to make use of this magentism.

Ramachandran, who was one of the most influential actors in Tamil Nadu film industry, stepped into politics and became the Chief Minister.  Ramachandran’s protegee Jayalalithaa became the Chief Minsiter of Tamil Nadu. Captain Vijayakanth also launched his party the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam. In Andhra Pradesh, actor NT Rama Rao became the Chief Minister.

So, it is only natural that people expect Rajinikanth to enter politics at some point of time.

Rajini’s rise in films too is like a movie script. Starting his life as a coolie, then a bus conductor, Shivaji Rao Gaekwad (Rajni) rose in the film world after film Director K Balachander offered him a small role in Apoorva Raagangal (1975) giving him a film name Rajinikanth.

While Rajni is concentrating on his film career, he has also kept his options open. After missing a political entry in 1996, he supported the BJP in 1998. In 2002, he unveiled a plan to start a people’s movement on the Cauvery issue. In 2004, he pledged his vote for the BJP-AIADMK alliance. In 2008, he said, “It would be foolish to think that one is successful in politics due to sheer capability, experience and hard work. It is all a question of time and circumstances. If the time is not right, nothing can help.”

In 2011, the cameras caught Rajinikanth voting for two leaves symbol (AIADMK) although he went and saw a movie with Karunanidhi in the evening.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a personal visit to the star’s Poes Garden residence ahead of the 2014 lok Sabha polls to seek support. In October 2014, following Jayalalithaa’s conviction in the disproportionate assets case and her subsequent return to Chennai after 21 days of jail, Rajni wrote to her saying that he was “very glad” to see her back home.

On May 23, 2015, when Jayalalithaa took over after her acquittal, Rajni attended her swearing-in ceremony. Before the 2016 Assembly polls, the BJP wooed him, but he declined to endorse it. He also did not yield to the pressure from other parties. So the question persists whether Rajinikanth will take the political plunge or not.