Why Rajinikanth's biggest fans are not ready for his political debut
When Rajinikanth stands up to announce his political plans on Sunday, there will be more than 25 "Rajinikanths" across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka who will be waiting with bated breath to hear what's in store for them. For, if the superstar decides to join politics, this "army of dupes" that earns a living by mimicking him on stage, will need to suitably incorporate his new role into their acts.
No other actor in India perhaps has such a significant number of mimics. "He is my soul, he takes care of me,'' says 41-year-old Senthil, who goes by the name of Rajini Senthil in Kollywood and has a popular Rajini number "O Nanbaa" from Lingaa as his phone ringtone. For the past 15 years, Chennai-based Senthil has played Rajinikanth at shows, where his Rajini dialogues, songs and dance are lapped up by the audience with cries of "once more, once more".
But ask Senthil about whether his hero should enter politics and he asks a counter question. "Do you think he will? I don't think so. If he had to, he would have joined a long time back.''
Surprisingly, opinion within this fraternity that wears its fondness for Rajinikanth on its sleeve, is divided over whether their hero should aim for Fort St George, the seat of power in Chennai. Thirty-nine-year-old Rajini Prakash, a resident of Tiruppur district, who has been playing the superstar for the past 16 years, is excited about a real life role for Rajinikanth.
"He will do good for Tamil Nadu," says Prakash. "In 1996, when the possibility of Thalaivar entering politics first arose, he did not have the experience. Now he understands Tamil Nadu's issues better.''
But Rajini Ravi, who at 43 is one of the seniormost in this mimicking art, is not gung-ho about the actor's foray into politics. Salem-based Ravi, who quit his job at an automobile showroom two decades ago to become "Rajinikanth", claims no one can do Rajinikanth dance numbers better than him, especially to "Vanthenda Paalkaran" from the 1992 superhit Annamalai.
"He should continue in films and entertain us because in politics he will be called all sorts of names which we cannot tolerate. His Kannadiga-origin will be exploited by his political rivals, making him vulnerable when it comes to contentious issues like Cauvery dispute. As far as we are concerned, Rajini sir is family. Can you tolerate if your family member is criticised?'' asks Ravi.
Those who mimic Kamal Haasan too are not optimistic about Rajinikanth's chances of tasting political success if he goes solo. Chennai-based Anand, who is a carpenter by profession, says, "The only way Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth can be successful in politics is by working together. If they operate on their own, the magic will not work."
Rajini Annadurai, who jokes about how his wife is being referred to by everyone as "Rajini's wife", agrees with Anand and says Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan should work together. "We trust Rajini sir. He does not have experience, but he will have ideas," says Annadurai. K Srinivasan, the proprietor of Sree Balaji Tyres in Bangalore, is not a mimic, but for the last three months, this Rajinikanth admirer has been dressed in the Kaala get-up of black kurta and lungi. Kaala, in which Rajini plays an ageing gangster, is set for release in the summer of 2018.
"Irrespective of whether he wins the toss or loses it, Rajinikanth is the winner," says Srinivasan, almost like a Rajini punch line. "But politics is a nasty game. Even his fans who owe allegiance to the DMK or the AIADMK will end up criticising him. He should take care of his family and health."
There is also concern over how the business of the cottage industry of mimicry will be affected in Tamil Nadu. "Now people who have allegiance to different political parties invite us to perform because they are also Rajinikanth fans. Once he starts his political party, our clientele will be limited only to his party," reasons Ravi.
But what most seem to agree on is that Rajinikanth, unlike existing political parties that are dominated by politicians belonging to a particular caste, will be more inclusive. "You will find a Muthu, an Ilyas, a Joseph and an Ilavarasi in his party,'' points out Raghu, one of his fans in Chennai. And that makes them uncomfortable with the idea of Rajinikanth joining hands with the pro-Hindutva BJP.
Ahead of the big announcement on Sunday, the superstitious among the lot also believe the numbers are indicating a political entry. "MGR entered politics in 1967, Rajini sir is now 67 years old," points out Prakash.