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Rajinikanth, the iconic actor-turned-politician, has a charismatic on-screen persona and mass appeal. Rajinikanth has amassed a massive fan following not only in the Tamil film industry but also across the country. Rajinikanth had a short stint in politics from 2017-2021 with his party Rajini Makkal Mandram (RMM). The actor had announced his entry into politics on December 31, 2017 and on July 12, 2021, he dissolved the party.
Rajinikanth, whose real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, was born on December 12, 1950, in Karnataka. He began his acting career in the 1970s and quickly rose to superstardom with his unique style, powerful dialogues, and larger-than-life characters. His films, known for their high-octane action sequences and socially relevant themes, have garnered him a dedicated fan base, often referred to as the "Rajini fandom."
Despite his superstar status, he maintains a down-to-earth demeanour and is often admired for his simplicity and accessibility. Rajinikanth's popularity transcends geographical boundaries and has earned him a devoted fan following not only in South India but also in other parts of the country and even internationally.
While Rajinikanth's political ambitions may have been put on hold, his influence as a cultural icon and his ability to connect with the masses cannot be denied. His statements and ideologies have often resonated with the common people, who see him as a symbol of hope and change. Rajinikanth's commitment to social causes, including education and healthcare, has further endeared him to the public.
Speculation about Rajinikanth entering politics entry started in 1996, when he first spoke against then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa; he would claim later that it was his statement that defeated her in the polls that year. Even before that, he had a strained relationship with Chief Minister and AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran — himself an actor — and Jayalalithaa, who succeeded MGR.
His first decisive statement about joining politics, however, came only on December 31, 2017. In March this year, he said he would not contest elections — in his words, he would be a lunatic to have a thirst for power at age 70 if he didn’t have it when he was 45 (in 1996).
All these years, his fans awaited his entry in politics and his installation as Chief Minister. It has been a long wait — his core fan base, who were in their 20s and 30s when they first demanded his leadership in the 1990s, are middle-aged now.
It is worth mentioning that Rajinikanth's potential entry into politics would have had significant implications, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where film stars have historically played a crucial role in politics. His mass following and the support of his dedicated fan base could have altered the political dynamics in the state.
April 23, 2024 5:56 pm
Lokesh Kanagaraj has yet again included a lot of easter eggs in the latest promo of his upcoming film Coolie, starring Rajinikanth.
April 23, 2024 12:17 pm
Mohanlal was recently seen dancing to "Zinda Banda" and "Hukum". Another viral video from an event captures a heartwarming moment between Mohanlal and Mammootty, as the former planted a kiss on the latter's cheek.
April 23, 2024 11:42 am
Fahadh Faasil spoke about the one trait that he has noticed in Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Mammootty.
April 22, 2024 9:55 pm
Lokesh Kanagaraj had earlier claimed that Rajinikanth's Coolie has nothing to do with his cinematic universe, which has films like Vikram, Kaithi, and Leo. Hence, Coolie will be the second standalone movie in his filmography after Maanagaram.
April 19, 2024 2:54 pm
Rajinikanth was all smiles as he cast his vote in Stella Marris College. After casting his vote, the actor spoke to the media and said anyone who has a voting right should use it as a duty and responsibility.
April 16, 2024 4:17 pm
The Kannada cinema icon passed away at 81 due to age-related ailments.
April 16, 2024 2:28 pm
Actor-producer Vishal recently confirmed his impending political debut, announcing his intention to contest in the state Assembly elections of 2026.
April 15, 2024 6:05 pm
Director Shankar's elder daughter Aishwarya Shankar got married to Tarun Karthikeyan at a grand wedding in Chennai, which was attended by all the top stars of the Tamil film industry.
April 10, 2024 6:06 pm
Jyotika also opened up about the most annoying thing about husband Suriya that she tolerates.
April 06, 2024 2:53 pm
Aalim Hakim said that Bollywood actors like Salman Khan, Fardeen Khan and Ajay Devgn have been his loyal customers for 20 years.
July 24, 2022 7:55 pm
Here are some latest photos of Rajinikanth, Mouni Roy, Uorfi Javed, Arjun Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Neetu Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, Arjun Kapoor, and Maniesh Paul among others.
July 11, 2022 3:27 pm
Here we are with the full wedding album of Vignesh and Nayanthara.
December 28, 2020 10:48 pm
Shehnaaz Gill, Sidharth Shukla, Arjun Kapoor, Gauahar Khan, Niharika Konidela and others shared photos on their respective social media handles.
December 15, 2020 4:45 pm
Today's edition of celebrity social media photos features Rajinikanth, Hina Khan, Asim Riaz, Kangana Ranaut and Karisma Kapoor among others.
April 06, 2020 10:10 am
Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar and many others lit diyas and candles on April 5 at 9 pm for 9 minutes.
January 29, 2020 6:14 pm
From Hina Khan to Sara Ali Khan, celebrities shared photos on their respective social media handles.
January 15, 2020 5:28 pm
Ram Charan and Soundarya Rajinikanth celebrated Sankranthi and Pongal, respectively.
January 09, 2020 10:25 pm
Rajinikanth starrer Darbar has hit screens across India. The cop actioner also features Nayanthara, Suniel Shetty, Nivetha Thomas, Prateik Babbar, Nawab Shah and Yogi Babu among others in pivotal roles.
January 05, 2020 8:58 am
Rajinikanth, AR Murugadoss, Nivetha Thomas, Suniel Shetty, Anirudh Ravichander and others attended the pre-release event of Darbar in Hyderabad.
December 12, 2019 9:01 am
It is Superstar Rajinikanth's 69th birthday today. In a career spanning over four decades, Rajini has acted in several films and multiple industries. Let us take a look at his rare photos.
June 22, 2020 6:09 pm
Rajinikanth is back reprising his roles of doctor Vaseegaran and Chitti in 2.0, the sequel to 2010 blockbuster Enthiran. Directed by Shankar, the movie also stars Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar in the role of Crow Man.
June 22, 2020 6:09 pm
Rajinikanth is back as Dr Vaseegaran and Chitti in 2.0. The sequel to 2010 blockbuster Enthiran also has Akshay Kumar making his south cinema debut. The Shankar directorial is already making news for its high-end VFX and larger than life canvas.
June 22, 2020 6:56 pm
February 18, 2016 1:49 pm