Turning Good Samaritans for their Thalaivar

Delivering ‘mass’ hits like Annamalai and Baasha, Rajini’s Muthu dubbed in Japanese as The Dancing Maharaja broke many records. No wonder then, he is the highest paid Asian superstar after Jackie Chan. December 12 is a date that all Thalaivar fans bookmark and raise a toast to their matinee idol. But this year’s birthday comes with a request from the southern sensation who turns 65, that even if the flood situation in Tamil Nadu is improving, there be no celebrations.

But fans don’t seem to have the heart to give the day a miss, and instead have low-key plans that will render social relief, as an ode to their Superstar. Says Arun Balasubramanian, who has ‘Rajini fever’, something that he has learnt to live with over the years, “Every year, it has been a ritual for us to perform paal abishekam on his life-size cut-out, burst crackers, distribute sweets and dance to his songs all-day long. This year, however, we are swaying away from the tradition to pay heed to his message and therefore, we will be visiting a temple in the morning to pray for Superstar’s health and success for his forthcoming Kabali. We shall also distribute the same milk, which we would have used for celebrations, and other food items to the flood relief victims.”

Another Rajini fanatic, Vijai Prabhakaran, too seems to be thinking on the same lines. “Giving in to our idol’s wishes, we will be helping out the flood victims on this day and hold special prayers in temples and churches for Thailaivar,” he says. Another admirer, Chaitanya G, can’t help himself from singing his demi-God’s praises. “By donating '10 crore and asking that all celebrations be scrapped, Thalaivar has set a rode model for us to follow and has motivated us to work on relief efforts. Though we will not be engaging in any festivities, he will be in our thoughts as he is on any other day.”