Chenmai: This is not the first time rumours of Superstar Rajinikanth’s death are being circulated on the Internet. When he took ill in 2011, fake news of his death spread like wild fire and Rajini fans who browsed online forums headed to his residence to find out the truth. On Thursday, the rumours spread even quicker as websites of newspapers and news channels out of Sri Lanka carried the news prominently, adding spice to the story by the hour.
The rumour was put to rest by Rajinikanth’s publicist who tweeted later in the day, @superstarrajini is hale & hearty on vacation n USA. Kindly ignore rumours connecting thalaivar’s health. Rajini has been away in the US on a family vacation and it is also likely that he has been undergoing a check-up and routine medical tests in the course of his stay.
The story got spiced up during the day, with online platforms and newspaper websites, mostly out of Sri Lanka, carrying reports of Rajinikanth having suffered a heart attack. Some added even more ‘masala’ saying his younger daughter Soundarya had even confirmed the news of Rajini’s death. Adding further colour, it was also reported that top film personalities were mourning his death.
The matter was put to rest only after Rajini’s office cleared the air surrounding the 65-year-old actor’s health. Rajini’s latest movie Kabali is due for release very soon. Like Mark Twain, Rajini can now say, “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.’’
