CHENNAI: It was a day of mixed reactions from superstar Rajinikanth on Friday.
The actor, who has announced his intention to contest assembly polls, made a veiled attack on Kamal Haasan during a close door meeting with supporters, praised his co-star-turned-politician during an interaction with reporters and finally came the announcement of a film under the Sun Pictures banner.
If the actor indicated in the morning that there was no going back on his political plunge and that he was biding time only to “ensure that the foundation is strong”, his statement lost the sheen when Sun Pictures owned by billionaire Kalanidhi Maran announced that their next movie will cast the superstar which will be directed by award-winning filmmaker Karthik Subburaj.
Rajinikanth already has two films - Kaala and 2.0 -- to complete and the new announcement only led to further speculation whether the actor was indeed serious about his political plunge. The actor, who was indecisive about his political plunge for two decades, finally swallowed the bitter pill on the last day of 2017 by announcing that his yet-to-be launched political party will contest the next assembly elections.
Even after the announcement, the actor did not comment on political situation in the state except for a terse statement on Cauvery verdict last week. During a closed-door interaction with his fans from Tirunelveli district here, Rajinikanth made an indirect attack on Kamal telling his supporters that none should be perturbed by the noise being made by others.
“Discipline and strong foundation are necessary in politics. Let others make noise. We shall concentrate on our work,” Rajinikanth said, adding that for a family to be successful, its head must follow discipline. “I am disciplined man and I can lead our family. None can teach us politics. We are capable of teaching politics to many. I am taking time only to ensure that our foundation is strong,” the actor said.
Later, during an interaction with reporters, Rajinikanth said he watched on television Kamal's political party launch and expressed the hope that his friend would earn people's confidence.
“Though, all (of us) tread different paths, what matters is public welfare. Kamal is efficient. He will earn people's confidence. The launch of Kamal's party was very nice and was well organised,” he said.
Hours after his statement on politics came the announcement about his next film. “Sun TV is happy to announce Superstar's next colossal production with Sun Pictures,” he said. Karthik Subbaraj will direct the untitled film.
