66-year-old star urges fans to refrain from drinking and smoking

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth yesterday kept his fans guessing on his entry into politics saying if it is God’s will, he will step into the arena.
He also said if he enters politics, he will be truthful and will not entertain people who want to make money.
“God decides what we have to do in life. Right now, he wants me to be an actor and I’m fulfilling my responsibility. If God wills, I will enter politics tomorrow. If I enter, I will be very truthful and will not entertain people who are in this to make money. I won’t work with such people,” Rajinikanth told his fans at a meet-and-greet event here.
The 66-year-old star described his brief stint in politics two decades ago as a “political accident”.
In 1996, during the Tamil Nadu assembly election campaign, Rajinikanth denounced J Jayalalithaa and her politics. His strong remarks contributed to her defeat.
“I did a mistake by supporting a political alliance 21 years ago. It was a political accident. Since then, politicians have misused my name on several occasions. But I have to clarify, I’m not joining any party,” he added.
During the P V Narasimha Rao government in the 90s, Rajinikanth had begun to support the Congress. However, he shifted allegiance to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) alliance after the Congress decided to align itself with the AIADMK.
In February this year, speculation was rife that Rajinikanth intended to test political waters after saying he “liked power”. However, he later clarified that he was talking about spiritual power and not material power.
Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Rajinikanth in Chennai, but both later clarified the visit was just a courtesy call.
The superstar said some parties have claimed his support for votes.
“They have associated my name with politics and some parties drag my name with money too. Some parties, for votes, even claimed I have supported them. That’s why I have clarified that I don’t support anyone. And nobody has my backing.”
The fans have often asked their ‘Thalaivar’ (leader) to take the political plunge, even as he has been wooed by many political parties on account of his mass appeal. Recently, there were reports that the BJP was trying to rope in the superstar for its plunge into the mainstream of the turbulent Tamil Nadu politics.
Hours after his comments on entering politics, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy called it a “joke” and advised him to stay out of politics. At the same time, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideologue S Gurumurthy said that the actor made a well thought out statement.
Swamy, who is known for his controversial remarks, said, “Rajini has been with various parties and has no ideology. Rajini is a mere distraction,” News18 network reported.
He said Rajinikanth was not even a Tamilian; “in fact, he is a Marathi from Bengaluru,” he said. Swamy also took potshots at the megastar’s fans. “It is a cult following,” he said. The BJP MP said that cinema people are good at giving statements as their dialogues are scripted by somebody else.
Rajinikanth also urged his fans to refrain from smoking and drinking.
“Take care of your family and children. Don’t waste your life by smoking and drinking. Drinking and smoking not only affect your health but also your decision making ability. I have been affected enough so please take my advice seriously,” he added.
Rajinikanth also confirmed he will commence shooting for his next as yet-untitled Tamil project with director Pa Ranjith from May 28. He was accompanied by Tamil director S P Muthuraman at the meeting.
When his Kabali released last year, some people took potshots at Rajinikanth for the surge in ticket pricing. He was also criticised for giving a ‘flop’ film.
Despite opening to mixed reviews, Kabali became the highest grossing Tamil film last year. Rajinikanth said, “Kochadaiiyaan and Lingaa didn’t do well at the box office, but Enthiran and Kabali were hits.”