Saffron hues in poster paint political colour as Rajinikanth wishes PM Modi on birthday

 

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth once said in the film Baasha, “Na oru dharava sonna nooru dharava sonna maadhiri (If I said it once, it’s like having said it a hundred times).”

Despite Rajini Makkal Mandram’s warning to not put up posters until further orders, the clamour for Rajini’s political avatar gained momentum in Vellore and Madurai last week with posters saying, “Ippo illana epovume illa (If not now then never).”

Fans’ uproar seems to have intensified with speculation that their Thalaivar (or leader as he is fondly known) is set to float his party in November as Tamil Nadu gets into election mode next year. A new poster that Vellore woke up to, shows the superstar with PM Modi wishing him for his birthday on September 17. The message on the poster read, “Indhia vallarasukku anbu thalaivarin pirandhanaal nalvaazhthukal (Our kind leader conveys his birthday wishes to today’s emperor).”

Meanwhile, Rajinikanth took to Twitter to wish PM Modi saying, “Wishing the tough man in you more strength during these tough times. Happy birthday.”

There are many instances when PM Modi has been hailed in Rajini’s Darbar (court). In November 2018, the man spearheading spiritual politics in Tamil Nadu endorsed the Prime Minister terming him stronger than 10 persons. Rajinikanth even compared Modi-Amit Shah to Krishna, Arjun when Article 370 was abrogated in August last year.

Just when people thought Rajini, in a state drowned in Dravidian politics, is launching spiritual politics with a saffron touch, the actor-politician said in November, 2019, that attempts were being made to colour him as a BJP man, but they weren’t true.

Well, does this poster seem to revive the faded hue now?

“Why do you have to look at these posters with a heavily political tint?” questioned Jaya Sreenivasan, the man behind the poster. Calling himself an ardent fan of the star, he said, “This poster isn’t part of the Rajini Makkal Mandram. As an individual, I see my favourite idol wishing one of the important leaders PM Modi on his birthday. What is wrong in that?”

However, sources in the Rajini Makkal Mandram of Vellore said that authorities in the district aren’t taking any action against those behind these posters despite the fact that there has been a warning sent against installation of such artworks.

“This is a fan’s poster. It has said nothing that tarnishes the image of Rajinikanth or PM Modi. The poster also doesn’t have any political undertones that go against our leader. What action do we take?” asked joint secretary of the Vellore Unit R Needhi.

Let’s not forget that Rajinikanth will have to take on Dravidian parties to emerge as Tamil Nadu’s political superstar. And the superstar may have to be reminded that the BJP has been throwing its weight behind the actor.

All of us know Thalaivar’s famous dialogue from the movie Arunachalam: “Aandavan sollaraan, Arunachalam seyiyaraan (God commands, I obey).” The BJP that desires the lotus to bloom in Tamil Nadu, may want to add some punch to this dialogue: “BJP sollaraan, Rajini seyiyaraan (BJP commands, Rajini obeys).”