A Hero's Dilemma

Rajinikanth’s new moves indicate that he may be looking for a graceful exit from politics

- Lakshmi Subramanian

On March 12 morning, as expectations about the rise of a new force in Tamil Nadu politics were rising, Chennai’s Poes Garden once again became a beehive of activity. The lull the neighbourhood was in after the death of its most famous resident, former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, was broken by troops of young men on motorcycles waving flags.

The flags had blue, white and red horizontal stripes, and a star at the centre with Rajinikanth’s face embossed on it. As the Tamil superstar prepared to make a big announcement about his long-delayed political entry, his Raghavendra Avenue residence became the centre of action for workers of the Rajini Makkal Mandram. Rajini met with the district chiefs of the Mandram, which was launched in 2018 to prepare the ground for his political debut, and then left for a fivestar hotel a few kilometres away.

As his black Audi approached the hotel’s entrance, frenzied fans carrying colourful bouquets mobbed it and slogans rent the air. On the dais, also decorated with flowers, stood a lone podium, indicating that the event would be like a Rajini film—a one-man show.