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CHENNAI, India (AFP): Indian film superstar Rajinikanth became the latest in a long line of renowned actors to enter politics on Thursday (December 3), vowing to bring a “corruption-free” government to his native state.
The action hero, one of Asia’s highest paid actors, said on Twitter that with “great support from the people” he would launch a political party in January that is expected to participate in scheduled elections in the state of Tamil Nadu next. year.
The 69-year-old former bus driver said the public wanted “honest, transparent, corruption-free, non-caste, secular and spiritual policies” in the state.
“Wonderful and incredible things will happen!” he added without explicitly saying that he would bear himself.
The actor enjoys a cult following throughout India, where he is called “The Superstar” or “Thalaivar” (leader).
Each new movie sends Tamil Nadu into a frenzy, with fans cutting their hair like their newest character or getting their faces tattooed on their bodies.
Rajnikanth, who worked on buses in the southern city of Bangalore before moving into acting in 1973, showed his political strength in 1996 when he called on fans to oppose the Tamil Nadu government, which was later ousted from power.
Rajinikanth said in 2017 that he wanted to enter politics to bring “change in Tamil Nadu.” His fans launched fireworks to celebrate, but they have been waiting for the formal moves ever since.
He launched his own movement, Rajini Makkal Mandram (RMM), which has since been launching the political launching pad for the film’s hero.
He has continued to make films and has had health problems that led some to believe that he would give up his political ambitions.
Rajinikanth is following a well-trodden path from film to Indian politics.
Hindi star Sunny Deol is a member of parliament and another Tamil star, Kamal Haasan, formed his own party in 2018, but was unable to win a seat in the national elections last year.
Jaya Bachchan, the actress wife of Bollywood’s best-known star Amitabh Bachchan, has served four terms as a member of the upper house of Rjya Sabha.
Comedy actress Govinda was a member of parliament from 2004 to 2009 and actress Rekha was a member of parliament for Rajya Sabha, but withdrew in 2018 following criticism of her attendance record.
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