On November 12, 1950, Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, now Rajinikanth, was born into a middle-class Marathi family in Bengaluru. Despite his inconspicuous beginnings, Shivaji dared to dream and worked hard to realise his ambitions.
On his 71 birthday, let’s take a look at his political career.
In 2017, Rajinikanth held a rally at the Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam, where he made a dramatic announcement about his decision to enter politics.
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In 2019, Rajinikanth said he wouldn’t be contesting the Lok Sabha polls and his ‘Rajini Makkal Mandram’ would offer no support to other political parties.
Since announcing his political candidacy in December 2017, the actor’s every move has caused a stir. His much-anticipated debut in politics has been delayed for a variety of reasons, the most recent of which being health difficulties and the current pandemic crisis.
In October 2020 a purported letter surfaced on social media mentioning Rajinikanth’s various ailments. The actor never denied the medical ‘facts’ mentioned in the letter.
Rajinikanth met the office-bearers of the Rajini Makkal Mandram on November 29, 2020. Reports surfaced that the superstar was likely to announce a major decision and had warned the office-bearers to not reveal the minutes of the meeting until he made the announcement.
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With the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections looming, Rajinikanth on December 3, 2029, announced on Twitter his intention to form a political party. At a group discussion at his Poes Garden home, the 70-year-old actor-turned-politician vowed to change the face of Chennai and proclaimed that the state would witness “spiritual governance”. His political entry was proclaimed with his distinctive tagline: Let us alter everything. “If change doesn’t happen now, it’ll never materialise,” was one of Rajnikanth’s famous lines.
Tamilaruvi Manian, a vocal supporter of the actor’s political foray, would oversee the party’s launch, with R Arjuna Murthy serving as head organiser. The
superstar added that the new party would begin engaging with the people from January 2021.
December 12, 2020: Members of his party hung posters wishing Rajinikanth a happy birthday and urged him to sit in the chief minister’s chair. Rajinikanth’s supporters used a variety of adjectives to describe him, including “the fearless” and “the longer term of Tamil Nadu.”
December 13, 2020: Rajinikanth flew to Hyderabad to shoot for ‘Annaatthe’. Sun Pictures, makers of the movie, said that Rajinikanth was made to remain in a bio-bubble so as to shield him from the coronavirus.
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December 15, 2020: According to rumours, the party’s insignia would be an autorickshaw, but Rajinikanth had already unveiled his association’s flag featuring a Baba.
December 23, 2020: The filming of Annaatthe was interrupted after four members of the crew tested positive for COVID-19.
December 25, 2020: Rajinikanth was admitted to Apollo Hospitals with blood pressure fluctuations.
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December 27, 2020: Rajinikanth, was released from hospital. “His vital signs have stabilised and he’s feeling far better,” the medical bulletin said.
December 28, 2020: There was speculation that the superstar might postpone his political announcement.
December 29, 2020: Rajinikanth announced that he would not run for office. He cited health, stating that this was not the right time to interact with lakhs of people.
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With Tuesday’s declaration, Rajinikanth has brought the curtaind down on his political career, bringing to an end a long-running show that spanned decades.
