Is Rajinikanth A 'Sanghi'? Here's What Controversial Kannada Actor Says

Kannada actor and activist Chetan Kumar has responded to Aishwarya Rajinikanth's recent claims that her father and Tamil superstar Rajinikanth is not a 'Sanghi', a term colloquially refers to an advocate or supporter of the right-wing ideology. In this case, the RSS and the BJP.

He cited Rajinikanth's meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his participation at the Ayodhya Ram Temple inauguration and claimed that "Sangi-like" actors do movies for money.

On Twitter, the 'Aa Dinagalu' actor said, "Rajanikanth's daughter says he's 'not Sanghi' & doing 'Lal Salaam' proves this Unconvincing
RK met & hailed PM Modi in 2014, '17, '19, '21, etc; went to Ayodhya Rama Temple '23 & '24
Seems Sanghi-like
Actors do films for money & work-has on-screen politics ever matterd to RK?"

At the audio launch function of 'Lal Salaam', Aishwarya spoke about people branding her father as "Sanghi". She said, "I generally stay away from social media, but my team often tells me what's happening and keep showing some posts. I used to get angry seeing them. We're human beings too."

She claimed, "In recent times, many people call my father a Sanghi. I asked someone what was the meaning of Sanghi, and they said that people who support a particular political party are called Sanghi."

The '3' director reiterated, "I'd like to make it clear here, Rajinikanth is not a Sanghi. If he was, he wouldn't have done a film like 'Lal Salaam.'"

Meanwhile, Rajinikanth has also given clarification that his daughter did not call 'Sanghi' as a bad word. He said, "Her point is that her father is a spiritual person and an admirer of all religions."

Aishwarya's 'Laal Salaam' is scheduled to be released on February 9. It is a sports-drama in which Rajinikanth, Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth are in the key roles.