Tamil Nadu crisis: Why is Rajinikanth quiet?

The veteran actor has chosen to remain a mute spectator as politics hit a new low in Tamil Nadu

Many from the film fraternity in Tamil Nadu have been vocal about their stand on the Tamil Nadu political crisis but superstar Rajinikanth has maintained a conspicuous silence. While his contemporaries such as Kamal Haasan minced no words in criticising the politicians for making a mockery of democracy, Rajinikanth has chosen to remain a silent observer.

Actors such as Arvind Swamy encouraged people to choose what was right while many other actors, producers, directors took a clear stand on whose camp they supported even as the bitter in-fighting within the AIADMK turned into a public spectacle. Rajinikanth has always been careful about political statements or stands on any issue. Jayalalithaa's neighbour chose to remain a mute spectator as politics hit a new low in Tamil Nadu. Rajinikanth is often looked at as a public opinion influencer and a single statement from him would have made a lot of difference -- if not for the politicians, at least to his fans.

In contrast, Haasan took to social media to unleash his angst. He not only made his opinion public but also urged other artists such as R Madhavan to speak up on issues plaguing the state. Swamy made absolute sense with his tweets on the unfolding political scenario. He condemned the resort politics, pushed for democratic ways of choosing a leader and even asked people to inform of their opinion to their leaders. Throughout the entire saga, Rajinikanth refused to either make statements, put out opinions or criticise the mockery of democracy, more so with him, time and again being in the news for possible entry into politics.

His movies have always displayed underlying political tones and his dialogues have been pumped with political statements but when the time for real intervention came, the superstar chose to keep mum. Is the actor genuinely keeping a distance from politics or is his silence a matter of convenience keeping in mind what his future plans are?

OneIndia News