RAJINI RETURNS
India Today|February 24, 2020
The Tamil superstar shows a soft Hindutva side as he readies to take on the Dravidian majors
Amarnath K. Menon
RAJINI RETURNS

On January 14, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth targeted the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK)—the springboard that launched both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)—by criticizing party ideologue, the revered late ‘Periyar’ E.V. Ramasamy. Rajini’s focus was on Periyar’s distaste for Hindu deities and forms of worship. Expectedly, the Dravidian parties took umbrage, but the superstar refused to back down.

On February 5, the actor and wannabe politician called the media to declare that certain political parties were instigating protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA for political gains and that the National Population Register (NPR) was “very essential”. Just so happens that the release of a new Rajini-starrer— Thalaivar 168—is round the corner, and a cursory look at the script of the past couple of years indicates that Rajini’s interest in politics perks up every time a new film is due out.

This story is from the February 24, 2020 edition of India Today.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 24, 2020 edition of India Today.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM INDIA TODAYView All
The Mamata Pushback
India Today

The Mamata Pushback

The West Bengal Chief Minister Faces A BJP Onslaught On Issues Like Corruption And Women's Safety. Unwilling To Yield An Inch, The TMC Is Building A Narrative That The Saffron Party Is 'Anti-Bengali'

time-read
8 mins  |
May 13, 2024
Who Will Win The Mahayuddh?
India Today

Who Will Win The Mahayuddh?

In Maharashtra's Most Complex Political War Ever, Shifting Alliances Fuel A Gripping Saga Of Power Struggles And Betrayals In The Pursuit Of Votes

time-read
10+ mins  |
May 13, 2024
Grand Young Master
India Today

Grand Young Master

Seventeen-yearold D. Gukesh has become the youngest player to win the Candidates chess tournament

time-read
1 min  |
May 13, 2024
SPORTING SPIRIT
India Today

SPORTING SPIRIT

BADMINTON PLAYER ASHWINI PONNAPPA, 34, IS OFF TO HER THIRD OLYMPICS, THIS TIME WITH A NEW PARTNER, TANISHA CRASTO

time-read
1 min  |
May 13, 2024
PORTRAITS OF A PEOPLE
India Today

PORTRAITS OF A PEOPLE

Etchings by the colonial Flemish artist F. Baltazard Solvyns are getting a new lease of life in an exhibition at the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai

time-read
1 min  |
May 13, 2024
Centennial Man
India Today

Centennial Man

A seminal exhibition of K.G. Subramanyan's works in his birth centenary year at Emami Art, Kolkata takes an imaginative and immersive curatorial approach

time-read
2 mins  |
May 13, 2024
Rhythms of Nature
India Today

Rhythms of Nature

ARTIST AND MUSIC COMPOSER GINGGER SHANKAR'S LATEST SINGLE COMBINES SOUTH INDIAN MUSIC WITH INUIT THROAT SINGING

time-read
1 min  |
May 13, 2024
SEARCHING FOR THE SOUND
India Today

SEARCHING FOR THE SOUND

Kashmiri musician Faheem Abdullah’s debut album Lost; Found is a collaborative effort

time-read
1 min  |
May 13, 2024
FOUND IN TRANSLATION
India Today

FOUND IN TRANSLATION

With its excellent translations, Songs of Tagore makes Rabindrasangit accessible to the non-Bengali reader

time-read
2 mins  |
May 13, 2024
Of Freedom and Friendship
India Today

Of Freedom and Friendship

T.C.A. RAGHAVAN'S CIRCLES OF FREEDOM FOLLOWS THREE YOUNG MUSLIMS DRAWN INTO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE

time-read
2 mins  |
May 13, 2024