In a surprise development on Sunday afternoon, two of the biggest actors in Tamil cinema and new political entrants Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan met at the former’s residence at Poes Garden in Chennai.
The meeting, which lasted for less than 15 minutes, came ahead of Mr. Haasan’s official entry into politics on February 21, when he plans to reveal his party name and unveil the party flag at a public meeting in Madurai.
Even as the meeting set off a speculation that the two actors may join hands, they scotched any such rumours and addressed the media separately after the meeting.
“Even in cinema, his [Kamal Haasan’s] style has been different, my style has been different. In politics too, his style will be different, my style will be different,” Mr. Rajinikanth said after the meeting. “But our aim is the same — to do good for the people of the State,” he added.
Mr. Rajinikanth also said, “He is not coming to politics for fame, money or power, but to do good for the people. I pray to God that he attains success in whatever he does.”
Mr. Haasan termed the meeting as a courtesy call and said that it was a “meeting of friends. This is not related to politics.” Mr. Haasan further said, “I have been meeting people who I like before I start my journey. In the last 40 years, it is a custom in both of our families that if there is some event in my house, we will invite Rajini’s family and vice versa.”
He added that he had invited the ‘Superstar’ to his public meeting in Madurai. “But ultimately, it’s his decision [to come or not],” Mr. Haasan noted.
