This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-42527290
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Indian superstar Rajinikanth tells fans he is entering politics | Indian superstar Rajinikanth tells fans he is entering politics |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Indian film superstar Rajinikanth, who has a huge following in the country and is one of Asia's highest paid actors, has announced he is entering politics. | Indian film superstar Rajinikanth, who has a huge following in the country and is one of Asia's highest paid actors, has announced he is entering politics. |
The 67-year-old, who works mostly in Tamil cinema, said that he will "form my own political party" ahead of the next Indian state assembly election. | The 67-year-old, who works mostly in Tamil cinema, said that he will "form my own political party" ahead of the next Indian state assembly election. |
Rajinikanth said it was his "duty to change the system" in Tamil Nadu state. | Rajinikanth said it was his "duty to change the system" in Tamil Nadu state. |
The state has been politically unstable since the death last year of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram. | The state has been politically unstable since the death last year of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram. |
Jayalalitha was also a former film star. | |
Addressing a packed hall of cheering supporters in the southern Indian city of Chennai (formerly Madras) on Sunday, Rajinikanth said that his aim was to contest "all 234 seats" in the assembly. | Addressing a packed hall of cheering supporters in the southern Indian city of Chennai (formerly Madras) on Sunday, Rajinikanth said that his aim was to contest "all 234 seats" in the assembly. |
"If I don't take this decision now, the guilt will haunt me," he said, adding: "I am not doing it for any post or money or fame as I have enough." | "If I don't take this decision now, the guilt will haunt me," he said, adding: "I am not doing it for any post or money or fame as I have enough." |
Fans let off fire-crackers, danced to music and shouted slogans of support following the announcement, AFP news agency reports. | Fans let off fire-crackers, danced to music and shouted slogans of support following the announcement, AFP news agency reports. |
Rajinikanth's entrance into politics was widely anticipated after the actor dropped several hints that he was considering the move. | Rajinikanth's entrance into politics was widely anticipated after the actor dropped several hints that he was considering the move. |
In May, Rajinikanth told his fans to be "ready for war" at the right time to take on the "corrupt" political system and a "rotten" democracy. | In May, Rajinikanth told his fans to be "ready for war" at the right time to take on the "corrupt" political system and a "rotten" democracy. |
"If God wills, I will enter politics tomorrow. If I do, I will be truthful and will not entertain the corrupt people," he said at the time. | "If God wills, I will enter politics tomorrow. If I do, I will be truthful and will not entertain the corrupt people," he said at the time. |
Tamil Nadu state plunged into crisis after the death of its former chief minister in December 2016. It eventually led to a split in the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party, or AIADMK. | Tamil Nadu state plunged into crisis after the death of its former chief minister in December 2016. It eventually led to a split in the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party, or AIADMK. |
Who is Rajinikanth? | Who is Rajinikanth? |
Referred to simply as "The Superstar" in his native Tamil Nadu state, Rajinikanth famously worked as a bus conductor in the southern Indian city of Bangalore before heading to Chennai in 1973 to pursue an acting career. | Referred to simply as "The Superstar" in his native Tamil Nadu state, Rajinikanth famously worked as a bus conductor in the southern Indian city of Bangalore before heading to Chennai in 1973 to pursue an acting career. |
He has a devoted fan base in the state, which is home to more than 70 million people. | |
Rajinikanth, whose real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, has appeared in close to 200 films since 1975, many of which have broken box-office records. | Rajinikanth, whose real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, has appeared in close to 200 films since 1975, many of which have broken box-office records. |
In 2016, his film Kabali swept India with hundreds of thousands of fans flocking to cinemas across the country. | In 2016, his film Kabali swept India with hundreds of thousands of fans flocking to cinemas across the country. |
Businesses gave employees time off to avoid "sick" days, a jumbo jet was repainted in honour of the film and Twitter India "broke" several times. | Businesses gave employees time off to avoid "sick" days, a jumbo jet was repainted in honour of the film and Twitter India "broke" several times. |
The film made $30m (£20m) in rights sales before it was even released. | The film made $30m (£20m) in rights sales before it was even released. |
Previous version
1
Next version