Superstar Rajinikanth discusses politics, spirituality with Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi

Asked if he discussed politics with Governor RN Ravi, Rajinikanth confirmed it, but did not choose to elaborate on it.

ByShilpa Nair

Published Aug 08, 2022 | 3:47 PMUpdatedAug 16, 2022 | 12:15 PM

Rajinikanth with Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi

Actor Rajinikanth called on Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai on Monday, 8 August, triggering political speculations.

The meeting came a day after the actor returned from New Delhi, where he attended the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav event — a campaign to commemorate 75 years of India’s independence — hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Though Rajinikanth termed his meeting with Governor RN Ravi a “courtesy visit”, it set the political circles abuzz, especially because the actor claimed that among other things, politics was a topic of discussion between the two.

However, he also denied he was planning to enter active politics.

What Rajinikanth said

Speaking to reporters outside his Poes Garden residence in Chennai, Rajinikanth said the meeting with the governor lasted 25-30 minutes.

Asked if politics was discussed, the actor replied in the affirmative, but refused to share further details.

“Yes. We did discuss politics, but I cannot share more information about it with you,” he told reporters.

When prodded on whether the duo talked about the 2024 general elections, the actor again said he could not share more details about what the two of them discussed.

However, responding to a question about whether he had any plans of taking the political plunge, Rajinikanth ruled out his entry into politics.

Speaking about Ravi, Rajinikanth said the governor was impressed with the “spiritual feeling” in Tamil Nadu.

“The governor was born in Kashmir and has lived in North India. He really likes Tamil Nadu, especially the Tamil people who are honest and hardworking. He likes it very much. Importantly, he liked the spiritual feeling in Tamil Nadu,” the actor said.

“What he told me was that he is ready to do anything for the good of Tamil Nadu,” Rajinikanth added.

Asked for his comments on the 5 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) being imposed on essential food items, he said that he had “no comments” on it.

Governor-government tussle

The meeting comes at a time when the DMK government in Tamil Nadu has been at loggerheads with the governor on various issues.

These include accusations of him sitting on several pieces of legislation passed by the Assembly, his favourable stance towards the National Educational Policy which the DMK has been opposing, and his recent controversial statements on Sanathana Dharma being a way of life.

Rajinikanth — often perceived to be close to the BJP — finally called it quits with politics in December 2020, citing health concerns, after dabbling with the idea of entering the fray to change the “system”.

In July 2021, he dissolved the Rajini Makkal Mandram, which was supposed to be his political launch vehicle.