Rajinikant’s wife has protested the sensationalism associate with the reporting of her husband’s illness, assuring his fans that he is going to Singapore primarily for rejuvination and better treatment.
She said that his condition has not worsened and that is not a reason for his going to Singapore.
“We don’t go abroad just because something is wrong… There’s nothing to worry.. He’s going to Singapore just to rest, there’s nothing else,” Mrs Rajinikant told the media, appealing against spreading any rumors about his health.
Latha and others are concerned about how the news is played because Tamil fans tend to be emotional about such events. Many fear that fans may take drastic action, including hurting themselves, if they fear that Rajinikant is not well. Unlike fans and leaders in the North, in Tamil Nadu, the bond between the leaders and their followers tends to be deeply emotional.
For example, the death of MGR, the first super star of Tamil Cinema on December 24, 1987 after a prolonged illness, sparked off a frenzy of suicides, looting and rioting all over the state of Tamil Nadu. The police had to resort issuing shoot-at-sight orders, according to the Wikipedia.
“The violence during the funeral alone left 29 people dead and 47 police personnel badly wounded. This state of affairs continued for almost a month all over the state of Tamil Nadu. Around one million people followed his remains, around 30 followers committed suicide and people had their heads tonsured,” the site says.
Rajini, the biggest super star of Tamil Nadu has been unwell for the last several weeks. He is reported to have problems with some of his organs, though the family denied it.
“There is nothing alarmingly wrong with him. It is wrong to give wrong news to those who love him so much. He is not in any danger,” Aishwarya, Rajinikant’s daughter said.
While Latha admitted that they would meet more doctors in Singapore, she said the main reason for going there was to get rest. “He is not able to get proper rest here,” she said.
“He is going there for rejuvenation, care and more treatment. He’s completely normal.. and has had his breakfast and bath today,” she said.
Born as Shivaji Rao Gaekwad in a Maharashtrian family in Bangalore in 1950, Rajini embodies the hero who fights against the evil for his fans in Tamil Nadu.
Rajini is even credited with super human powers to defeat evil doers and protect the poor and the good.
The actor himself had a life that resembled the characters that he portrayed. Born into a poor family, Shivaji Rao had to work many odd jobs and ultimately landed up as a bus conductor in Bangalore, before trying his hand as an actor in plays.
places in Chennai and Bangalore. He performed various jobs before joining the then Bangalore Transport Service (BTS) as a bus conductor in Bangalore.[9][10]