dailyO
Voices

When Rajinikanth opened up to me about his spiritual journey

Advertisement
Pooja Shali
Pooja ShaliMar 19, 2018 | 19:03

When Rajinikanth opened up to me about his spiritual journey

An entry has been marked in my journal, in bold. On March 13 at 2.10pm, I met Rajinikanth, considered the biggest superstar alive in Indian cinema. The actor, whose legendary status is well-known, granted a glimpse into his personal life during this meeting. This was a man flaunting a steady serene smile, seemingly at peace with himself.

rajiniii690_031918065642.jpg

I was tasked with reporting his spiritual journey ahead of a new role in politics. I had already been tracking his mystical sojourn since a year. In November 2017, I trekked to the site closest to Rajinikanth's heart. He has built an accommodation for devotees near a cave in Almora, where he makes frequent pilgrimages. The experience one day led me to impulsively ask Rajinikanth about his search for self.

Advertisement

After an early morning drive of six hours, I reached Rishikesh, nestled in the foothills of Himalayas in Uttarakhand, and asked local residents for the Dayanand Saraswati Ashram. We parked ourselves at the entry gate and awaited the arrival of Thalaiva.

Only a few ashram members were aware of the VIP's arrival. Everything was normal. After a few false alarms, an Innova car loaded with bags drove in. Holding the microphone in hand, I ran with the video journalist accompanying me and stopped near the vehicle.

The door opened and the biggest celebrity of Indian cinema walked out. Clad in a white kurta-pyjama, he was the anti-thesis of the star we watch on screen. The larger-than-life, demi-god figure was in fact a simple looking gentleman. I posed the first question and the second and the next. He answered all, engaging intently.

For the next three days that I tracked him from a distance within the premises, I realised two specific aspects. First, Rajinikanth is mindful of his legendary status but not immersed in it. Second, he is searching for something more, beyond the cult he has already become.

Advertisement

For the first time ever, he said on-camera, "I have not become a full-time politician yet. My purpose is to realise the human self, the God. The ultimate motto of my life is that."

Each question on politics was politely evaded while queries on self-discovery were answered with a smile and an elaborate response. His eyes beamed when eloquently speaking about the Himalayan journey.

People started to queue outside his room. Visitors from Tamil Nadu were seen falling to his feet, clicking photographs from their phones. They were in awe realising the man who walked past, was the megastar himself.

rajini690_031918065746.jpg

Accompanied by only two local policemen, he walked around the ashram, unrecognisable had it not been for the crowd of fans. He obliged many with photographs and reporters managed to grab appealing visuals.

Early morning, he meditated and offered prayers. Private sessions were organised by spiritual teachers bestowing lessons on mysticism, religion and spirituality. The teachers were dressed in saffron while Rajnikanth adorned plain white clothes.

He did not stop the cameras from recording his charity work. While donating to saints and the poor, distributing books to school students, he was aware of the cameras rolling a few metres away.

Advertisement

The actor did not need the publicity but an emerging neta may. Each move will signal the politics he shall perform.

While TTV Dinakaran and Kamal Hasan have launched their parties, Rajinikanth is building an image first. The attempt is to separate the actor and render to public a leader, who cares about the masses.

He told me, "I am praying for the welfare of humankind. Offering prayers that everyone should find their peace of mind. Here, as I enjoy the divinity of Himalayas, I have forgotten Rajinikanth (the star)."

The image outlining him is of a man concerned about "public welfare" through spirituality.

Nobody should underestimate this journey, least of all his soon-to-be political opponents. Underneath the path to self discovery are enormous preparations for politics.

His fans waiting to catch a glimpse of their Thalaiva say the delay in launching the party means "something big will come soon and we want to give him a chance".

Why would a legend, who has it all, want to start afresh? Will the saffron hue stay merely spiritual or turn political? The questions will be answered soon after he returns to Tamil Nadu and gears up for a new role in real life. Rajinikanth's enlightened self will be required to see him through his biggest challenge ever.

Last updated: March 19, 2018 | 21:01
IN THIS STORY
Please log in
I agree with DailyO's privacy policy