Rajinikanth warns fans against 'indiscipline': Political statement or insulation for Kaala?

Tamil actor Rajinikanth has warned his fans against any "indiscipline," saying anyone who goes against the rules of his fan club will be cast out with immediate effect. The move comes just two days after his fans protested against fringe outfits that had been agitating against his possible entry into Tamil Nadu politics on the ground that he was born and brought up in Karnataka. 

The move also comes on the same day as the release of his first look from upcoming film Kaala, in which he teams up again with Pa Ranjith, the director who helped him return to his hit ways with Kabali. The film also stars rising popular actor Dhanush. 

Political move?

That Rajinikanth has been harbouring political ambitions for quite some time now is not news to his fans. However, those feeling threatened by his possible entry into Tamil Nadu politics area already starting to hit back, primarily on the lines of he being an "outsider" — a tag strong enough to at least put a halt on, if not end, political careers. 

Among the most prominent of these politicians was BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who pointed to Rajinikanth's Marathi lineage, as is evident from his original name Shivajirao Gaekwad. Rajinikanth later told fans he had spent almost double the time in Tamil Nadu as in Karnataka, and the fans' love had made him Tamil. 

Nevertheless, when a Tamil fringe group protested against the Superstar outside his house, his fans staged a counter-protest against that group. It is in response to this that Rajinikanth has said in a letter: "I am authorising VM Sudhakar [who helps run the All India Rajinikanth Fans Welfare Club] to remove functionaries and members of our club from its primary membership if they are found maligning its discipline and reputation."

 It could be a way of ensuring he distances himself from his fans who take their love for him a bit too far by doing something untoward that can give his political rivals something to corner him with. 

Insulation for Kaala?

Rajinikanth's upcoming film Kaala purportedly tells the story of the hardships Tamil people face in Maharashtra, or more specifically, Mumbai. This could be a tactical move by Rajinikanth, one with which he can further cement his Tamil identity while distancing himself from his roots. 

However, any indiscipline by his fans could also bring out more fringe groups against him and end up hurting the earning prospects of Kaala. Therefore, the actor's warning for his fans could also be a way of insulating his upcoming film from such protests.