New Delhi: Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi launched his political party, Prajarajyam, on Tuesday following in the footsteps of the likes of MGR and NTR.
Chiranjeevi promise of people’s power capitalises on the disillusionment with mainstream political parties in Andhra Pradesh.
“I understand the problems of people, you people needed my help, ” Chiranjeevi said.
Chiranjeevi’s transition is part of a long tradition of actors courting politics in south India, like MGR’s AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and NTR’s Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh
“It is the disillusionment of the people that will give a spur to this movement. It is easier for stars to cash on such situation as they have a mass appeal, ” says Editor, Tuglaq, Cho Ramaswamy.
But will Chiranjeevi’s blockbuster political debut make Tamil superstar Rajinikanth take that much-anticipated plunge into politics?
The actor who has been wooed by many a political party has been maintaining a deliberate silence.
Yet, he has made news for his comments on political issues and sometimes the lack of them. The actor most recent run-in with politics was when pro-Kannada groups threatened to stall the release of his film Kuselan because of comments he made on the Hoggenakkal issue.
In 2002, Rajini became the target of attack after he refused to participate in the Tamil film industry’s rally on the Cauvery issue.
The actor then went on a much-publicised fast asking for a peaceful settlement and interlinking rivers.
The superstar is also said to have disguised himself to attend a political rally on the Ram Setu issue.
For now, he sticks to what he does best: mind it.