Two days after actor Kamal Haasan launched his political party – Makkal Needhi Maiam – in Madurai, his contemporary Rajinikanth wished him success for his endeavour.
Rajini, also looking to take the political plunge, congratulated Haasan on the milestone. Addressing his fans in Chennai, the superstar said:
The way Kamal Haasan launched his party was outstanding. His party flag and principles are also good. I congratulated when he came to meet me. Now, I want to congratulate him once again for his successful first public meet.
Stating that though Haasan and he traverse on different paths in terms of their political ideologies, their aim was to serve people.
Even though Haasan and I travel in different paths, our goal is the same. Our routes might be different, but motto is the same: to serve people.
Haasan had earlier met Rajini on Sunday, 18 February, before embarking on a political sojourn to Madurai. Rajinikanth had then addressed the media following the visit. "Kamal wants to serve the people of Tamil Nadu. I will pray to God that he will attain success," he said.
When asked whether the two would join hands, Rajinikanth had said, "My style and his are different even in movies."
Earlier in February, Haasan had said a political alliance with Rajinikanth was unlikely. Speaking at Harvard University in the US, Kamal had, in conversation with journalist Barkha Dutt, said:
We can exist as friends be on one side. But polity is different. I am trying to make a difference to my state. Our general intent may be the good of the people. But I believe that there is a certain way in which good will have to come to the people.
(The Quint, in association with BitGiving, has launched a crowdfunding campaign for an 8-month-old who was raped in Delhi on 28 January 2018. The baby girl, who we will refer to as 'Chhutki', was allegedly raped by her 28-year-old cousin when her parents were away. She has been discharged from AIIMS hospital after undergoing three surgeries, but needs more medical treatment in order to heal completely. Her parents hail from a low-income group and have stopped going to work so that they can take care of the baby. You can help cover Chhutki's medical expenses and secure her future. Every little bit counts. Click here to donate.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)