​As reported earlier, director Shankar is overseeing the post-production work of his ambitious project 2.0 starring Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson.

The film which was shot on a mammoth budget of Rs 400 crore, went on floors two years ago.

Deccan Chronicle reports that the makers of 2.0 are planning to hold a grand event in Hyderabad in the third week of February, to launch the Telugu teaser of the film. Simultaneously, the Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam teasers will be out on YouTube.

The makers want to make this event a star-studded affair, and are planning to invite several bigwigs from the film industry.

Reportedly, the makers have decided to invite Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi, Malayalam superstars Mohanlal and Mammootty, as well as some big names from Bollywood.

Earlier, it was announced that 2.0 will release worldwide on April 14. However, according to latest reports, we hear that the release has been pushed to April 27.

The final release date is expected to be announced at the grand event in Hyderabad.

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth has extended his wishes to actor Kamal Haasan for announcing his political debut.

"I wish him all the best," said the 67-year-old.

On that note, Haasan, on Tuesday, announced that he will undertake a state-wide tour of Tamil Nadu from February 21 and will also announce the name of his political party and its ideology at the beginning of his journey.

He further announced that the tour will be undertaken in multiple phases. On this tour, which will be flagged off from his hometown of Ramanathapuram, the 'Dasavatharam' actor will be proceeding to the districts of Madurai, Dindigul and Sivagangai, where he will be interacting with locals.

On a related note, Haasan, earlier in September, had said he would be willing to work with Rajinikanth, if the superstar decided to enter politics. Earlier on Wednesday, actor R Madhavan also extended his support to Kamal Haasan for his entry in politics.  

​One lakh and counting

Less than a week after its launch, the ‘Rajini Mandram’ mobile app, launched by Tamil film actor Rajinikanth to kick-start his political career has been downloaded by over a lakh users. This is in contrast to the apps launched by senior politicians such as DMK leaders M. Karunanidhi and M.K. Stalin, PMK’s Anbumani Ramadoss and DMDK founder Vijayakant.

While Mr. Anbumani’s For Change app, which he launched when he projected himself as the Chief Ministerial candidate in 2016, has been downloaded by about 50,000 users, most other apps of politicians have found acceptance among 10,000 or fewer mobile phone users. ASK, an app launched recently by actor-politician R. Sarathkumar, who is also keen on projecting himself as an alternative leader, has seen about a thousand downloads.

Aspiring politician and leading actor Kamal Haasan too had indicated that he will formally launch his app maiam whistle in January.

Does the popularity of Mr. Rajinikanth’s app indicate that traditional politicians have failed to tap technology to reach a larger audience or have not found acceptance from the tech savvy people?

Mr. Palanivel Thiagarajan of the DMK, and MLA from Madurai Central who heads the party’s Information Technology cell, acknowledges that having an app helps in two-way communication, monitoring responsiveness, identify who is an active supporter, analyse trends among other things. “But the most important thing is it helps us get feedback,” he says.

Mr. Anbumani agrees that with more than two crore households in Tamil Nadu with a smart phone, the app helps politicians reach citizens easily.
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According to Mr. Ramadoss, the app also helps in communicating directly with the users.

Chennai: Taking the next step towards formally launching a political party, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth has converted his fan clubs association into “People’s Forum”. The web portal www.rajinimandram.org, launched by the actor, has changed its title from All India Rajinikanth Fans Association to Rajini Makkal Mandram without much fanfare.
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Sources said Rajinikanth feels strengthening the Makkal Mandram by eliciting support from various quarters of society is necessary before launching the political party. They said since nearly 4 to 5 lakh people have already registered themselves on the portal and app, the actor is hopeful of more people supporting his call for a “political revolution” in Tamil Nadu.

Both the mobile app and web portal sported the name “Rajini Makkal Mandram” instead of All India Rajinikanth Fans Association, which existed till Friday.

Rajinikanth, while announcing his intention to launch a political party and contest all 234 constituencies in the next assembly elections, had made it clear that he will not make any political comment till his outfit takes shape. He had also asked his fans to follow suit.

“The views expressed by such individuals do not reflect our official position in such matters,” V. M. Sudhakar, administrator of All India Rajinikanth Fans Association said in a press release.  

The statement comes six days after Rajinikanth launched a web portal and a mobile application asking his fans and “those yearning for a change” to register themselves. The actor has also sought time to announce the name and flag of his party. 

The politics of hero worship will further depoliticize the state.

Rajinikanth’s decision to enter politics was expected. His announcement that he will contest all the 234 constituencies in the next state assembly elections has made his intentions clear. But more than his own intentions, we can also understand the intentions of those who are behind him.

Rather than asking what Rajinikanth will do when he takes to power, it is important to ask what will happen to Tamil politics because of his entry.
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India is a parliamentary democracy. What does a democracy do? It makes an individual a citizen. Actors are those who financially gain by fans watching their movies and making them blockbusters. So, what happens when actors become politicians? Citizens become fans. Even in his speech, he said that his fans must start clubs all across the state. His intention, therefore, is to convert the citizens of the state into his fans. Fans are worshippers, they do not ask questions, they bow their heads in front of a leader and obey him. Fans see not a leader, but a Fuhrer in him. They voluntarily surrender before the Fuhrer without any question.

The father of our Constitution, BR Ambedkar, once said, “Hero-worship is demoralizing for the devotee and dangerous to the country.” Rajini encourages hero-worship, and he and his ‘Fan club Politics’ are dangerous. It is not only religion which can drive people to hero-worship, cinema too can.

Today, cinema theatres have become temples. Film stars have become gods. Rajinikanth’s politics is an expression of this phenomenon. The backdrop of his stage, the symbol he shows with his hands, are from the movie ‘Baba’, which was a flop. That’s what he is bringing to politics, and even he cannot be confident that he will be a hit in politics. Yet, why is he coming to politics? Because he is preparing the ground for communal politics.

Even if there is much to criticize about Dravidian politics, it this ideology which has set Tamil Nadu apart from the rest of India. BJP knows that only by destroying Dravidian politics can their communal politics take root in the state. Their defeat in RK Nagar polls has demonstrated their need for Rajinikanth. It is certain that the field he is preparing will be fertile for communal politics. He might say ‘Spiritualism’, but that is just another word for communalism. Even the BJP does not call itself a religious party, they also call themselves spiritual. That is what Rajinikanth is parroting today.

The BJP government tried to make the Bhagvat Gita India’s holy book, and today, Rajini started his political speech with a sloka from the Gita. It is very clear. His ‘spirituality’ is Hindu spirituality, there is no place for Christianity or Islam in it. He does not know or talk about the spiritualism in any other religion but Hinduism. He knows that he cannot survive in Tamil Nadu by openly espousing this, which he has learned from the setback of the BJP in the state, that is why he says ‘spiritualism’. But I am sure the Tamil people will understand this, and reject him.

As a political party, the VCK does not have any objections to Rajini’s entry into politics. However, the opportunity for Dalit people to free themselves from the illusion of movies has just arrived. Instead of changing Dalits into politically conscious people, his entry will cause great damage.

MGR was often portrayed as the protector of the poor on screen. What we should not forget is that in his rule, ultimately it was not the oppressed people who gained political power. Rajinikanth is viewing politics like a film project. Just like “we should release the movie and make money”, he is now saying “let’s go to war and emerge victorious”. Our leaders did not just enter politics to win. The service of the people is the priority and electoral victories and losses always take second place. But there is no mention of serving the people in Rajini’s speech. This is why I consider Rajini’s entry into politics will end up endangering Dalits.
Rajinikanth is not a man for change, he is for status quo. He has no idea of social change, he only talking about political party system. He has no social or economic thinking.

I believe that Rajinikanth’s politics must be aggressively countered and its success prevented.

Views expressed are those of the author and not of Itz Chennai.

D Ravikumar is the General Secretary of VCK, a writer and an anti-caste activist.

Rajinikanth is seated on a sofa, while the now-famous 'Baba' hand symbol is framed behind him.

 day after actor Rajinikanth announced his entry into politics, he took to Twitter to announce the launch of a website that will register members from his registered and unregistered fan clubs as well as those willing to join his party. Although he is yet to announce name for the party and its organisational structure, he had said in his speech that the priority would be to register unregistered fan clubs.
In a video address that opens with the words “Honesty, Hard Work and Progress”, Rajinikanth makes the announcement. After thanking all those who welcomed his entry into politics, he says, “In order to bring about good governance in Tamil Nadu, I have started a rajinimandram.org page for registered fan clubs, unregistered fan clubs and the people of Tamil Nadu. There you can register your name and voter ID number and become a member. Let's bring about a good change in governance in Tamil Nadu. Long live the people of Tamil Nadu. Growth to Tamil Nadu.”
Rajinikanth is seated on a sofa, while the now-famous 'Baba' hand symbol is framed behind him.

In his speech on December 31, Rajinikanth had said that his first priority would be to register all the unregistered fan clubs. “I have several thousand fan clubs, in village and cities all across the state. The unregistered ones are twice as many. We need to get the unregistered clubs registered, and unite them all together. This is an important task, and our first task,” he said.

While the website is called Rajini Mandram, it is uncertain if this would be the name of his party.

Shortly thereafter, in a press release signed by him, the All India Rajinikanth Fans Association also announced the launch of an Android app for registering the same details. The statement too had the Baba movie symbol.
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It is estimated that there are around 50,000 unregistered fan clubs for Rajinikanth, large and small, function throughout the state. His official fan association had stopped registering members way back in 1996-1997.

"This is a joke, Tamil Nadu requires something serious."

Following actor Rajinikanth’s decision to take the political plunge, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has lashed out at the superstar, calling him illiterate and a ‘media hype’.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Swamy said, “He has only announced that he is entering politics. He had no details or documents. He is illiterate. It is only media hype. The people of Tamil Nadu are intelligent.” He further added that he will ‘expose’ Rajini.

Speaking to reporters, he said, “Rajini is an uneducated man. What will he tell us? This is a just an age-old story of another Tamil actor joining politics. I will always oppose Rajnikanth.”

"This is a joke, Tamil Nadu requires something serious. The mood in Tamil Nadu is to get rid of all the film stars in politics. Rajini is entering politics at the wrong time and place. He should be worried, in fact, that all his black money trail will come into the limelight. The people of Tamil Nadu will not fall into Rajini fan clubs' song and dance. Fans club cannot become a political outfit," added Swamy.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu BJP welcomed Rajinikanth’s decision to start a political party. State president of the party Tamilisai Soundararajan praised him for his aim to eradicate corruption in Tamil Nadu through his political entry. 

On Sunday, dressed in a white kurta and pants, Rajinikanth walked into the Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam in Chennai’s T Nagar to an audience of excited fans and TV cameras that were ready to finally capture the moment. As Rajini walked on stage, the fans cheered for their ‘Thalaivar’, who had announced an announcement less than a week ago.
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And minutes later, the question that Tamil Nadu has been asking for decades was answered in six simple words: "My entry into politics is certain."

To a roaring audience, Rajinikanth said, "I will form my own political party and contest from all 234 seats in the next assembly election."

He further added, "About Lok Sabha polls, I will decide then. I am not here for money or fame, you have already given that to me a thousand times over. I am not enamored by position or post. 

​Superstar Rajinikanth has been hinting towards his inclination to join politics and bring about a change in the current scenario in the state of Tamil Nadu. Thalaivaa met his fans over a few days just recently and while all wanted to know about his decision, he asked them to wait till December 31st. While opinion is divided about how Rajinikanth’s appeal will help him enter, stay and grow in politics, fans are sure that their megastar is what their state needs.

​And now, just a day ahead of Rajinikanth’s big announcement tomorrow, filmmaker Raghava Lawrence has released a song Porukku Vaa Thalaivaa‬ which is a tribute to the megastar and welcomes him into the world of politics. Lawrence released and posted the song today on his social media today and it has been going viral since then.  Check out his tweet about the song and watch the song yourself to celebrate the greatness that Rajinikanth is. 

​Will he join an already existing party or float his own or will be postpone the plan for a few more months or years, all this and more about Rajinikanth’s political plans will be revealed tomorrow. On the work front in films, Thalaivaa has 2.0 and Kaala waiting to release in the next year. There were reports that Thala wanted all the promotional activities regarding his two films to be done with before he invests himself fully into politics. If joining politics will mean giving up working in films, we are sure this will come as a big blow to his fans. We are sure most Rajni fans are spending nail-biting moments as they wait for tomorrow. Let’s see what’s in store for us.

Chennai: 2017 was politically tumultuous for Tamil Nadu keeping the ruling AIADMK busy in putting its house in order as it faced storm after storm post-Jayalalithaa and the year also saw cinema veterans Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan hinting at entering public life.
'Resort politics' came to dominate the headlines even as a new dispensation under Chief Minister K Palanisamy took over following a rebellion by his predecessor O Panneerselvam against V K Sasikala in February.

In winds of change, TTV Dhinakaran, who was initially appointed AIADMK deputy chief by his aunt Sasikala, was now struggling to stay afloat with dwindling legislators' support and the challenge of a unified AIADMK.

Sensing the vacuum, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan dropped adequate hints of a political plunge, keeping alive a tradition of cinema stars graduating to politics.

Former chief ministers -- the late C N Annadurai, M G Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa -- besides other actors like S S Rajendran, Sarath Kumar and D Napolean have forayed into politics for successful careers.

According to Rajinikant, the "system is rotten" as he asked his fans to "prepare for a war".
Haasan, in particular, went ballistic against the ruling AIADMK on corruption, throwing regular barbs against the government, with the ministers criticising him.

A self-declared rationalist, he courted controversy when he hit out at what he called Hindu extremism.

Ailing DMK chief M Karunanidhi, now in his 90s, too is not a novice to Tamil Nadu filmdom, having been a successful script-writer.

The demise of Jayalalithaa in December last year found its echo during the entire 2017, with the state government constituting a one-man commission to inquire into the circumstances and situation leading to her hospitalisation in September 22 and death on December 5, 2016.
The internal churning in the ruling AIADMK dominated the headlines, starting in February.
What seemed to have been a smooth ascension to power for Sasikala came a cropper with Panneerselvam throwing a spanner in the works.

Having elected the AIADMK chief last December, the decks were cleared for elevation of Jayalalithaa's close confidante as chief minister, when Sasikala was elected AIADMK's Legislature Party leader on February 5.

However, the then chief minister Panneerselvam had misgivings.

Jayalalithaa's 'Man Friday' and now deputy chief minister Panneerselvam made a sensational claim two days later that he was forced to make way for Sasikala's elevation. He sat on meditation at the memorial of Jayalalithaa in Marina beach, sowing the first seeds of a revolt against Sasikala.

Panneerselvam's rebellion virtually set the cat among the pigeons, as an otherwise tight knit and disciplined AIADMK saw the first split in its ranks, decades after the death of its founder, MGR, in 1987.

The party was then divided between Jayalalithaa and V N Janaki, MGR's widow, before the former united it and brought it under the 'two leaves' symbol.

With an imminent trust vote staring at her party, Sasikala lodged her MLAs at a resort at nearby Koovathur for days together in February, earning the label 'resort politics'.

Sasikala herself made repeated trips to keep the morale of her legislators high. In the meantime, she also met then governor Ch Vidysagar Rao and staked claim to form the government.

However, the Supreme Court, which had reserved judgement in the Rs 66.66 crore disproportionate assets cases in which Jayalalithaa was the main accused, convicted Sasikala, dashing her hopes of leading the state.
The apex court awarded her a four-year jail term, which she is currently serving in Bengaluru.

As a parting shot, Sasikala brought back her relatives Dhinakaran and S Venkatesh into AIADMK, making Dhinakaran her deputy and in-charge of affairs.

The two were among Sasikala's relatives who were expelled by Jayalalithaa in 2011. Then Sasikala loyalist Palanisamy was elected Legislature Party leader, becoming the second chief minister of the state in less than two months after Panneerselvam, who took over following the demise of Jayalalithaa in December 2016.

Meanwhile, the two camps led by Panneerselvam and the chief minister continued to face-off, even as the ruling faction fielded Dhinakaran in the April 12 bypoll to RK Nagar, earlier held by Jayalalithaa, which was later cancelled.

The Election Commission rescinded the poll following complaints of money power. However, things soon took an unexpected turn when Palanisamy revolted against Dhinakaran, with a section of the state cabinet announcing sidelining the former MP.

Panneerselvam and Palanisamy merged their respective factions after many rounds of talks in August, a move that further agitated the Dhinakaran camp.

The very next day, 19 MLAs supporting the beleaguered leader revolted against the chief minister, later prompting their disqualification as legislators by Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal. One MLA later switched over to the ruling
camp.

The patch-up between Panneerselvam and Palanisamy saw the former becoming deputy chief minister in the government.

Later, a general council of the unified AIADMK sacked Sasikala as interim general secretary and annulled all appointments made by her, effectively targeting Dhinakaran.

The camp got a shot in its arm when the Election Commission awarded the 'two leaves' symbol to it.

Now, Dhinakaran is fighting the December 21 bypoll to RK Nagar as an independent.​