Rajinikanth's political entry: Thaliavar's journey from celluloid to politics

With the motto of 'Truth, work and growth', his main agenda will be to bring the change. Tamil Nadu will now practise spiritual politics, he said while announcing his decision in Chennai.

"Over the past one year, the events in Tamil Nadu have put the state to shame. People are laughing," Rajinikanth said, adding, "If I don't make this decision now... the guilt will haunt me".

Kamal Haasan, who announced political entry last month, had challenged the ruling party for weeks, accusing it of corruption and bad governance and promised a whistle-blower app by January.

This morning, he congratulated Rajini for entering politics: "I greet Rajini's social concern and political debut. Welcome welcome."

In 1973, with some financial help from a friend, also a conductor, Rajinikanth joined the Madras Film Institute. At the same time, a stage performance brought him to the attention of director K Balachander, who recommended him to learn Tamil.

Balachander gave Rajini his first break- as a cancer patient in 1975 Tamil movie Apoorva Raagangal. Balachander also chose the name of a character in another film, Rajinikanth, for the young actor. The name literally means 'colour of night'. Rajinikanth's role, though brief, led to bigger and better roles. There was literally no looking back since than.