‘Get Rajinified’
This section examines both national and transnational devotee-fans of Tamil superstar, Rajinikanth. Although his devotee-fans draw some parallels between Rajinikanth and Hindu gods, in general, they situate their “God of Style” above existing Hindu divinities. In Chapter 5 of the book, I investigate three major issues: the construction of Rajinikanth as a star deity by his devotee-fans in India, his transnational devotee-fans in the US and the sociopolitical activism generated by his global devotional fandom.
Note: *Some images are linked to fan videos and other resourceful links (such as newspaper articles, fan club websites,etc.). Click when the cursor shows a hand sign on the image to access the information.
Rajinikanth's Image Pasted Above Hindu God, Murugan, Tamil Nadu, 2008
Huge Cutout of Rajinikanth for the Film Darbar, Tamil Nadu, 2020
Poster of Rajinikanth with Buddha and Jesus, Photograph by A Ganesh Nadar
"Rajinikanth Temple" in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, November 2023. "For us, Rajinikanth is God. I have built a temple for him as a mark of respect," Karthik, devotee-fan of Rajinikanth.
Milk Bath (Palabhishekam) of Rajinikanth's Cutout from Enthiran, Tamil Nadu, 2010
Worship of Rajinikanth's Posters and Cutouts for the Film, Anathee, Tamil Nadu, 2021
Milk Bath (Palabhishekam) of Rajinikanth's Cutout from the Film, Enthiran, USA (New Jersey) 2010
Milk Bath (Palabhishekam) for the Banner of the Film, Jailer, USA 2023. "Dallas Pre-event celebration touched new height. Erected biggest banner ever in USA. 5000 waala fireworks. 25 liters milk poured over Thalaivar Dhirsti Poosani at the end . Count down starts for FDFS"- Rajinikanth USA Fans
Worship of Rajinikanth's Film Poster, Jailer, 2023, California, USA
Milk Bath (Palabhishekam) on the Banner of Rajinikanth's Film, Jailer, Tamil Nadu, 2023
Worship of Rajnikanth's Banner for the Film, Jailer, France, Rajini Makkal Mandaram, 2023
Rajinikanth Fans Offer Ladoo (Prasad) to the Image of Rajnikanth for the Film Sivaji, Tamil Nadu, 2007
Milk Bath (Palabhishekam) of Rajinikanth's Cutout from the Film Kochadaiiyaan with Fans Displaying Rajinikanth's Signature Hand Gesture, Tamil Nadu 2014
Milk Bath (Palabhishekam) of Rajinikanth's Cutout from Enthiran, Tamil Nadu, 2010
Poster of the Film, Baba, with Rajinikanth's Signature Hand Gesture, 2002
Rajinikanth Fans Wearing T-shirt Displaying Rajinikanth's Hand Gesture
Fans Display Rajinikanth's Hand Gesture During Celebration of the Film, Jailer, Tamil Nadu 2023
USA Rajinikanth Fans Celebrate Inside the Theater
Arati of Rajinikanth's Cutout, Enthiran, Serra Theater, USA (Milpitas, CA), 2010
Rajinikanth Fans Dancing Next to the Screen Image of Rajinikanth, Petta, Tamil Nadu, 2020
Cutout for the Film, Darbar, USA Rajinikanth fans (CA), 2020
Rajinikanth Fans Celebrate the Film, Lingaa, Hosur, Tamil Nadu 2014
Rajinikanth USA Fans Perform Arati of their Superstar's Logo on the TV screen, c.2002
Annaatthe Celebrations, Tamil Nadu, 2021
Garlanding and Arati of Rajinikanth's Cutout by USA Fans for the film Darbar, RMNNA, NYNJ (New York New Jersey) Chapter, 2020
Arati by USA Female Rajinikanth Fans for Rajnikanth's Poster from Darbar, RMNNA, NYNJ (New York New Jersey) Chapter, 2020
USA Rajnikanth Fans Perform Arati inside the theater, New Jersey, 2021
Arati of Rajnikanth's Image from Annaatthe, Tamil Nadu, 2021
Devotee-fan Art, Greeting card with Mahavatar Babaji ("The Ageless Yogi"), Rajinikanth and the President of Rajnikanth Fan Club, Tamil Nadu, 2006
Rajinikanth Singapore Fan, "Rajini Chan" Dressed in Tamil Attire for screening of the film, Kabali, 2016
Rajinism and Darshan, "It was never in the words but always in the eyes," Devotee-fan art, SSRF (Superstar Singapore Rajnikanth Fans), 2022
Rajinikanth Tamil and Japanese Fans Holding the Plaque, "Rajinism is our Religion"
Celebration of Rajinikanth's Film Sivaji, Tamil Nadu, 2010,
Devotee-fan Art, Banner for Sivaji, Tamil Nadu, 2007
Devotee-fan Art, Hoarding Displaying Rajinikanth Walking with Gandhi, Tamil Nadu
!["Rajinikanth shows the Apana Mudra [his signature hand gesture] during a press conference to announce the launch of his political party in Chennai, December 3, 2020. The actor had used the mudra extensively in his 2002 film, Baba." Photograph by R Se](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63c06e810f05fb64998a9cb8/b059b5e6-55bc-4eee-9a79-298c34978932/Rajinikanth+hand+gesture.jpg)
"Rajinikanth shows the Apana Mudra [his signature hand gesture] during a press conference to announce the launch of his political party in Chennai, December 3, 2020. The actor had used the mudra extensively in his 2002 film, Baba." Photograph by R Senthil
Rajinikanth Behind the Apana Mudra Symbol, 2017, SSRF
USA Rajinikanth Fans, RMNNA North Carolina Chapter, 2020
Logo for Rajinikanth Fan Association
USA Rajinikanth Fans with his Signature Hand Gesture, North Carolina, USA, 2020
Rajinikanth Fan Association (RMNNA), North America and Canada, 2018
Social Work in Tamil Nadu by RMMNA
Devotee-fan art by RANA Carolina -Rajini Association of North America -Carolina, 2021
RANA Carolina -Rajini Association of North America -Carolina
"RANA- Rajini association of North America in the DC area is a Charitable, Cultural, Secular and Non-Religious group run by Super Star Rajini fans & Volunteers. The purpose is to serve people all over the world with full heart regardless of religious, race and ethnicity", 2021