Like Kamal, Rajini may tour USA before party launch

The trip is speculated to be for both political as well as personal reasons – as Rajinikanth has earlier travelled to the USA for health check-ups. It is to be recalled that he was also rumoured to have attended a detoxification programme there in 2016, and also spent some time at the Satchitandanda Ashram in Virginia. 

This time around, his trip could follow a similar pattern and the Kaala star could also meet with potential partners or supporters of his campaign - akin to political contemporary Kamal Haasan who met the CEO of Bloom Energy to discuss green energy solutions for Tamil Nadu, when he visited the USA earlier this year. 

Meanwhile, Actor Anand Raj, who has co-starred with Rajini in many films, came out in support of the star on Thursday. After meeting Rajini at his residence in Poes Garden, Anand Raj spoke to reporters and criticised Bharathiraja for his statements. 

Rajinikanth has come under fire recently from director Bharathiraja. He was criticised for his silence on the issue of setting up of Cauvery Management Board and later for his tweet condemning the attack on police personnel during the anti-IPL protests against the delay in formation of the board that was spearheaded by a collective that was formed by the veteran director. Rajini announced his intention to enter politics on December 31 last year. Since then he has moved to consolidate his fan club through the establishment of a nodal body, the Rajini Makkal Mandram. With the appointment of office-bearers for almost all districts complete, there is an expectation that Rajinikanth will announce the launch of his political party in the near future. This was hinted at by his brother Sathyanarayana Rao when he said that any move will be made only after all appointments were completed. 

The rumoured trip to the US comes on the heels of Rajinikanth’s much publicised spiritual trip to the Himalayas earlier this year.