Rajinikanth in US to meet NRIs supporting his political career

A source tells us that in a move akin to Kamal Haasan meeting Dr KR Sridhar, founder and CEO of Bloom Energy in California earlier this year before launching his party Makkal Needhi Maiam, Rajinikanth is also set to meet NRIs who have vouched their support for his political career in the state.

Details of any businessmen, CEOs or sponsors in the US, whom the actor could bring on board of his yet-to-be launched party are kept as a closely guarded secret, with the party launch seemingly delayed even further.

The 68-year-old has also been invited by American chapters of the Rajini Makkal Mandram to meet the US representatives and interact with members there, but it is unclear if Rajinikanth will find time amid his schedule there.

Meanwhile, he also clarified that there were no immediate plans to start a television channel by him days after it emerged that three potential names have been blocked by his camp for registration. However, it seems like the channel could be started before his party is launched.

The Union Commerce Ministry has given permission for two of the names —Thalaivar TV and Rajini TV, to be floated as channels in the future, whereas the third one, Superstar TV, has been rejected.

Prior to his departure on vacation to the US, Rajinikanth spoke to the press, where he said that the move was to prevent any third party fromstarting a channel in those names. He said that it was done as a measure to stop any efforts by others as there had been rumours of a channel to be registered using his name before the launch of his party.

Asked about whether he willbe contesting the Lok Sabha elections like the Makkal Needhi Maiam of Kamal Haasan has planned and on the possible allies if any, Rajinikanth said that the first step would be to start a party and that he will speak about the Lok Sabha elections when the time comes.