Superstar Rajnikanth chose to celebrate his 53rd birthday away from Chennai on Thursday, belying expectations that he would make announcements about his possible political forays.The vernacular media had over the past few days speculated that the actor, whose political aspirations resurfaced during the Cauvery water crisis, would either launch a political party or start a ‘‘people’s movement’’ for linking the rivers on his birthday.The actor not only disappointed them but also scores of fans like Siva, who stood outside his Poes Garden residence longing for a darshan, by remaining out of bounds the whole day.Siva, who works in a factory at Valasarwakkam, had chosen to lose a day’s wages, to meet his thalaivar. ‘‘I have been waiting since 6.30 am but they say he has left the city,’’ he said.Over the past few years, Rajnikanth had made it a practice to issue statements ahead of his birthday urging fans not to take the pains to visit his home. But this time, the star had not issued any such instructions through his secretary Satyanarayana, and so fans assembled outside his house hoping to catch a glimpse of their icon.Since Thursday also happened to be an auspicious day for the followers of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, in whom the actor has immense faith, the fans had hoped that he would be in the city.‘‘The last time, I met Rajni sir, he asked me to concentrate on my job and family first. But I couldn’t resist coming here despite my parent’s opposition. I was just hoping to see him,’’ said Sankar, who had travelled overnight from Erode.‘‘I can’t wait beyond evening as I have to rush to the Tiruttani temple to pull a car to please Lord Muruga so that our saviour lives longer,’’ said Natarajan, who had come from the neighbouring Tiruvallur district.The fans betted on the clothes Rajnikant would wear to while away their time. ‘‘I bet, sir will be dressed in black when he coms to meet us,’’ said one, as his friend vigorously shook his head in disagreement. ‘‘No chance. He will be in sparkling white. It symbolises purity,’’ he said.Soon it was dusk and they left the place cursing their luck. Yet, most of them promised to watch at least one of film of their icon at night.
