'Jayalalithaa’s supporters took me in a jeep and attacked me, it was Bhagyaraj who saved me'; Rajinikanth opens up

CHENNAI: Superstar Rajinikanth has opened up about an incident in which he was attacked by a mob for speaking against the Jayalalithaa government. He revealed that it was actor, director and screenwriter K Bhagyaraj who saved him during that incident. Rajinikanth shared the experience at a function organised to honour Bhagyaraj for completing 50 years in Indian cinema.

Sharing the incident, Rajinikanth said it happened in 1995, when veteran actor Sivaji Ganesan was awarded the Chevalier honour. A grand function was organised to felicitate him, attended by people from the film industry and politics. The then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had organised the event. Rajinikanth said he was asked to deliver the vote of thanks at the end of the programme.

"I don’t hold on to anger for long, but when I get a chance to speak, it sometimes bursts out. What I said in my speech that day deeply affected Jayalalithaa.

When I came down from the stage, AIADMK workers and supporters turned against me. They asked me to get into a jeep. Even though people with me tried to stop them, I got in. They drove the jeep around the ground. During this, they hit me on the head, assaulted me, abused me, and shouted at me. A police officer was standing there watching everything. Since it involved remarks against the Chief Minister, he was afraid to intervene.

At that moment, Bhagyaraj sir noticed what was happening and asked the police officer to stop it. But the officer did not respond. Bhagyaraj then became angry and said the entire film industry would rise in protest, there would be trouble, and that the media would be informed. That is when the police officer rescued me from the jeep. Later, he arranged another vehicle for me to leave. Bhagyaraj gave me courage and told me, ‘Call me after you reach home.’ I will always remain grateful to you, sir,” Rajinikanth said.