- Prime Minister Najib Razak is said to be cosying up to the superstar to win votes ahead of the 2018 general election
- Rajini is Tamil cinema’s biggest star and the race makes up 80% of the Malaysian population
- The pair finally met this week after years of clashing schedules
- See more news from India at www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome
‘Kabali anna, Kabali anna,’ echoed the streets of Malaysia when Rajinikanth walked down the lanes in the film Kabali.
Millions of hearts were won through his portrayal in the film of the difficulties faced by the Malaysian Tamils.
This time around, the superstar seems to have a huge fan base within the Malaysian government as well.
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Finally! Rajinikanth and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak shake hands after trying to schedule a meeting for two years
In a recent proposal made by the minister of tourism and culture of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, he has said that the Malacca city must consider the superstar to replace the Badshah of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan as the brand ambassador of Malaysian tourism.
Huge Indian cinema buffs, Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohammad Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, and his wife, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, became fans of Rajinikanth during the actor’s long stay in Malacca, for the shooting of Kabali in 2015.
‘During the shooting of Kabali in Malayasia we were there for two months and there was a lot of cooperation extended by them there, it was a pleasure to be there and work.
‘I wanted to thank the Prime Minister and the first lady, but couldn’t meet them after the shooting,’ said Rajini.
SKR is set to be replaced by the Tamil megastar in a move rumoured to be politically angled towards the 2018 Malaysian general elections
The Malaysian Prime Minister, who was in the city, accepted the invitation sent by Rajini and made a courtesy visit to the actor’s residence.
‘I was not able to meet him in Malaysia after the shoot and hence, had invited him to visit when I knew he was here in Chennai.
‘This was purely a courtesy call and not related to the rumours about the tourism ambassador replacement story,’ Rajini clarified.
While the entire country has been talking about the proposal, experts say that this could be an election-motivated stunt as well.
The Malaysian general elections are likely to be held before August 2018, and seven per cent of the 36 million population in Malaysia are Indians, of which 80 per cent are Tamils.
The ‘Tamil George Clooney’ thank the Prime Minister for his kind words after the leader admitted he was a fan of Rajinikanth’s work
Though they might seem like a small number, they have a large impact and the face like that of Rajinikanth in the government will have a long lasting impact politically for the present government.
While the cat is out that there is a proposal, seems like the Thalaiva will replace Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan as the tourism ambassador, according to a proposal.
As Malaysian PM was seen stepping into Rajini’s Poes Garden residence, this was seen more or less as a strategic step taken just ahead of the December elections.
For they perhaps feel that the way to Tamil’s hearts is through Thalaivar’s nod.