Rajinikanth expresses regret for losing cool at media interaction

Taking to Twitter, he said, “The Chennai Press Club has said that in my interview with the press at the airport my tone was threatening and disrespectful. It is not my intention to hurt anyone. If any member of the press felt offended by this, I extended my apologies.”

Rajinikanth came under fire for his comments regarding anti-social elements hijacking the anti-Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi after his visit to the area to meet the injured and the families of the deceased. His interview at the airport was also criticised for the manner in which he had dismissed questions from the press.

Police protection was in place at his Poes Garden residence on Thursday following widespread outcry against his statements from politicians, members of the film fraternity and the general public. Police personnel from Teynampet police station were posted at Poes Garden to prevent protesters from entering the locality. About 50 police personnel were posted along the stretch on which Rajini’s house is located and both the entries of the street were blocked with barricades.

Meanwhile, the long-time associate of Rajinikanth, Satyanarayana, is set to be back in the fold with a state-level position in the actor’s Rajini Makkal Mandram.

Satyanarayana served as the president of Rajinikanth’s fan association for over two decades before stepping down from the post in 2008 due to health concerns. He was widely regarded as the actor’s right-hand man at the time.

A formal announcement about his re-entry is expected in the coming weeks, with Satyanarayana having been spotted at the Rajini Makkal Mandram office in Chennai over the past week.