Southern superstar Rajinikanth seeks blessings of head priest of the Sri Raghavendra Temple at Mantralayam in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, Nov. 21. The actor is a devotee of Sri Raghavendra, a 17th century saint. The actor had portrayed the saint in film “Sri Raghavendra” based on the life history of the saint. (Press Trust of India)

Will he or won’t he? Superstar Rajinikanth, often asked if he was going to take the plunge into politics, has said he won’t—not yet, that is.

There was no “pressing need” for him to join politics at this moment, the actor told reporters at Chennai airport.

“There is no pressing need for a foray into politics right now,” said the actor of several southern and Hindi blockbusters such as “Enthiran,” “Shivaji” and “Hum.”

Rajinikanth, who commands a huge fan following, also said he would meet his supporters after his birthday next month.

“I will meet my fans only after my birthday (December 12),” the actor said on returning to the city, Nov. 22, after visiting the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt in Mantralayam in Andhra Pradesh.

Rajinikanth with head priest of the Sri Raghavendra Temple at Mantralayam in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, Nov. 21. The actor is a devotee of Sri Raghavendra, a 17th century saint. The actor had portrayed the saint in film “Sri Raghavendra” based on the life history of the saint. (Press Trust of India)

The 66-year-old star has in recent times hinted at the possibility of joining politics. On an earlier occasion, while addressing his supporters, he had urged them to be “ready for war” when the time came, and said the “system is rotten.”

His cinema colleague Kamal Haasan has also spoken about a possible political career. He said he would be willing to work with Rajinikanth, if the superstar ever decided to enter politics.