Don't divide artists of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka: Rajnikant

Bangalore, March 3 (IANS) Tamil superstar Rajnikant has endorsed his colleague Kamal Haasan's view that art and politics should not be mixed and urged politicians to not create divisions between artists of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

'Please don't divide us and don't bring politics into cinema,' Rajnikant said Monday at a felicitation function organised by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce.

He also said that the artists of the Kannada and Tamil film industries are like brothers and their relationship should not be threatened by political developments between the two states.

Rajnikant stressed that filmmakers should try to adapt literary work on screen.

'There were many films based on some novels and stories. They were made earlier. I have enjoyed many of the films like 'Chandavalliya Thota', 'Sandhya Raaga', 'Karuneye Kutumbadha Kannu', 'Chakra Theertha', which were based on some famous Kannada novels. But these days I don't see many films based on novels. I think it would be better if films based on good literary works are made in Kannada,' said Rajnikant.

The superstar said his ultimate dream is to play Muddanna, the main character in late Ta.Ra. Subbarao's novel 'Raktha Rathri'.

'It is my life time ambition to play the role of Muddanna and I am just waiting for the opportunity to play that role in a Kannada film,' said Rajnikant.

The veteran actor coudln't attend the inaugural ceremony of Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Kannada film industry on Sunday. His absence disappointment his fans, but he made it up by participating in the second day's important programme of felicitating 108 personalities who had contributed to the growth of the Kannada film industry.

Rajnikant felicitated Vishnuvardhan with whom he had acted in quite a few Kannada films. They also worked in a Tamil film called 'Vidudhalai', which was produced by actor Balajee.

Apart from Rajnikant, Prakash Raj and Prabhudeva were also present at the function.

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