Actor Rajinikanth on Sunday heightened fresh expectations of his entering politics by saying he was not afraid of entering the political sphere, but was only a trifle hesitant.

The actor’s remarks, at the audio launch of his film, ‘Lingaa,’ here, assumes significance in the wake of the BJP mounting a fervent effort to rope him to lead it in Tamil Nadu in the run up to 2016 Assembly elections.

The current political uncertainty in the State following the conviction of the former Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, in a disproportionate assets case has further raised the hopes of the BJP as well as his fans’ of him taking a plunge into politics.

Speaking at the function, Rajinikanth said he was not “afraid of entering politics, but only hesitant because of what such a decision entails,” to thunderous applause by hundreds of his diehard fans at the Sathyam Cinemas.

Rajinikanth, who has been non-committal about entering politics for many years, did not rule out such a possibility in future. “I am a product of circumstances. So, if a situation arises, I could enter politics. I am only hesitant because I know the depth of politics. I have to step on so many shoulders,” he said

The actor was responding to director Ameer’s plea that the actor should seriously consider entering politics. “It is the wish of fans that you enter politics,” the director said.

Rajinikanth, however, said he did not believe that one had to enter politics to serve people. Nonetheless, he was willing to “do good to people” if they so desired. “I will continue to do films with a good message,” he added.