In a recent interview to India Today, Tamil actor Rajinikanth praised Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi saying that he is trying his best to do good for the country.

Rajinikanth credited Modi for his intent to do good for the nation and added that he is trying hard and he is trying his best.

While describing him as his good friend, Rajinikanth also said that he did not view his fellow actor Kamal Haasan, who recently made a foray in to politics by floating an outfit called Makkal Needhi Maiyam, as ‘a competitor’.

Although known to be a critic of former Chief Minister J Jayalalitha with whom he shared a troubled equation, Rajinikanth said he admired her ‘courage’ and ‘determination’.

When asked about the political climate in Tamil Nadu, he said ‘leadership’ is the need of the hour and that the populations energy needs to be channelised. “They have so much potential, they are good, hard-working, intelligent people. They have forgotten what they are, their capabilities, their strengths, their knowledge. Everything is there, but it is not channelled properly. We need to do that now,” he said.

Rajinikanth also vouched for strong anti-corruption measures. He said that he believed in the country’s secularism, but took a strong stance against judicial interference in religious matters when asked about the Sabarimala issue.

On an earlier occasion, the actor appeared to subtly but indirectly endorse the PM, he said, “If 10 people join to fight one person (Modi), then who is more powerful...is it those 10 persons or that one person? You decide for yourself,” the Tamil movie-star had remarked.

Asked whether he considered Modi to be powerful, he said, “I cannot say this more clearly,” and reiterated his point on the analogy of the 10-versus-one.

Asked about his position on the BJP, he said he cannot reveal it now, as he hadn’t joined “full-time politics” as of yet.