I haven't quit smoking, but you should: Rajinikanth

Chennai: Tamil cinema icon Rajnikanth, whose inimitable style of popping a cigarette into his mouth earned him many fans among the youth, has urged them to kick the habit and indicated to them that he has no political ambitions. It has to be noted that the actor had once extended support to a DMK-led combine in elections against AIADMK.

Addressing a gathering of his fans to mark his birthday after many years here on Thursday, he said his illness had been caused by smoking, but admitted he was unable to give it up. "I haven't quit smoking, but you should do so," he said, adding he recovered from his kidney ailment, involving extensive medical treatment, only by God's grace and the prayers of his fans.

Responding to fans' pleas urging him to play a larger political role, he said he would not be an effective leader and had no plans to launch a party, but expressed gratitude to the Tamil people for "providing me with a livelihood."

Rajinikanth turned 62 on Wednesday (12-12-12). The actor appeared before the media to deliver his gratitude for the people and participated in a special function, a day after his birthday in YMCA grounds this time.