Thalaivaaa... ” that full-throated, exultant cry of fans was synonymous with Rajinikanth’s first appearance in a particular film. Finally, that welcome for the ‘leader’ can now be extended to the political platform. For his numerous fans and Tamil Nadu’s voters, Rajinikanth has raised expectations with the promise of a political plunge for long. Now, his promised arrival on January 1 has introduced a third dimension into the state’s bipolar politics.