Rajinikanth to be flown to Singapore

The family says it is part of the ‘rejuvenation’ process

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, hospitalised in Chennai for four weeks for respiratory infection, will be flown to Singapore for “rejuvenation and better health care”, his family said.

Latha, the Rajanikanth's wife, said his organs were “normal” and pleaded that his health “not be sensationalised”.

“We are going to Singapore for (his) rejuvenation, better health care and privacy,” said Latha, who has been with the 61-year-old star at the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre since he was admitted there on May 13.

She also said there was no need for fans to panic and insisted that the Singapore trip has nothing to “undermine Indian doctors”.

Aishwarya, Rajinikanth’s daughter, said the actor will be travelling to Singapore like “any other normal passenger as his vitals are all stable”.

“He is being taken to Singapore because of the fluid collection in his body and for rejuvenation. There has been a lot of media speculation here, sensationalising the whole news. He would like a little bit of privacy with his family.”

“He is so adored that people get agitated hearing something which is not true. It is very saddening for the family,” she added.

The Endhiran star suffered from dehydration on April 29, the first day of the shoot of his latest venture, Raana, and was admitted to the Isabella Hospital in Chennai.

He was discharged the same day only to be re-admitted on May 4 for allergic bronchitis and viral fever.

Since May 13, he is undergoing treatment at the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre for respiratory infection and other problems.

He was shifted to a private ward on Sunday last after being in the intensive care unit.

Five national awards for Kannada films

Kannada films have bagged four National Awards, including the best children’s film. Manu Chakravarthi has bagged the best critic award, the second time the honour is coming to Karnataka after MK Raghavendra.

Hejjegalu, written and directed by PR Ramdas Naidu, has bagged the Golden Lotus for the best Children's Film. Bettada Jeeva (see the picture) directed by P Seshadri won the best film on environment award.

The film also got a special jury mention for its writer, the late K Shivarama Karanth. Both the films are produced by Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president Basant Kumar Patil.

Puttakkana Highway, directed by B Suresha, was named the best regional film in Kannada.

This is the sixth consecutive National Award for P Seshadri. His films had won the national awards in various categories for the last five years.

As usual, the awards have been bagged by 'art-house' films which lack popular appeal. Admits Seshadri, “No one is asking us to make movies. We are making it for our own interests. It is a bigger challenge to promote these films than to make them. None of the four films have yet been released for public viewing. Only Puttakkana Highway will be released this week.”

B Suresha, the director of Puttakkana Highway said, “I urge people to watch the film in the first week. The market does not permit a long run if there is no opening.”