ILL-HEALTH FLOORS SOUTH INDIAN SUPERSTAR RAJINIKANTH

By P. Vijian
NEW DELHI, May 18 (Bernama) -- Charismatic South Indian movie superstar
Rajinikanth, dubbed Tollywood's icon of style, is not in superb health, these
days.

His hectic acting schedule and age appear to have taken a toll on the aging
screen icon.

The 61-old-year was admitted to hospital thrice in the past fortnight and is
still undergoing treatment at the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, a private
multi-specialist hospital in Chennai.

"He is much better now, he is progressing and all vital parameters are
normal.

"He should be out of hospital in two or three days," hospital spokesman T.
G.Nallamuthu told Bernama Tuesday.

Rajinikanth had suffered symptoms related to respiratory infection,
temperature and fatigue, said a hospital bulletin.

The movie avatar suffered ill-health during the launch of his latest movie,
'Rana', where he acts alongside top Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, who is
the heroine.

Frequent ill-health has fuelled wild speculations on the condition of the
actor's health, and people close to him revealed he was suffering from lung
infection and liver problems.

There are rumours he would be heading to the United States for further
treatment.

His latest movie, with a 17th century historical action script, is likely to
be shelved until the superstar is on his feet again.

"Our top priority is my father's health. We are not even thinking of the
film at this moment. We can re-schedule plans once he recovers completely,"
Soundarya Rajinikanth, his daughter and also producer of the mega-budget movie
told local media.

From a low-salaried bus driver, Rajinikanth, dubbed by his millions of fans
as the Tollywood (Tamil moviedom) 'Icon of Style', went on to become India's top
paid actor, even surpassing Bollywood mega stars.