According to TV reports, "Modi maintained that it's a courtesy call on the eve of Tamil New Year." Modi arrived at Meenambakkam Airport in Chennai in the evening, ahead of fifth phase of elections. Modi is expected to ask the popular cine actor Rajinikanth for his endorsement for the party, as he has not only a huge fan following, but he is highly respected in Tamil Nadu.

Though the actor has taken an apolitical stand over the last ten years, a senior BJP leader told NDTV, "Even if Mr Rajinikanth doesn't publicly endorse BJP, the meeting itself would turn out to be a support statement for the party which is trying to gain a foothold in the state".

Eight years later, in 2004, Mr. Rajinikanth said he would vote for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, but he did not extend support to any front. The BJP did not win even a single seat in the State. And, the superstar went back to political wilderness. Ahead of the 2009 Lok Sabha elections too, the BJP attempted to get Mr. Rajinikanth’s backing.

The party senior leader L.K. Advani, met him here in 2008, but could not win his confidence.

Even now, Mr. Rajinikanth was reluctant and kept refusing. But Mr. Modi was very particular to have at least a “friendly” meeting with Mr. Rajinikanth, sources in the BJP said.

With the release of his movie Kochadaiiyaan, directed by his daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth Ashwin, scheduled for May 9, the superstar is unlikely to make any political statement, say industry sources.