Thackeray is like God to me, says Rajinikanth

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Superstar Rajinikanth who met BalThackeray said that the Shiv Sena chief is "like God" to him.

The 60-year-old actor drove to Thackeray's residenceat 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra and sought the Sena chief'sblessings.

After meeting Thackeray, Rajinikanth compared the Senachief to God. "He is like God to me," the actor said.

Rajini, who was born to Maharashtrian parents, alsoexpressed his desire to act in Marathi films.

His latest film Endhiran' (Robot), where he is pairedopposite Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, is a box-office hit.The actor arranged a special screening of the film forBollywood friends here last night.

Sources said the meeting between Rajinikanth andThackeray lasted for nearly 40 minutes.

"The Sena chief enquired about the superstar's latestmovie and wanted to know the technological details of whatwent into its making. He also asked Rajinikanth about the boxoffice reports," sources said.

Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray presentedthe actor with Maharashtra Desha, his pictorial book onimportant landmarks in the state.

The Sena chief wanted to know Rajinikanth's "fitness"mantra and asked how old he was.

"Rajinikanth said he was 60-years-old and told theSena chief that he too looked fit and healthy. To whichThackeray said he was 85," sources said.

The superstar, who was born Shivajirao Gaikwad into ahumble Maharashtrian family, said he always wanted to meetThackeray when in Mumbai.

"Balasaheb told the actor that he was most welcome atMatoshree," sources added.

According to sources, the conversation was mostly inEnglish and little of Marathi.