Rajinikanth now improving

RajinikanthChennai, May 21 : Ailing superstar Rajinikanth is getting better. The vital parameters of the Tamil star, admitted to the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre here, are now returning to normal, a hospital bulletin Saturday said.

He is now taking oral diet by himself and is spending time with his family members, it said.

The matinee idol was admitted to hospital late evening May 13, with fever and fluid retention following acute gastro-intestinal and respiratory problems and was later shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) May 18.

The 60-year-old matinee idol also underwent advanced treatment including hemodialysis. According to hospital authorities, the actor was not permitted to see visitors and is in ICU to restrict visitors and avoid infection.

Admitted for the third time in over three weeks, Rajinikanth was earlier admitted to St. Isabel Hospital April 29 after a bout of vomiting, and was discharged in the evening. On May 5, he was again admitted to the ICU of St. Isabel Hospital after allergic bronchitis and fever.

Meanwhile, the actor's fans and well wishers continued to pray for the speedy recovery of their favourite star. "Whether I pray for myself or not, I do pray for the speedy recovery of my favourite actor of more than three decades. He is really an apoorva raga - rare tune," B. Subramanian, an ardent Rajinikanth fan told IANS.

It was Tamil movie Director K. Balachander who introduced the actor in the film 'Apoorva Raagangal' in 1975. Ruling the Tamil movie world for more than three and half decades, Rajinikanth has acted in more than 150 films, including Bollywood and Hollywood films.(IANS)