South Indian superstar Rajnikant has finally ended his long-time boycott of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha, setting the tongues wagging in political circles.

Rajnikant, once a vociferous supporter of DMK, Monday night shared a platform with Jayalalitha, the AIADMK chief, at a function the Tamil Nadu film industry organised here to honour the latter for cracking down on video piracy.

Rajnikant's vocal campaign against Jayalalitha for corruption was widely thought to have played a key role in the defeat of the AIADMK in the assembly elections of 1996.

On Monday, Rajnikant joined hands with Kamal Haasan while presenting an expensive shawl to Jayalalitha.

South India Film Artistes Association president and noted actor Vijayakant, who is known to have political ambitions of his own, looked on with pride at the Rajnikant-Jayalalitha reunion.

Praising Jayalalitha, Kamal Haasan said: "She has all the qualities of a great leader."

Rajnikant added: "I had refused to participate in the film industry's rally (in October) to curb video piracy as I had thought it would serve no purpose.

"I am, however, overwhelmed by the efforts taken by the chief minister to crack down on video piracy.

"By putting an end to the (forest) brigand Veerappan, she has raised the country's image in the international arena."

But both Rajnikant and Kamal Haasan repeatedly appealed to the media not to give the meeting a political colour.

"She (Jayalalitha) has ensured the survival of the industry. This is not a show. This (thanks) comes from the bottom of our hearts", Rajnikant said.