Chennai: Superstar Rajinikanth yesterday described BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as a "strong leader and able administrator" after the Gujarat Chief Minister called on him, but termed their meeting as courtesy call, in tune with his long maintained apolitical stand.

Southern comfort: Clad in ‘veshti’ (dhoti), Narendra Modi met superstar Rajinikanth at his residence in Chennai last evening. Pic/PTI

Rajinikanth, said, "When Modiji visited me when I was hospitalised, I had invited him to have a cup of tea with me whenever he came to Chennai. So he has come now."

Responding to his good wishes, Modi, dressed in a saffron shirt and dhoti, said, "I wished him on the eve of Tamil New Year. He is a good friend."

Posing for the media outside his residence, thronged by a huge gathering of fans, the actor shook hands and hugged Modi.