At the recent audio launch of Vettaiyan in Chennai, the legendary Rajinikanth, affectionately known as Thalaivar by his fans, showered praise on Amitabh Bachchan.
He reminisced about how the iconic actor played a pivotal role in his entry into Bollywood. Thalaivar highlighted Bachchan’s unwavering discipline and dedication, emphasizing how he continues to be a role model for all aspiring actors in the industry.The admiration and respect between these two titans of cinema added an extra sparkle to the event!
Rajinikanth shared that his opportunity to work in Andhaa Kaanoon was largely due to Amitabh Bachchan’s influence. Initially, the role was meant for Mithun Chakraborty, but after Kamal Haasan’s success with Ek Duuje Ke Liye, Amitabh recommended Rajinikanth for the part, even offering to take on a guest role if he was cast. This led to Rajinikanth’s involvement in Geraftaar—where he played a cameo—and Hum, all of which went on to become significant hits.
Rajinikanth praised Big B’s exceptional work ethic and dedication, noting that while many Hindi artists typically arrive on set around 11 or 11:30 AM, Bachchan maintained a different standard. Even at the height of his career, he would start dubbing at 7 AM and finish by 8, arriving on set by 9 fully made up. Rajinikanth admired Bachchan’s punctuality and discipline, sharing that upon arrival, he would eagerly request the day’s scenes, as if he were hungry for them. Once he received the scripts, he would retreat to a corner to read them quietly.
Rajinikanth noted that Bachchan’s focused reading would bring silence to the set, as he preferred having the writer nearby. Once he finished, he would ask detailed questions to the writer and director about character motivations and scene context, seeking logical explanations. After he was satisfied, he would jot down notes and suggest tweaks to enhance dialogue flow. With his background as the son of renowned poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Amitabh possesses a strong command of language, making his suggestions insightful. Rajinikanth emphasized Bachchan’s versatility, highlighting his ability to effortlessly transition between comedy and serious moments.
