Actor Saravanan wears his Rajinikanth fandom like a badge of honour. In a heartfelt conversation with Cinema Express ahead of the release of his upcoming series Sattamum Needhiyum, the actor opened up about his lifelong admiration for the veteran actor, one that goes far beyond admiration and enters the realm of deep-rooted devotion.
“My all-time favourite Rajini sir film is Mullum Malarum. I adore it with all my heart,” he said, adding, “I even have a soft spot for Raghavendra. Though it didn’t do well commercially, I was one of the few who watched it multiple times in the theatre.” He fondly recalled watching Priya nearly 40 times and even seeking out lesser-known titles like Inspector Rajini, a dubbed Telugu film that barely got any attention. “Honestly, if it’s a Rajinikanth film, I will watch and enjoy it—no matter what.”
Saravanan also took a walk down memory lane, recalling that his earliest memories of cinema revolved around Rajinikanth’s films. “I joined his fan club back in high school and even became the head of it. I’ve spoken so much about him on behalf of the club. The only two actors I’ve clapped for in my life are MGR and Rajinikanth,” he said. He considers it a blessing to have acted alongside his idol, crediting director Nelson for making it happen. “I don’t have any more wishes when it comes to working with Rajini sir. If I get approached again, I’ll do it gladly, but I won’t seek it out.”
The conversation also revealed how protective Saravanan is of Rajini’s legacy. “I’ve fought with people for calling someone else ‘Thalaivar.’ During Thudikkum Karangal, I got into a fight with Jaishankar sir’s fans. When Oor Kavalan was released, I climbed over people’s heads in the theatre just to get to the front row. That’s how much of a hardcore Rajini fan I am. I would go to any extent for him.”
In Sattamum Needhiyum, which is described as a "gripping tale of power, justice, and redemption," Saravanan stars as a notary lawyer who barely steps into the courtroom as he doesn't get cases. The show, which debuted on Zee5 on Friday, coincides with the actor's 35th year in the film industry. The series is directed by debutant Balaji Selvaraj, while Sooriyaprathap S serves as the writer and showrunner.