Rajinikanth at Darbar audio launch: Place your trust in me, it won't go in vain 

The audio launch of Rajinikanth's upcoming film, Darbar, happened in Chennai on Saturday amidst thousands of his fans at Nehru Indoor stadium. Apart from the film's cast and crew members such as Nivetha Thomas, Yogi Babu, Suniel Shetty, director AR Murugadoss, producer Subaskaran of Lyca Productions and music director Anirudh, others in attendance were actors Vivekh, Arun Vijay, Raghava Lawrence, and director Shankar. 

Nivetha, who plays Rajinikanth's daughter in Darbar, said, "No matter how tough the day is, Rajinikanth sir would always have a smiling face. I truly believe the god's presence is with him." Next came Arun Vijay who said, "Wherever I go, I proudly say that Rajini sir is from where I am." One of Rajini's self-confessed fans from the industry, Raghava Lawrence said that the Rajini in Darbar looks like he's 25 years old and not 70. The director-actor ventured into a problematic territory when he confessed that he had vandalised the posters of Kamal Haasan during his childhood. Following this, he hinted about the possibility of the political alliance of Rajini and Kamal. "When I see them walking together holding hands, I sense that something is going to happen."

Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty, who is making his comeback to Tamil cinema by playing the antagonist in Darbar said, "Rajinikanth is like a god to me. Every one of us has some amount of Rajini in us. That's the kind of influence he has on us." Director Shankar, who had worked with Rajinikanth thrice, said, "It has been more than a year since 2.0, but even now not a day passes by without me thinking about him." Anirudh, who performed some of the songs from Darbar at the event, said he has worked on two of Rajini's films in a meagre eight-year career. He added, "A lot of people keep telling that I've given good albums for him. I am ready to lay down my life for him, so won't I give him good songs?"

AR Murugadoss, who was one among the first to take the stage, kept it short by calling himself the biggest fan of Rajini and that he prefers sitting alongside fellow fans and enjoy the audio launch rather than being on stage. When he later got on the stage again, he said, "This moment feels surreal. I am not sure if I am dreaming. What I can say is that the fight sequences in Darbar will be in a different light and you all will see Rajini sir unlike what you've seen him for the last 15 years."

Rajini, who was the last to get on the stage, said, "I enjoyed Murugadoss' Ramana and asked him if he's got a script for me but it has taken so long to materialise. After Lingaa, I decided not to play younger roles, but Karthik Subbaraj broke that with Petta. Within a week of its release, Murugadoss approached me with the script of Darbar." Comparing Anirudh with Ilaiyaraaja, Rajini said, "Generally, composers lack story sense. Ilaiyaraajaa is someone who is strong with it. Anirudh has the same quality at such a young age." 

Hinting about his political entry, the actor also said, "Director Balachander sir had trust in me and launched me in cinema. His trust didn't go in vain. The producers' trust too didn't go in vain and similarly, I ask you all to trust me, and I promise, that too, won't go in vain. Love is what the world needs right now. We should spread love to live peacefully." 

As the perfect end to an eventful day, the entire crowd synced their voices to sing the Happy Birthday song to Rajinikanth, who is set to celebrate his 69th birthday on December 12.