At the launch event of Dharman, Rajinikanth reflected on his decades-long friendship with Kamal Haasan and recalled several moments from their early careers that, according to him, shaped his journey in cinema.
Speaking emotionally about their relationship, Rajinikanth said no description fully captures the bond they share. “I have spoken a lot about my friendship with Kamal Haasan over the years, but nothing truly does justice to it,” he said. “I don’t know whether to call what he has done for me help, encouragement or cooperation.”
Rajinikanth then revealed that Kamal played a key role in helping him land one of his early breakthrough films, Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu. Recalling the late 1970s, Rajinikanth said he was still relatively new to the industry while Kamal had already become an established star.
“Many people may not know this. I was not originally supposed to act in Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu. The role was meant for Jai Ganesh. At that time, I was busy doing Kannada and Telugu films and didn’t have dates available,” he said.
According to Rajinikanth, Kamal personally intervened. “Kamal called the director and insisted that I be cast. Then he called me and convinced me to adjust my schedule and do the film. It happened because of him.”
Rajinikanth also shared an anecdote from the film’s shoot that stayed with him. “There’s a scene where Kamal enters and my character calls out to him, saying 'Inga inga…' and reacts when he turns. When the scene was explained to me, I wondered if Kamal might misunderstand it. I asked the director, and he assured me that Kamal would take it sportingly.” After the scene was completed, Rajinikanth said Kamal’s reaction stayed with him. “He simply said, ‘Rajini, super.’ I admired the way he looked at things.”
The actor went on to recall another incident from Aadu Puli Aattam, where Kamal encouraged him to experiment with a sequence. “There was a scene where my character had to shave when a police officer came to catch him. I suggested to S P Muthuraman sir that I shave while riding a bike. He wasn’t convinced initially, but Kamal encouraged me to try it.”
Rajinikanth said moments like these were only a few examples of the support Kamal had extended to him over the years. “I can go on listing stories like this. That’s the kind of encouragement he has constantly given me,” he added.
Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan last appeared together in Thillu Mullu (1981) in Tamil and Geraftaar (1985) in Hindi. Their working collaboration extends all the way to the 70s, when they both first worked together in Rajinikanth’s debut, Apoorva Raagangal, in 1975. Some of their other notable collaborations include Moondru Mudichu, Pathinaru Vayathinile, Aadu Puli Attam, Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu, Thappu Thalangal, Aval Appadithaan, Alavuddinum Arbutha Vilakkum, and Ninaithale Inikkum.
Dharman, set to star Rajinikanth as a "deadly doctor" as per the makers, is helmed by Ashwath Marimuthu. Simran has been roped in to play the female lead, while Raashi Khanna is also a part of the case. More details about the film's plot, genre, and extended cast are awaited.
