Kamal Haasan confirms reunion with Rajinikanth after 46 years

A casting coup is in the making as Tamil superstars Kamal Haasan, 70, and Rajinikanth, 74, are all set to reunite on the big screen 46 years after their last film together, IV Sasi’s 1979 fantasy film Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum, which was based on Aladdin’s story One Thousand and One Nights. 

While Haasan played the protagonist Alavuddin, Rajinikanth essayed his foe, Kamaruddin.

Haasan confirmed the development after weeks of speculation at the SIIMA Awards in Dubai. When the host, actor-comedian Sathish, asked Haasan if the news doing the rounds holds any truth, Haasan replied in the affirmative. “We were united long ago, but chose to remain apart because they kept splitting a biscuit and giving us only half each. We wanted a full biscuit each, and we got it and relished it well. Now we are content with just half a biscuit again, so we have come together,” said Haasan.

He also revealed that both him and Rajinikanth have been planning this reunion for decades, but were waiting for the right opportunity. He claimed they wanted to set an example for other leading stars of the Indian film industry to join forces whenever required. “That we got such opportunities is a huge deal. We had decided long ago to be like this and to set an example. That’s how he has been, and that’s how I have been. So while this reunion might be surprising business-wise, we aren’t that surprised. We are just glad that something that was supposed to happen a long time ago is happening now,” said Haasan.

While no other details about the film have been revealed yet, speculations are rife that Lokesh Kanagaraj will helm this tentpole. That’s sure to be a casting coup since Kanagaraj has directed both the actors in memorable crime thrillers — Haasan in Vikram (2022) and Rajinikanth this year in Coolie. He was even supposed to direct Rajinikanth in another film produced by Haasan’s banner Raaj Kamal Films International, but that project got shelved because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Haasan and Rajinikanth have acted together in about a dozen films. Their first film together also marked Rajinikanth’s debut as an actor. The milestone completed 50 years last month, since the release of K Balachander’s 1975 romantic drama Apoorva Raagangal, which starred Haasan in the lead role and Rajinikanth in a supporting part.

Their next collaboration was Balachander’s 1976 romantic thriller Moondru Mudichu, which also starred the late Sridevi. Balachander’s 1976 Telugu film Anthuleni Katha, which starred Rajinikanth in the lead role and Haasan in a cameo. Balachander’s 1977 Tamil triangular love story Avargal also featured Haasan and Rajinikanth alongside Sujatha.

Bharathirajaa’s 1977 romantic film 16 Vayathinile reunited Haasan, Rajinikanth, and Sridevi. SP Muthuraman’s Aadu Puli Aattam (1977) starred Haasan as an aspiring police officer who falls prey to the bad company of Rajini (Rajinikanth). Then they starred together in C Rudraiah’s Aval Appadithan (1977). CV Sridhar’s Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu (1978) was also a triangular love story featuring the two along with Supriya.

They reunited with Balanchander in his 1978 crime drama Thappida Thala. R Thyagarajan then cast them together in his 1979 directorial Thaayillamal Naan Illai. Balachander worked once again with his two proteges in Ninaithale Inikkum, also starring Jaya Prada. The film was simultaneously shot in Telugu as Andamaina Anubhavam, and dubbed in Hindi later as Pyara Tarana.

Source: Indian Express
--Agencies