Happy Birthday, Rajinikanth: Here’s why Superstar decided to act in Tamil, Telugu remakes of ‘Kadha Parayumbol’

‘Thalaivar’ Rajinikanth, who continues to mesmerise audiences with his swag and iconic dialogue delivery, has turned 75. Rajinikanth remains a formidable force in Indian cinema. No one else has managed to capture the public’s imagination as a trendsetter as he has. His influence extends beyond the film industry, with a keen interest in politics, though he has yet to launch his own party. Interestingly, the actor also has a strong connection to the Malayalam film industry, in addition to his vast fan base.

In the early stages of his career, the superstar appeared in two Malayalam films — ‘Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum’ (directed by I V Sasi) and ‘Garjanam’ (1981, directed by C V Rajendran). However, after becoming a global icon, his connection with Malayalam cinema persisted through starring in remakes of Mollywood hits like 'Muthu', a remake of 'Thenmavin Kombath', and 'Chandramukhi', an indirect remake of 'Manichitrathazhu'. Despite this, his bond with screenwriter Sreenivasan has remained a defining and deeply personal connection throughout his career. It was this friendship that played a pivotal role in his decision to remake ‘Kadha Parayumbol,’ a film that attained cult status.

Sreenivasan and Rajinikanth share a rich history that dates back to their formative years at the MGR Government Film and Television Training Institute in Madras (formerly known as the Adyar Film Institute). It was here, as young men with dreams of carving out legendary careers, that their paths first crossed. The two would reconnect years later during the promotional campaign for ‘Kadha Parayumbol’ in Tamil Nadu. Tamil director P Vasu had recommended that Rajinikanth watch the film, and it was only when he arrived at the theatre that Sreenivasan learned of the Superstar's presence.

According to The Indian Express, after watching the film, Rajinikanth approached Sreenivasan and confessed, “You made me cry.” What followed was a heartfelt conversation, with Rajinikanth leading Sreenivasan into a conference room, asking him questions about the movie. The two reminisced about their time at the film institute when Rajinikanth was still Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, and Sreenivasan could hardly have imagined that the quiet young man would one day become the phenomenon known as Rajinikanth.

In the early days of their reunion, Rajinikanth was keen to learn more about Sreenivasan and the nuances of the film. As the discussions deepened, they explored the delicate emotions woven throughout the narrative. Sreenivasan recalled, "He would speak about the subtle emotions of the film," in an interview with Rediff.

At first, Rajinikanth was unsure whether he was the right fit for the remake, even considering Kamal Haasan for the part. But something about the film resonated with him so deeply that he couldn't let go of it. Eventually, he took on the challenge, starring in the Tamil and Telugu remakes, ‘Kuselan’ and ‘Kathanayakudu,’ where he reprised the role played by Mammootty in Malayalam.