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While many facets of Rajinikanth ‘s personality have been well-established over the years, one of his most endearing talents is his ability to deliver a rousing speech. He is quite the raconteur, and he recalled one his most memorable personal anecdotes at the Darbar audio launch some years ago. He told the inspirational story with his trademark style statements, and natural swag. This incident happened when Rajinikanth wasn’t the superstar yet. It was the late 70s, and he was just a few-films-old actor who was yet to break out as a solo star. He was still acting in dual hero films, or playing the antagonist. It was during this time that the words of a producer became the fuel to his relentless thirst for success. “16 Vayadhiniley had been released, and people were recognising me on the streets as ‘Parattai’. Around this time, a producer offered me a nice role in a film with a bigger star as the hero. When we discussed my salary, I quoted Rs 10,000, and it was finally brought down to Rs 6,000. When I asked him a token advance of Rs 100 or Rs 200 to cement the verbal agreement, he said an amount would be given on the day of the shoot,” said Rajinikanth, who went on to say how such things were common then, and he trusted the producer to keep their word. ALSO READ: ‘Rajinikanth is always the first to reach Coolie set even if I’m running late’, reveals Lokesh Kanagaraj, compares Superstar to Kamal Haasan, Vijay However, Rajinikanth was in for a rude shock when he finally went on the sets. “I still didn’t receive a single rupee, and when I called up the producer a day before the shoot, he assured me that I would be paid before I don my makeup. When that also didn’t happen, I refused to get ready despite the production manager trying to convince me by saying that the other hero had arrived for the shoot,” said Rajinikanth, raising the stakes with his narration. “The producer arrived at the AVM Studios in an Ambassador car, charged at me furiously, and unceremoniously threw me out of the project by saying that I wasn’t that big an artist to create such a fuss.” Even before this shock could wear off, Rajinikanth revealed that he wasn’t provided transport to return home. “I didn’t have money on me, and I just walked back home thinking of what had just happened,” he said, reminisced about how people on the buses were mimicking his lines from 16 Vayadhiniley at the top of their voices. “I was so dejected by what had happened at the studio that I didn’t realise they were cheering for me. I actually thought they were mocking me. Nevertheless, during the walk back, I promised myself that if I didn’t enter the same studio gates in a foreign car, then I’m not Rajinikanth,” said the actor with a charismatic smile that brought the roof down at the event. Rajinikanth revealed that it took over two years of relentless hard work for him to become the Superstar that we know today. But his crowning achievement was purchasing an Italian-made Fiat Car worth Rs 4.25 lakh, which was pre-owned by the owners of AVM Studios. “You know, at that time, my street couldn’t even accommodate the car, but I felt proud. I hired a foreign driver because it was a foreign car. After a few weeks of search, we found a 6-feet tall Anglo Indian driver named Robinson. I ensured he wore a uniform with a belt and a cap,” said Rajinikanth, who took a momentary pause to say that they zoomed to AVM Studios in the car. “The car entered AVM Studios and Robinson parked it where the producer used to park his vehicle. Many looked at the car, and thought the Governor had come to AVM. I got down, smoked a couple of cigarettes, and went straight to my guru KB (K Balachander) sir’s home in Alwarpet to get his blessings.” ALSO READ: When Rajinikanth took blame for Hrithik Roshan’s mistakes while shooting together: ‘I said whatever I wanted to him’ Finishing this inspiring story, Rajinikanth asserted that his intention wasn’t to showboat, but to remind the world that everyone has a place under the sun. “You need to be at the right place, time and have the blessings of people,” he concluded, as the crowd erupted in a rapturous applause. This retelling took on a bigger significance because Rajinikanth is known for his calm demeanour and simplicity that belies his superstar status. The actor will next be seen in the film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. None
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