Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan talks about his admiration for his southern counterpart Rajinikanth, who celebrated his 65th birthday on Saturday
Big B and Rajinikanth go back a long way. They starred together in Andha Kanoon in 1983 where Rajinikanth played the lead while Big B had a guest appearance. The two greats are not only colleagues but they remain close friends as well.
Speaking of Rajini, Amitji says, “Rajini is phenomenal. He is the largest, best and truly the ‘boss’. It is ridiculous to compare me to him. Outside of Tamil Nadu people have no idea whatsoever of what he is all about. The adulation, the following is incomparable. We are colleagues but also good friends. His modesty is legendary and so is his simplicity in his existence and in his demeanour. Don’t believe a word of this ‘king’ and ‘emperor’ tags that people have put on him. We all know that he is the Emperor and although I abhor epithets, for him I will make exceptions, for he is truly exceptional.”
Admiring Rajini’s rise from the grassroots to superstardom, Big B adds, “Look where he came from and what he has become. It is because of his sheer hard work, talent and the belief that he could do it and he did! He is such a fantastic example for any youth in any part of the world. Despite his extraordinary career, he has remained the simple down-to-earth person he was when he started off. All his people around him are friends that were with him when he was a nobody.”
Revealing touching details from the Tamil superstar’s life that he is privy to, Bachchan says, “Do you know, a Fiat car that he bought when he had attained his early success remained with him until recently and only he was allowed to use that car ”
A number of characteristics that Big B outlines in Rajini are seen by many of his admirers in himself as well. Adding more about Rajini, Big B says, “He’s a humble human being and a caring and considerate co-star. Rajini is terrific company on the sets and a fine gentleman. He’s religious, traditional and charitable. And most importantly, he along with his equally modest wife, have brought up their two daughters well. His daughters are a perfect reflection of him. For me, the way your offspring turn out, is the truest reflection of your achievements.”
