Kamal Haasan, currently enjoying the success of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, revealed that both he and Rajinikanth decided not to collaborate on films after their initial success. Read his statement.
Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, the two titans of the Tamil film industry, have shared the screen in nearly 16 films, including classics like Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu, Thillu MulluApoorva Raagangal, Aval Appadithan, 16 Vayathinile, I, and Ninaithale Inikkum. Their last collaboration was in the Hindi film Geraftaar (1985), where they appeared alongside Amitabh Bachchan. Despite their immense popularity and close bond, the two superstars have not worked together since achieving individual superstardom. Recently, Kamal Haasan shed light on their decision during an interview. He revealed that both he and Rajinikanth chose not to collaborate on films after their initial success, even though they share a mentor in the renowned Tamil filmmaker K Balachander.
Kamal Haasan told Indian Express, “It’s not a new combination. We have done many films together. Then we decided not to work together. We are not like two competitors. We had the same mentor. Unlike any other place, the competition is there, openly. But there’s no envy and it’s two different paths. We also never make snide remarks about each other. We made this call when we were in our 20s; it’s not that we became older and wiser now.”
In addition to his reflections on his relationship with Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan expressed his gratitude towards his Hindi-speaking audience. Recalling his journey, he thanked them for embracing him as one of their own. Haasan’s debut in Hindi cinema came with Ek Duuje Ke Liye in 1981, a remake of his Telugu film Maro Charitra, directed by K Balachander. At the trailer launch of the Hindi version of Indian 2, Kamal reminisced about his struggles with the Hindi language during his early career.
“Let me first thank you for teaching me a lesson,” Haasan said during the event in Mumbai. “I used to think I’m from Tamil Nadu and that’s my place. You taught me 35 or more years ago that I’m an Indian. I was just a South Indian actor, you people made me into an Indian actor. I’m ever so grateful. I didn’t know a word of Hindi when I was doing my first film. I was exactly what the hero of Ek Duuje Ke Liye was and without your support and applause, I couldn’t have come back on to this stage.”
Currently, Kamal Haasan is making big noise with his role of Supreme Yaskin in Kalki 2898 AD. Addressing his little screen time in the film, the actor revealed that he has a significant part in the sequel. At a recent press conference in Chennai, he said, “In Kalki, I have played a small role that makes an appearance for a few minutes only. My real part in the film has only begun and I will have more to do in the second part. So, I watched this film as a fan and I was astonished.”
Kalki 2898 AD, a post-apocalyptic film, is inspired by Hindu scriptures and set in the year 2898 AD. The film released in theatres on June 27. It features Prabhas, Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan.
