Superstar Rajinikanth was at the launch of Bharathiraja’s International Institute of Cinema, earlier today. Speaking at the event, Rajini said that Bharathiraja, although older than Rajini himself, still appeared young and youthful. He attributed part of it to the lovely food of Madurai (a claim this writer can personally attest to), and partly to the fact that Bharathiraja thinks, dreams, breathes, eats, loves, and lives for cinema.
Rajini went on to say that to be healthy and happy, one needs to be active at all times. And Bharathiraja continues to be busy and active.
But perhaps the most important thing Rajini said was that he admires Bharathiraja, but it is not entirely mutual. Clearly delivered with a lot of humour and tongue firmly in cheek, Rajini said Bharathiraja likes him, but not really. The Superstar said that the director has never accepted him as a big star, and points to the media to dig up all old interviews in which, when Bharathiraja is asked for his opinion on Rajini, Bharathiraja has always answered, “He is a good man”. Nothing about his acting skills or his role as a star.
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Rajini also said that although he did study at the Madras Film Institute prior to his entry into Tamil cinema, he learnt more at the hands of directors such as Bharathiraja and others, and therefore had no second thoughts of extending his support by being part of the launch.
See the full video here.
Also see: Silverscreen gallery of Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, and others at the launch of BRIIC.