Jailer 2 star Rajinikanth once thought his Bollywood career would end up like Kamal Haasan’s: ‘Don’t ask me to…’

Once upon a time, even superstar Rajinikanth was afraid his Bollywood career would be extinguished before it even took off. Once upon a time, the superstar was on the verge of becoming a full-fledged pan-Indian star when two of his Hindi films – Tyagi and Phool Bane Angarey – became hits. However, instead of resting on his laurels, the actor was nervous that his rise in Bollywood might be halted anytime soon. In a chat with ANI, producer-director KC Bokadia said he was invited to the superstar’s home in Madras.

He recalled, "When we went to his room, there was just one bed and a table where he was making us drinks. He is a very simple man. Devta, fakir aadmi hai. When I told him to sit and not make us drinks because he was a star, he told me, ‘Bokadia sir, don’t ask me to sit; otherwise, my position will become just like Kamal Haasan's.'

Bokadia explained that Rajinikanth's remark referred to Kamal Haasan's challenges in Bollywood, where his Hindi films did not achieve success, leading him back to South Indian cinema.


Although the filmmaker and Rajinikanth eventually grew distant and ceased communication, the actor showed that his humble disposition was still intact when he got back in touch with Bokadia approximately two years ago.

Describing their meeting, Bokadia disclosed that Rajinikanth readily agreed to a cameo in the Rekha-starring movie Phool Bane Angarey, putting aside his superstar status to meet the director's desire.

Bokadia recalled Rajinikanth’s sweet gesture towards him. His assistant told him to visit Rajinikanth whenever he comes to Chennai. He also revealed how whenever they met, they would do so with a hug.

Rajinikanth did a handful of films in Hindi in the 1980s and early 90s, such as Andhaa Kanoon, Jeet Hamari, Phool Bane Angarey, Bhagwan Dada, Hum, etc.

The superstar was recently seen in the film Jailer 2 which earned about Rs 812 crores worldwide.