Rajinikanth...Rajini, Rajini,Rajini...
When I joined the revenue and forest department of Maharashtra as a Deputy Collector way back in 1994 I never imagined I could be associated so directly with films and the film industry. I distinctly remember the day in August 1999 when I was called by respected Mr. Nandlal, Principal Secretary, Revenue department and told that I was being posted as the Joint Managing Director of Filmcity.
I landed up in Filmcity with mixed emotions but felt completely reassured after meeting Mrs. Neela Satyanarayana, IAS who was the then Managing Director and Principal Secretary, Cultural Affairs. My tenure of over three years at Filmcity has been memorable for several reasons. But what I cherish most is the opportunity of meeting two actors who I admired the most.
There is no denying the fact that I was and still am a die hard fan of Amitabh Bacchan and Rajinikanth. I grew up watching their films and dreamt everything any true Bollywood fan would dream of.
Hindi films have been a part of my staple diet. It was therefore a great feeling to see the process of film-making, interact with great producers, directors, art directors and watch several actors of the film and television industry.
As the Joint Managing Director my main task was to ensure that the studios and shooting locations were fully booked. My joy knew no bounds when Kaun Banega Crorepati was announced by Star Plus. Persuading the team of Star Plus to create the set for Kaun Banega Crorepati and shoot in Filmcity was a turning point in history for many including Filmcity. The icing on the cake were the innumerable opportunities of meeting Mr.Amitabh Bacchan as KBC became the most talked about show in the country. Every VIP visitor to Filmcity wanted to be a part of the audience so taking senior officials, state guests there enabled me also to meet Mr. Bacchan.
However, I had never imagined that I would get an opportunity to meet Mr.Rajinikanth.
My first brush with him was when I went to meet him with my childhood friend, Mr.Shailendra Khairnar, Stippling Artist ( Dot Potrait Maker) who wanted to make his portraits and relelase it as a book. I was awestruck by his simplicity and down to earth nature. That project did not fructify but soon thereafter Government of Maharashtra decided to honour Rajinikanth with the Raj Kapoor Award.This award is given to a Maharashtrian who is an artist in non-marathi films.
Born as Shivajirao Gaikwad, Rajinikanth was very much a Maharashtrian and so in 2001 , Government of Maharashtra honoured him with the award.
As luck would have it being the Joint Managing Director, I was the coordinator and got several opportunities to interact with him. His stay arrangements were made at the Sahyadri State Guest House where on his arrival, I met him and his wife Latha.
I still remember my heart palpitating frenzily on seeing him in flesh and blood each time, before and after the programme.
Surprisingly he was a stark contrast from how he looked in his films but that did not lessen the aura around him. In fact it created more awe in my mind for a man who is nonchalant about his looks outside filmdom .
He came to the function in his trademark silk 'Veshti' (Word for Dhoti in Tamil) which took even the Marathi film fraternity by surprise. Beginning his speech in Marathi and ending it with Hamare Bharat ko Mahaan banana hain ( We have to make India great) he stole everybody's heart.
For every Rajini fan , meeting him is the biggest dream and I was lucky mine came true.
As I saw the news of him being conferred the prestigious and much deserved Dadasaheb Phalke Award my mind went back into memory lane.
Whether Billa, Annamalai or Muthu , Arunachalam or Basha, Padaiyyappa or Shivaji, Endiran or Kabaali there is no denial of the fact that he is unique....just like the dialogue in his film, Padaiyappa, " En Vazhi Thani Vazhi" meaning, My way is unique.
And isn't he unique in dedicating his award to his bus driver friend, Raj Bahadur who encouraged him to travel to Chennai to pursue a career in acting and to his brother, Sathyanarayana who made great sacrifices to fulfill his dream? It reflected the values and ideals he has always held close to his heart.
For all those times my heart has beaten wildly seeing him do the most impossible stunts or softly romancing his female leads , it bowed in reverance to an artist with fifty years of filmdom. Rajini Sir, Heartiest Congratulations, you are a class apart.....
