In an earlier article I have mentioned that Ajith called Rajini as ‘Thalaivar’.

But someone started the rumour that Ajith would never call anybody ‘Thalaivar’ and he would call people only as ‘Sir’ and nothing more.  People have added words to their like.

This is crazy, Ajith gave the interview, I took the interview and someone somewhere is saying that we introduced words that Ajith didn’t say.  I think these people would shut their mouth only when Ajith himself tells that he calls Rajini as ‘Thalaivar’.

Moreover, Rajini got the name ‘Thalaivar’ not because one or two people call him like that, but his entire fans call him ‘Thalaivar’.  Even a school going kid after seeing Rajini movie would say to his friends that, “I saw Thalaivar’s movieâ€Â.

That being said let me re-produce what Ajith himself said last November before the release of the movie ‘Billa’ in the press meet at Green Park Hotel in Chennai:

“People call me ‘Thala’ but my ‘Thalaivar’ is always Rajini sir.  He is my guru.  He has shown me the right path at right time.  With regards to Billa I and Vishnuvardhan sought the guidance and advice of Rajini from starting to the release tomorrow.  We actually   planned to release it on his birthday but Sir advised not to do that.

Even for the audio cassette release he only invited us to his house and released it.  Who else can get this blessing?

I always considered Kamal and Rajini as my guidance in the field of acting. “

Besides that, Nayantara one of the current top heroines in South Indian film industry has given many interviews about how Rajini has influenced her in her career.

One such interview that she gave recently to a daily is:

“I learned a lot of good things from Rajini.  He didn’t advice me anything as such, but I learned it by observing him.

Nowadays stars require luxury caravan in the shooting spots.  Many need it for prestige purpose.  Earlier, I used to act in a shot and would run into the caravan.  Later when the assistant calls me for the next shot I will go get that shot done and would again run back into the caravan.

But Rajini sir is not like that.  Even if his shot gets over he would sit there in the spot in a chair.  Until they call for the next shot he would be just sitting there.  I was very surprised by this simplicity of his and I realized that his current Super Star status is due to his dedication to his work.

But sometimes I use to think that our ‘Thalaivar’ is simply pretending to be simple.  He proved it wrong with this conversation that we had one day:

‘Acting is our job and it is the one that gets us our bread.  We have to be sincere with it.

Can a clerk working in an office take rest for few hours for every file that he signs?  Likewise we cannot take rest now and then.  We have provided them call sheet from morning 9 to 1 in the afternoon and from 2 in the afternoon to 6 in the evening.  That time is their time, its our duty to be there during that time according to their convenience.  This is my policy.’ 

He made me realize a great thing in these few sentences.  From that time onwards I used to be there in the set even after my shot is over and would stay there until they ask me to leave and take rest.  In this matter my way is ‘Thalaivar’s wayâ€Â says Nayantara.

- Sanganathan
Translated by : Balasenthil