Superstar Rajinikanth is not only celebrated for his larger-than-life on-screen presence or his fashion-icon status; he’s also loved for the way he tells stories, always sporting a playfulness of spirit and natural humor that can light up even the darkest of rooms. A case in point was demonstrated at the release of his blockbuster Enthiran (also called Robot), when Rajini spun a funny yarn that had none other than Amitabh Bachchan in hysterics. The film, which co-starred Aishwarya Rai, set the tone for how Rajinikanth’s charm, wit, and modesty made him a perennial favorite among audiences.
The Bangalore Encounter That Sparked Laughter
In 2010, during the launch event of Enthiran, Rajinikanth recounted a hilarious incident involving a man who simply couldn’t believe that he was the hero opposite Aishwarya Rai. The story unfolded in Bangalore, near Rajini’s brother’s house. A Rajasthani tenant named Nandulal, a man in his sixties, had come to meet Rajinikanth after learning that he was in town.
Nandulal, visibly astonished, started by asking the superstar about his bald head. “Hey Rajini, what happened to your hair?” he asked. With his signature humor, Rajinikanth casually replied, “Jhadd gaye yaar, chorro,” loosely translating to “It shed, let’s not worry about it.”
The conversation then took an unexpected turn when Nandulal asked if Rajini was enjoying his retirement. Rajinikanth, ever the professional, clarified that he was busy with a film called Robot, starring none other than Aishwarya Rai. This revelation seemed to leave Nandulal flabbergasted. “Aishwarya Rai, a heroine? Arre, kamaal ki ladki hai! Fantastic! Who is the hero?” he asked.
When Rajinikanth confirmed that he himself was the hero, the man’s disbelief only grew. His children had to chime in to assure him, “Daddy, he is the hero.” But even after that, Nandulal stayed silent, staring at Rajinikanth for a full ten minutes, clearly processing the idea of the bald superstar being paired with a glamorous beauty like Aishwarya Rai. Eventually, he said goodbye, leaving Rajini and the audience cracking up.
Listening to this amusing tale was Amitabh Bachchan, who was present at the event. The Big B couldn’t suppress a laugh, adding to the moment’s beauty. Rajinikanth concluded the story, thanking Aishwarya for collaborating with her in the film, blending humor with sincere appreciation.
Enthiran: A Sci-Fi Milestone
Shankar’s Enthiran was not just another money-making movie. Indian cinema got its first milestone production in the movie. The science fiction action film cast Rajinikanth in a dual role as Vaseegaran, a scientist, and Chitti, a robot made by him. Aishwarya Rai was cast as Vaseegaran’s love interest, Sana, opposite Rajini, one of the rare cases in Indian cinema where the on-screen pair had a 23-year age difference but were distinct with chemistry.
The narrative of the movie was innovative and engaging. Vaseegaran finds it hard to control Chitti following an upgrade of the robot’s software to make it understand human emotions. The turn comes with the dark side when Chitti becomes Sana’s love interest and is lured by the boss of Vaseegaran, Bohra, to turn into an assassin. The manner in which Enthiran merged science fiction, romance, and thriller was such that it would be impossible not to watch. It wasn’t merely a movie you watched; it was an event where people laughed, gasped, and caught their breath as the narrative seemed to unfold before you. Unsurprisingly, it turned into a gigantic hit, pulling in ₹291 crore worldwide, including ₹193 crore from India alone. The film didn’t just reinforce Rajinikanth’s status as a larger-than-life icon; it also gave Aishwarya Rai a renewed wave of pan-Indian stardom. Riding on its success, the producers released a sequel, 2.0, with Rajinikanth in the lead as well as Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson. This time, the scale was even greater, and the numbers were staggering: ₹691 crore worldwide and ₹407 crore in India. It proved that when Rajinikanth unleashes his magic along with high-voltage sci-fi, the spell cannot be broken.
Humor and Humility: The Rajinikanth Way
What makes Rajinikanth stand out from being a mere star is the manner in which he carries the fame. His stories are replete with incidents that anyone can relate to, irrespective of who they are or where they hail from. And even if the world goes on to hail him as a superstar, he is still somebody who laughs at himself. Where others would have been defensive or embarrassed, Rajini laughs and enjoys it with everyone, bringing everyone along with him. That capacity to remain grounded when he is riding high on fame is what makes his charm ageless. The Bangalore meeting bears testimony to this. Rather than getting offended at incredulity or words spoken about his looks, he made a laughing matter out of it, leaving everyone who saw it, including the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, in splits of laughter.
Apart from this, Rajinikanth’s rapport with the other actors is an added bonus of warmth. When Rajinikanth praised Aishwarya Rai at the Enthiran launch, it wasn’t just polite lip service; it came across as a heartfelt gesture of genuine respect and pure professionalism. For his fans, these little glimpses into his real self are just as fascinating as the larger-than-life hero they see on screen.
A Legacy Beyond Cinema
Enthiran is remembered not just for its visuals and box office numbers, but for moments like these as well that bring out the real Rajinikanth, the man behind the super-icon. His ability to merge humor, humility, and humanity on screen and off screen still draws in millions of fans around the world. Whether it is giving laughs to Amitabh Bachchan or charming the people with his carefree nature, Rajinikanth is a star beyond cinema who reaches the hearts of the people.