Rajinikanth says Bharathiraja never thought he was a good actor; regrets not meeting veteran filmmaker one last time

Rajinikanth Reflects on Bharathiraja’s Unwavering Honesty and Regrets Missing Final Meeting

Rajinikanth says Bharathiraja never thought he was - The celebrated Tamil filmmaker Bharathiraja passed away in Chennai on June 10 at the age of 84 following a lengthy illness. His debut film, 16 Vayathile (1977), featured two iconic stars—Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan—who visited his home in Neelankarai to offer their final tributes. After the ceremony, both actors shared heartfelt recollections of their enduring partnership, with Rajinikanth revealing a personal insight about Bharathiraja’s perspective on his acting career.

"Even as I became a superstar, Bharathiraja never saw me as a great actor," Rajinikanth confessed. "He was my friend for almost half a century. His honesty was rare—like a child, he would voice his thoughts without hesitation. He’d challenge me, saying, 'You’re a good person, but your acting leaves something to be desired.' That kind of directness was refreshing. Being around him was always a joy."

The actor also expressed a lingering sense of loss, recounting his desire to reunite with Bharathiraja in his final days. “I was told he was improving, but I never got to see him one last time. It’s a regret I carry with me,” he said. “Though his death wasn’t sudden, I wish I could have met him before he left us.” Kamal Haasan echoed this sentiment, stating, “The gentleman has gone, but his legacy in cinema remains. I’m not mourning the losses—only celebrating the gains. He created films with me, and I’m deeply grateful.”

Reflecting on their early days, Rajinikanth highlighted a moment from 2017 at Bharathiraja’s BIIC inauguration. “I’ve cherished our bond, but he never fully embraced me as an actor,” he said. “In old interviews, when asked about me, he’d call me a 'good human being' but not a 'good actor.' It was fascinating to hear how he saw me through his lens."

"I only met Rajinikanth twice—once for my debut film and again for the institute’s launch," Bharathiraja once remarked. "Yet, he’s a self-made man who climbed to unparalleled heights. I’m proud to have been part of his journey, even if my role was small."

Neeshita Nyayapati: A Journalist with a Cinematic Heart

Neeshita Nyayapati, a seasoned journalist with a Master’s in Journalism and over a decade of experience in print and digital media, remains deeply passionate about films. Her career has spanned organizations like The Times of India and Reader’s Digest, yet her love for cinema never wavers. As a child, she fell for the magic of storytelling on screen, believing nothing compares to the thrill of watching a compelling film with a warm bowl of popcorn.

While her role as Chief Content Producer is significant, Neeshita prioritizes her role as a movie enthusiast. She balances her work with the latest cinematic releases, often reviewing rom-coms or action films. Outside of film, she covers breaking news in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi, and conducts insightful interviews with celebrities. Though her focus is Telugu cinema, she embraces diverse topics to stay informed, from industry announcements to scandals and hard-hitting news.

Neeshita finds solace in simple pleasures—a good book, a cup of hot chocolate, and the serene beauty of a beach view. Her love for biking and travel has taken her to places like Gangtok’s frozen lakes, Coorg’s coffee plantations, and Bandipur’s dense forests. No matter the destination, she cherishes discovering inspiring stories that move her. These tales, she believes, are the soul of her work and the true essence of cinema.