I like you, not your acting: Rajinikanth remembers Bharathiraja’s honesty in tribute
Rajinikanth paid tribute to Bharathiraja in Chennai and remembered the director’s unfiltered honesty. He said the filmmaker’s work, friendship and support for others will be remembered for years.
Superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday paid tribute to his friend Bharathiraja, one of the iconic directors of Tamil cinema, and said the late filmmaker’s name will always remain in the hearts of Tamil people. He recalled how the filmmaker had openly said that he never liked my acting but he liked me as a human being.
Speaking to the media in Chennai after paying tribute, Rajinikanth recalled Bharathiraja’s long contribution to cinema and his enduring place in the public memory. The filmmaker died at his residence on Wednesday morning after prolonged illness. He was 84 years old.
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On a personal note, Rajinikanth described the six-time National Award-winning director as innocent as a child. He said that Bharathiraja always expressed his views openly. Rajinikanth said, “If he likes it, he will say he likes it. Otherwise he will say ‘no’. He has even told me, ‘I like you, but I don’t like your acting.'”
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Rajinikanth said that Bharathiraja has been his friend for 50 years and is aware of his talent and achievements. He said that the director introduced many actors and technicians to the film industry and he was always the first one to stand up for people facing difficulties.
He said, “Not only this, he was one of those people who first raised his voice for anyone, be it producers, directors or anyone who had a problem. No matter how many years pass, his works will be forgotten. His name will always remain in the hearts of Tamil people.”
The actor said that it is always a pleasure to be with Bharathiraja and said that very few people are as open as him in expressing their views. He said this was one of the reasons why Bharathiraja was close to many people, including former chief ministers MGR and Kalaignar Karunanidhi and Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan.
Rajinikanth said that Bharathiraja had so much love and friendship that he could go to anyone’s house at any time of the day.
Coolie The actor also said that Bharathiraja’s death was not sudden and he recalled that he wanted to meet him when he was alive. He said he was told he could meet the director after his recovery, but that meeting never happened. He said, “But then again, I could not meet him. He will always be in my thoughts and with me. May his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family members.”
Rajinikanth and Bharathiraja worked 16 Vayathinile And kodi parakkuthu.
Actor, producer and MP Kamal Haasan, CM Vijay, former CM MK Stalin and music composer Ilaiyaraaja, among others, also visited the late director’s residence and paid tribute.