When Rajinikanth shared why he wouldn’t remake Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Cheeni Kum: ‘I crave for a National award, but…’

In an old interview with guru and legendary filmmaker K Balachander, Rajinikanth spoke about why he can't remake a film like Cheeni Kum, and three films of his that will continue to be spoken 50 years from now.

By: Entertainment Desk

Chennai | February 28, 2025 05:13 PM IST

3 min read

Rajinikanth on his desire to win a National Award. (Photo: Aishwarya Rajinikanth/Instagram)

Almost fifty years back, the acting potential of one film institute student named Shivaji Rao Gaekwad was unearthed by veteran director K Balachander. The aspiring actor was rechristened Rajinikanth, and almost fifty years later, he has become one of Indian cinema’s greatest superstars with a rich and fulfilling legacy. However, in an old interview with his mentor K Balachander, Rajinikanth opened up about one aspect of his career that he still feels needs a change.

In the interview conducted during a Directors’ Union celebration event, Dadasaheb Phalke award recipient K Balachander asked his fellow awardee Rajinikanth if he craves for recognition as an actor, especially receiving a National Award for Best Actor. The refreshingly candid Rajinikanth minced no words, and simply said, “Yes, there is a craving for a National award, but it is all in the hands of the right kind of directors.”

However, when questioned about his superstar legacy, and if he could act in a film like Cheeni Kum, which featured Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role, Rajinikanth was quick to brush it off, and said, “Honestly, now, my satisfaction doesn’t really lie in delivering those films that taps into the artistic side of me. Now, my focus is on the big commercial ventures. My heart beats fonder for those kind of films. Of course, Cheeni Kum is a commercial film, but it is a small commercial film. My aim is to make those big-ticket commercial ventures.”

Undoubtedly, it is this clarity that has truly been the hallmark of his stellar 50-year career where he not only knew what worked for him, but was also fully aware of what didn’t work for him. Probably why, when asked by his guru about the films in his filmography that will stand the test of time like a Mughal-e-Azam, Veerapandiya Kattabomman and Enga Veetu Pillai, which continue to be the golden standard of Indian cinema even 50 years after their release, Rajinikanth chose films that satiated his artistic side, the commercial side, and his spiritual side.

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“Sri Raghavendra, Baasha, and Enthiran, I guess,” said Rajinikanth, proving once again that he is a superstar of all ages for a reason. He understands the needs of commercial cinema, adapting to the evolution of the audience, technology, and filmmaking style, and most importantly… the brand Rajinikanth.

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