Renowned Indian actor Rajinikanth, celebrated for his iconic style and down-to-earth persona, recently had his former co-star, Devan, share insights about their collaboration on the film ‘Baasha.’ In a recent interview with Manorama, Devan recounted his experience working with the superstar during the 10-day shoot in Mumbai.
Devan praised Rajinikanth’s humility, describing the actor as a genuinely modest individual. Following the completion of the shooting schedule, Rajinikanth graciously invited Devan and the entire crew to join him for dinner.
During the interview, Devan revealed an interesting encounter with Rajinikanth. Despite initially missing calls and an invitation for dinner, Devan arrived late, only to be warmly welcomed by the actor. During their conversation, Rajinikanth opened up about a significant chapter from his past, expressing a desire to confess some unforgettable moments.
The megastar recounted his days as a bus conductor in Bengaluru and shared a poignant tale about a young woman named Nirmala. Rajinikanth explained that despite an initial rocky start, they became friends. Nirmala, a medical student, attended one of Rajinikanth’s plays, prompting her to apply for an admission for him at the Adyar film institute.
Rajinikanth detailed how Nirmala, affectionately called Nimmy, admired his acting skills and expressed her wish to see him on movie posters and cutouts in theaters. Despite this connection, Rajinikanth lost contact with Nirmala when he left for Chennai to pursue a course at the film university.
The actor shared his unsuccessful attempts to locate Nirmala upon returning to Bangalore and his inquiries about her even after achieving success. Notably, Rajinikanth disclosed borrowing money from Nirmala when he first arrived in Chennai with limited funds.
The poignant narrative of Rajinikanth’s friend aiding him in joining the acting institution in Chennai was adapted into the film ‘Kuselan.’ However, the movie did not explicitly reveal that Nirmala was his love interest. When Devan asked Rajinikanth if he ever found Nimmy, the superstar actor regretfully confirmed that he hadn’t. By that time, Rajinikanth had married Latha Rajinikanth and become a father to Aishwaryaa and Soundarya.
