📌 Key Points
- Megastar Chiranjeevi stunned fans, played villain against Rajinikanth!
- Rajinikanth seized role MGR abandoned for politics!
- ‘Bandhipotu Simham’ rocked Tamil Nadu, flopped in Telugu!
- Chiranjeevi’s lost Kollywood dream: A pivotal film halted!
In 1981, a surprising choice unfolded in South Indian cinema. Chiranjeevi, already a rising star with nearly 30 Telugu films as a hero, made a surprising turn, playing a villain opposite the legendary Rajinikanth in ‘Ranaveeran’. This unexpected collaboration, widely attributed to immense mutual respect, prompts us to explore career decisions and missed opportunities in our vibrant film industry.
Unlikely Alliance: Chiranjeevi’s Villainous Cameo
In 1981, despite a flourishing career in Telugu cinema where he had already showcased his versatility across nearly 30 films as a hero, character artist, and villain—including notable works like ‘Nyayam Kavali’, ‘Mogudu Kavali’, ‘Punnaminaagu’, ‘Kothalarayudu’, ‘Nakili Manishi‘, and ‘Love in Singapore’—Chiranjeevi made a surprising appearance as a villain opposite Rajinikanth in the film ‘Ranaveeran’. It is widely believed that Chiranjeevi took on this antagonistic role out of profound respect for Rajinikanth.
There’s an interesting backstory to ‘Ranaveeran’. The film’s producer, Veerappan, had initially prepared the story for Tamil cinema icon MGR. However, with MGR fully immersed in politics, Veerappan, in collaboration with director S.P. Muthuraman (who recognized Rajinikanth’s burgeoning commercial appeal), ultimately cast Rajinikanth as the hero. Thus, Rajinikanth stepped into a project originally intended for MGR. With Sridevi as the heroine, ‘Ranaveeran’ was released on October 26, 1981, and proved to be a significant success in Tamil Nadu. The thrilling fights and action sequences between Chiranjeevi and Rajinikanth, in particular, captivated audiences. However, the film’s fortunes differed considerably upon its Telugu release. Despite being dubbed as ‘Bandhipotu Simham’ in 1982, it failed to garner much appreciation from the audience and did not achieve the expected success, ultimately lacking popularity in Telugu. This collaboration, however, cemented a lasting friendship between Chiranjeevi and Rajinikanth, a bond that endures to this day. Further testament to this friendship came years later when Rajinikanth remade Chiranjeevi’s 1989 Telugu hit ‘Attaku Yamudu Ammaiki Mogudu’ in Tamil as ‘Mappillai’, with Chiranjeevi himself making a guest appearance, underscoring the high value he places on their relationship.
Enduring Friendship, Lost Tamil Star Status
The decision for Chiranjeevi to take on a villainous role in ‘Ranaveeran’ might also be linked to an earlier, unfortunate missed opportunity in his career. Early on, Chiranjeevi was reportedly slated for a significant lead role in a Tamil film alongside veteran actress K.R. Vijaya, who had already graced the screen with Telugu cinema’s biggest stars like NTR, ANR, Krishna, and Shoban Babu. This collaboration was seen as a golden chance for the emerging Chiranjeevi to establish himself in Tamil Nadu. However, after a few days of shooting, the film was unexpectedly halted due to unforeseen reasons. K.R. Vijaya later stated in an interview that had this film been completed, Chiranjeevi would likely have become a star hero in Tamil cinema at that time. It’s plausible that this setback, preventing him from achieving lead status in Kollywood, influenced his decision to accept the villain role in Rajinikanth’s film.
Ultimately, while certain past film opportunities may have been lost, the deep bond and friendship between Chiranjeevi and Rajinikanth have continued to thrive, standing as a true testament to their mutual respect and camaraderie.
Looking Ahead
Ultimately, Chiranjeevi’s bold move for Rajinikanth underscores a friendship transcending any missed opportunity. Their mutual respect and deep camaraderie remain a powerful, inspiring testament. We can only anticipate how this legendary bond continues to grace our screens, offering more unexpected and unforgettable cinematic magic.
