Amid reports of Rajinikanth-Amitabh Bachchan’s reunion for ‘Thalaivar 170’, a quick glance at their previous works

According to sources, Rajinikanth’s Thalaivar 170 will be directed by TJ Gnanavel of Jai Bhim (2021) fame and it will kick-start in July-end.

Amitabh Bachchan in cameo

A poster of ‘Andha Kanoon’. (Twitter)

While the two-star actors acted together in three films to date, it took nearly 32 years for the two superstar actors of the Indian film industry to reunite after they last shared the screen for the Bollywood blockbuster action-drama film Hum (1991).

Previously, the two acted in Andhaa Kaanoon (1983) and Geraftaar (1985).

However, the first film they shared screen space — Andhaa Kaanoon — saw Amitabh Bachchan in an extended cameo role. It marked the debut of Rajinikanth in Bollywood.

Andhaa Kanoon is a remake of the hit Tamil film Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981), starring Vijaykanth which cemented the actor’s stardom in Kollywood.

Whereas, in the Hindi remake directed by T Rama Rao, Amitabh Bachchan played Jaan Nissar Khan, a convict who joins hands with Vijay Singh (played by Rajinikanth) in the latter part in avenging the murder of his family members.

Durga Devi Singh (played by Hema Malini), Vijay’s sister and a police officer, also seeks to take revenge but through a legal process.

The original Tamil film was remade in Kannada as Nyaya Ellide (1982), in Telugu as Chattaniki Kallu Levu (1981), and in Malayalam as Maattuvin Chattangale (1982).

Related:  Lyca Productions announces Rajinikanth’s next with TJ Gnanavel

Rajini in cameo

‘Gereftaar’ poster. (Facebook)

The next, Geraftaar, saw Rajinikanth in a special guest role. It was another typical Bollywood commercial potboiler from the 1980s.

This time, the duo was joined by another South Indian star actor— Kamal Haasan. According to box-office reports, the film was the third highest-grossing film in 1985.

Amitabh Bachchan plays Karan Kumar Khanna, the eldest and lost brother of Kishen (Kamal Haasan). It is also a revenge-seeking tale with a huge star cast including Phoonam Dhillon, Madhavi, Khader Khan and Shakti Kapoor.

Full-fledged roles in Hum

Amitabh Bachchcan in ‘Hum’. (Twitter)

The final outing of the two-star actors was Hum in 1991, a crime thriller directed by Mukul S Anand. This was a blockbuster for Amitabh Bachchan before he went on a sabbatical from acting for five years.

Of the four awards the film won, Amitabh Bachchan won the best actor award at the 37th Filmfare Awards.

It also stars Govinda, Kimi Katkar, Deepa Sahi, Shilpa Shirodkar, Danny Denzongpa, Anupam Kher and Kader Khan.

This was an inspiration for the upcoming Rajinikanth’s one of biggest hit films – Baasha released in 1995. The same was remade in Kannada as Kotigobba (2001) featuring Dr Vishnuvardhan.

Upcoming ones

Rajinikanth recently wrapped up the shooting of Jailer directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. It features the Superstar in the lead role alongside Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar, Malayalam actor Mohanlal, Sunil, Jackie Shroff, Ramya Krishnan, Tamannaah, Vasanth Ravi, and Redin Kingsley.

He now joined the team of Lal Salaam directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth. Rajinikanth is making his appearance in a cameo role as Moideen Bhai in Lal Salaam, a cricket-based drama in which Vishnu Vishal is believed to be playing a cricketer in the film.

Meanwhile, Amitabh Bachchan has been busy shooting for the courtroom drama thriller Section 84 directed by Ribhu Dasgupta. He is also gearing up to host the 15th season of the popular TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).

That’s not all, Big B will also feature in Nag Ashwin’s Project K, simultaneously made in both Hindi and Telugu, starring Deepika Padukone and Prabhas.

Also Read: Senior Malayalam actor Jagadish turns 68