Chennai, March 11: He might have earned millions for essaying various roles in reel life, but Tamil superstar Rajinikanth cherishes most a Rs 10 note that a disguise in real life fetched him recently.
The superstar, who visited a temple in Bangalore in the guise of a humble old man, was mistaken for a beggar by a woman, who gave him Rs 10.
This amusing anecdote has been mentioned in the actor's recently-released biography 'The name is Rajinikanth,' authored by city-based Ophthalmologist Gayathri Sreekanth.
After his latest blockbuster movie 'Sivaji -- The Boss,'
which kept cash registers ringing not only in India but also
abroad, Rajnikanth suddenly wanted to visit a temple much to
the bewilderment of his friend.
When cautioned that there would be a stampede in the
temple, given his immense popularity, Rajnikanth stood his
ground, saying he would go in disguise, the book said.
Pulling out a dental prosthesis from his kit, he got into
action. Within a few minutes, Rajnikanth, reportedly the
highest paid actor in the sub-continent next to Jackie Chan in
the whole of Asia, was dressed in a crumpled shirt and a
simple lungi, with a thick brown shawl covering his head.
When the incensed friend wanted to know how a man worth
millions could come out like a beggar, Rajinikanth said, " I
like my freedom. No one can confine me in a golden cage."
Assuming the gait of an old man and walking with a limp,
Rajnikanth went inside the temple where no one took notice of
him. However, a middle-aged Gujarati lady approached the actor
and handed him a Rs 10 note, taking pity on his appearance.
Rajni, who was stunned but adept at concealing surprises,
politely took the money and stepped into the shrine, the book
said.
The lady got confused when she saw the 'alms-seeker'
dropping a 100-rupee note into the temple Hundi and was deeply
embarrassed when he got into a posh car after offering
worship.
Apologising profusely for her folly, the woman offered to
take back her money but the actor smiled at her and said
"Everytime, he finds a way to remind me that I am nothing but
a mere beggar at his altar. You have just been instrumental in
his play act. It's his way of saying we are nobody in front of
him."
Keeping the Rs 10 note in his pocket, the superstar left
the place, the book said.
The biography also mentions another anecdote in which the
actor surprised the late Kannada superstar Raj Kumar by posing
as a Godman from Kasi.
Raj Kumar have just had a happy reunion with his family
after undergoing an ordeal of being held captive by forest
brigand Veerappan in 2000, when he was informed about the
arrival of the Godman. He was stunned when the Godman reeled
out intimate details, known only to a select few, about some
of the events during his confinement, the book said.
Bursting into laughter, the Godman removed his disguise.
It was Rajnikanth who had managed to sneak into Raj Kumar's
house, desp=ite heavy security.
Bureau Report
