I Wanted To Be A Part Of Ponniyin Selvan, But Mani Ratnam Refused: Says Rajinikanth

On September 6, the monumental "Ponniyin Selvan" trailer and audio launch took place. As honorary guests, actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan attended the occasion. Rajinikanth, a "superstar," spoke to the crowd prior to the trailer launch and discussed his time working with Mani Ratnam. Rajinikanth praised Mani Ratnam for finally bringing about "Ponniyin Selvan" after so many years.

"Earlier, when Mani Ratnam wanted to do the movie, I said, it was an amazing idea. He asked me if I read the book. I said no sorry, I haven't. Then I thought I should give it a read and Mani Ratnam said there are 2500 pages. I laughed and I was like there's no way I am reading it. Later, after a few years, I decided to give it a read. I was late, if Kalki was alive at the time I read the book, I would have fallen on his leg," Rajinikanth said. Rajinikanth also said that he wanted to be a part of the movie 'Ponniyin Selvan', but Mani Ratnam refused to offer him a role. "When Mani Ratnam announced in 2019 that he has started the work for the film, I called and asked him to let me play the role of Periya Pazhuvettarayar. He outrightly said no and asked me if I wanted my fans to scold him. He also added that this is not the role of a superstar like you as the screen presence is very less. I still wanted to do it. He then convinced me that I have better movies to do and it was not required for me to do a small role even as a special appearance. This is what you call an excellent director. If it was anyone else, they would have agreed to my request. That's the reason he is Mani Ratnam." Rajinikanth also reflected on his time spent working with Mani Ratnam on the film Thalapathi. He admitted that Mani Ratnam used to reject all of the stock expressions that Rajinikanth had prepared for the film's filming, so he had to turn to Kamal Haasan for assistance. Mani Ratnam will portray the scene and describe, he further stated. "I phoned Kamal and told him that Mani Ratnam is difficult to work with and that he is not happy with any of the acting or facial expressions. Kamal instantly advised me to ask Mani Ratnam to act the sequence and to simply pretend that you are considering how to improve it before playing it precisely as Mani Ratnam stated, after which the take will be successful "said Rajinikanth.