Anbulla Rajinikanth

Anbulla Rajinikanth (English: Dear Rajinikanth) is a 1984 Tamil film directed by K.Natraj. The film stars Rajinikanth, Meena, and Ambika with Jaishankar, Raadhika and Bhagyaraj in guest roles. It has positive reviews and praised the potrayal of child Artist Meena's performance and mainly Rajinikanth's excellent acting.

Plot

Rosy (Meena), is a wheelchair-using cancer patient, who lives in an orphanage along with other orphans. She is very rude and uncaring towards anyone. She even illtreats her caretaker (Ambika) who is actually her mother.

When Rajinikanth, who acts as himself in the movie, visits the orphanage, Rosy also illtreats him, not knowing that he is Rajinikanth. But after watching a few movies of his, she becomes a big fan of Rajinikanth and the latter also develops a special bond with her, taking her out for his shooting and to many other places. Rosy's attitude also undergoes a change due to this relationship as she becomes a kind and considerate girl.

When Rosy dies on Christmas Eve due to the cancer, she stills holds Rajinikanth's Shirt, and Rajinikanth starts crying, such was their affection for each other.

Cast

• Rajinikanth as himself
• Meena (Child Artist) as Rosy
• Ambika as Mother of Rosy
• Rajkumar Sethupathi as Father of Rosy
• Tinku

Supporting Roles

• Jaishankar as himself
• Bhagyaraj as himself
• Raadhika Sarathkumar as herself
• Parthiban as K. Bhagyaraj's assistant director

Production

Producer Azhagan Thamizhmani and writer Thooyavan saw a film called Touch of Love which had Elvis Presley in a guest appearance at a film festival, both got emotional while watching the film which prompted them to attempt a similar story in Tamil. Thooyavan finished screenplay within a month. He wanted to cast the late MGR as the hero but couldn't do so.^[1] Thooyavan narrated the story to K. Natraj who was working as one of the assistant directors in Devar films. K. Natraj agreed to work on the film and Rajini accepted to act in this film. Rajini initially agreed to give callsheet of 6 days then extended for 10 days since he wanted the film to come out well. The film was entirely shot in a school with 300 students. Rajkumar Sethupathi, brother of actress Latha and husband of actress Sripriya did a small role as Ambika's husband. Meena appeared as one of the main characters.^[2]

Soundtrack

The music composed by Ilaiyaraaja.^[3]

Reception

On 3 August 1984 The Hindu said, "For one making his debut as director Natraj deserves accolades for the near-to-the-heart treatment of the situations in which the performance of a six-member-group of orphans will make even elder artistes sit up" and concluded, "Babu's camera embellishes the frames".^[4] Cinemalead wrote, "Anbulla Rajinikanth made Rajini seal children's heart forever, that was the impact of the movie. The story of a child's emotional bondage with a film actor and her fighting against cancer reached out to audience very well due to Rajini's reach and Meena's acting. The film also gives us some glimpse of Rajini's lifestyle and his real life character".^[5]

References