Rajinikanth’s 72nd birthday: Shatrughan Sinha talks about his dear friend – Exclusive – Times of India

“Garam Dharam, Thalaiva Rajinikanth and I are all born in December a few days removed from one another. Both Dharmendra and Rajinikanth are my dearest friends. They are both down-to-earth and humble, when they have every reason to be the opposite,” says Shatruji appreciatively.

“I mean, there is no superstar bigger than Rajinikanth in this land. Miraculously he has managed to stay grounded, humble and very close to his roots. He can afford the best cars, and clothes that money can buy. But Rajini prefers to live frugally. He is a saint by nature,” Shatruji reveals.

Rajinikanth has always maintained he is a fan Shatrughan Sinha. Laughs Shatruji, “Yes, he said that. I think he means that he took inspiration for his stylized acting from me. So sweet and modest of him. Rajinikanth and I worked together in 1986 in KC Bokadia’s Asli Naqli. Rajinikanth would say he is the naqli one and I am the asli one.”

They meet socially whenever they can. “Whenever I am in Chennai I try to visit him and his lovely wife Latha. I personally feel Rajinikanth is not cut out for politics. He is too humble and honest to be a politician,” says Shatrughan Sinha.