Rajinikanth Remakes of Amitabh Bachchan’s Superhits: A Glance at Their Cinematic Connection
Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan, two iconic superstars of Indian cinema, have captivated audiences with their remarkable performances for several decades.
Maheswara Rao Nadella | Published On: Jun, 27, 2023 | 05:08 PM
Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan, two iconic superstars of Indian cinema, have captivated audiences with their remarkable performances for several decades. Interestingly, Rajinikanth has appeared in films that were remakes of Amitabh Bachchan’s blockbuster hits, showcasing their cinematic connection. Let’s take a closer look at these films that brought together the charisma of both these legendary actors.
- Billa (Remake of Don): Released in 1980, “Billa” is a Tamil remake of Amitabh Bachchan’s cult classic “Don” (1978). Rajinikanth’s portrayal of the titular character in “Billa” remains one of the most memorable roles of his career.
- Dharmatin Thalaivan (Remake of Kasme Vaade): “Dharmatin Thalaivan” (1988) is based on Bachchan’s “Kasme Vaade” released a decade earlier. While “Kasme Vaade” featured Amitabh Bachchan, Randhir Kapoor, and Rakhee Gulzar, the Tamil remake starred Rajinikanth, Suhasini Maniratnam, and Prabhu in prominent roles.
- Padikathavan (Remake of Khud-Daar): “Padikathavan,” released in 1985, is a remake of Amitabh Bachchan’s “Khud-Daar” (1982). The original film included Bachchan, Vinod Mehra, and Parveen Babi, while the Tamil version starred Sivaji Ganesan, Rajinikanth, and Ambika.
- Velaikkaran (Remake of Namak Halal): “Namak Halal” (1982) featured the iconic Bollywood duo of Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor. In 1987, the Tamil remake titled “Velaikkaran” showcased Rajinikanth, Sarath Babu, Amala, and Pallavi. The makers of the remake remained faithful to the original, even retaining the famous dialogue, “I can talk English, I can walk English, I can laugh English, I can run English because English is such a funny language.”
- Panakkaran (Remake of Laawaris): “Panakkaran” (1990) served as a remake of “Laawaris” (1982). Rajinikanth and Gautami starred in the Tamil version, while the original film featured Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman in the lead roles.
- Shankar Salim Simon (Remake of Amar Akbar Anthony): The Tamil version of “Amar Akbar Anthony,” titled “Shankar Salim Simon,” was released in 1978. Rajinikanth essayed the role of Simon, while Vijayakumar and Jai Ganesh played Shankar and Salim, respectively. The Hindi original, released in 1977, starred Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, and Vinod Khanna in the titular roles.
The remakes of Amitabh Bachchan’s superhits featuring Rajinikanth demonstrate the enduring popularity of these films and the seamless connection between Bollywood and Tamil cinema. These movies allowed fans of both actors to witness their beloved stars in roles that resonated with audiences across different regions of India.
