Star Wars: Rajnikanth vs. Kamal Haasan Vs 2013

The newest Facebook shared link sensation is the news that, apparently, director Shankar had planned 'Endhiran' with Kamal Haasan. He even had a few mock shots, it seems, until destiny interfered, and eventually landed the role in Rajnikanth's lap.

The rest is history; Tamil Nadu's super-mega-duper star became India's superstar, and Bollywood still hasn't figured out how this man, who they once considered as at best whimsical, at worst a laughable supporting actor, shook them all up with what can be best described as 'mindlessly flawless entertainment'.

But where does that leave Kamal Haasan? And how did the two actors, who once shared screen space as beginners, and went on to rewrite the history of Tamil cinema by ruling it with their own inimitable turfs, evolve as two of India's most admired stars - albeit for different reasons?

Dustin Hoffman recently said: 'In a sense a movie star represents a large segment of society because you want as many people as possible going to the theatre identifying with that person.'

Rajni and Kamal are probably the most incomparable actors and stars. There are twists and turns galore in each one's lives and careers. Yet at some sublime level, you feel they are two versions of one individual - that ultimate movie star with whom we all want to identify with. Daring, dashing, romantic, adventurous, the loser that wins, the winner that always wins, the ultimate star.

Kamal is known as the method actor; Rajni brought his own method to acting. One sinks into the character; the other is the character. By and large, we watch a Kamal film to watch the role he plays; we invariably go to a Rajni flick to clap at Rajni, the role - robot, inspector or don - be damned. Kamal is the master of disguise; even when Rajni gets a million dollar makeover, he remains Rajni.

Kamal was meant to be the actor; he started as a child artist and has completed more than 50 years in cinema. He had the pedigree, looks, caliber and everything that it takes to be the south Indian hero. Rajni, on the other hand, arguably had nothing going for him. His first stepping stone to anything in life wasn't a film studio; it was literally the steps of a transport bus, handing out tickets to passengers. All he had was a passion for acting and a kind-hearted friend, who insisted he go to film school.

Kamal's ascent to success was destined. From child actor to handsome hero, the transition was just a matter of time. He was lucky to work with legends of the day, and he being a talent powerhouse, brought an extra dimension to every role he did. Rajni slogged to bag his role, and perhaps what stood out for him, was the fact that he was the epitome of everything that is not hero material. For Kamal's do-good hero, there was this perfect foil now in the industry, the do-no-good villain. Where Kamal brought passion and method, Rajni brought style and gimmicks. Tamil cinema embraced both.

It is perhaps coincidental that what is considered the break of Kamal Haasan, 'Apoorva Ragangal' is also the turning point in Rajnikanth's career. The two actors shared the screen on several outings, Kamal adding awards to his living room showcase, Rajni adding a new and growing legion of fans.

Kamal was the ultimate romantic - look at him wrap his hands around any heroine, the passion is inflammatory; Rajni did the mandatory romance, but fans loved him for being him - always an arm's distance from any character; always playing Rajni. No other actor in the history of cinema, unless perhaps it is Charlie Chaplin or Jackie Chan, would have played oneself ad nauseam, like Rajni, with the audiences wanting exactly that.

The 80s of Tamil Cinema, undisputedly, belong to Kamal and Rajni. Rajni stuck to his style factor, strategically adapted a number of Amitabh Bachchan hits to Tamil, and became the 'style mannan'. Kamal followed his heart, did an occasional outing in crass commercials, but meticulously chased his passion to experiment, a trait that Aamir Khan looks to have imbued.

In the 80s, Kamal also found national recognition with 'Ek Duje Keliye', and both he and Rajni went on to act in a few Bollywood flicks such as 'Giraftaar' with Big B. Both were noted and liked, but there wasn't room in the Hindi film industry for rank outsiders, that too from the south.

By the end of the 90s, Rajni and Kamal had become selective. They had been through their share of personal ups and downs in life too - Rajni questioning the very essence of life, discovering himself in the comfort of Himalayan gurus, and Kamal challenging the hypocrisy, repressions and moral policing, and living life in his own terms.

Rajni, in personal life, is regarded as the quintessential family man. Kamal is the bohemian. Rajni could influence the political fortunes of Tamil Nadu; Kamal decided that he would rather stick to his passion and be the minister of his own world.

The two now sit back, doing an occasional movie. When Rajni does it, and he plays Rajni, it makes history. Kamal movies get an initial pull, but unless the man hasn't pushed himself, audiences feel cheated. The pressure, as is always with cinema, continues.



But meanwhile, their second generation is taking over. One's son-in-law has contributed the newest anthem that is on everyone's lips; the other's daughter is yet to find her niche.

But is Rajni better than Kamal or vice versa? Hardly. They will remain the polar opposites, and so it must stay.