NAHI RE, MERE KO AWARD KAUN DEGA ? By Ali Peter John

That Shivajirao Gaikwad could never even dream of becoming an actor is a part of myth now - Ali Peter John

That Shivajirao Gaikwad landed in Madras without any ambition or dream is also a part of myth now.

That Shivajirao Gaikwad worked as a bus conductor to make a living is also a part of myth now.

That Shivajirao Gaikwad worked in a touring theatre and played any role that gave him his daily bread is also a part of myth now.

But that the same Shivajirao Gaikwad originally from Kolhapur in Maharashtra was discovered by the legendary director K Balchander who also discovered Kamalhaasan, Sridevi and Jayaprada, and went on to be a legend is not a myth but a hard and flesh and blood reality of the times.

The unknown Shivaji who got off at the Madras Central Station now not only owns the hearts of the people of Madras, but is a part of their psyche and will be for a very long time.

His latest achievement is his being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the Government of India for his immense contribution to cinema in India.

What an achievement it is for that man who once at an International Film Festival held in Chennai asked me, " ae Ali, mere ko award kaun dega ? ".....

That was a very colourful night. There were stars in the sky and many more stars on the ground. There was a long wait for a man they called Thalaiva ( legend) .

He was supposed to address a press conference and there were journalists from different parts of the world who were eagerly waiting to listen to the legendary Rajnikant who they had read and heard so much about .....

The legend drove into the venue in an old Fiat car and was driving the car himself.

He was dressed in his usual jeans and a casual t shirt and with rubber sandals on his feat.

The entire press stood up to greet him, but he asked them to sit down and requested them not to ask him difficult questions as he was " a simple boy who couldn't talk in the language of the big people ".

He dodged some early questions and then it was the turn of and elderly critic from London who ask him her question and she asked, " Mr Rajnikant, how do you prepare for your role ? "

Rajni looked all around and asked for permission to have a drink and began answering the journalist's questions and said in his typical style, " what preparation, madam ?

Getting up morning, having little idli or dosa, running to studio, wearing costume, doing what director orders, no asking questions or passing orders on others, just doing my duty. Six o clock pack up.

Going to Chola Hotel, sitting in bar, ordering large pegs of whiskey and tandoori chicken.

Latha, my wife coming at 8 o clock sharp and taking me home in her car. Having dinner, talking to Soundarya and Aishwarya and going to sleep.

Getting up morning and going for shooting again. Where is the time for any preparation, madam ?"

The entire gathering of the press burst into laughter, some believed he was joking, others believed he was drunk, but what he was talking about was the truth and nothing but the truth about the great legend of Madras.

Within years, Rajnikant became the emperor of acting in Tamil Cinema. Two years ago, he was all set to join politics, but his regular problems with his health made him opt out of politics and he is now back to what he loves most, acting and it is during the pandemic that he has completed the shooting of his most ambitious film which is called " Hannatte" .

And he is seventy one and lives life strong with his wife Latha, daughters and his star - son in law Dhanush taking very good care of him. And his millions of fans just loving him and literally living for him