Rajinikanth, a prominent figure in Indian cinema, shared a behind-the-scenes story from his 1991 film Thalapathi, directed by Mani Ratnam. Despite the film's success, Rajinikanth faced challenges while acting, particularly with his initial scene alongside Shobana. He struggled with his performance due to Mani Ratnam's unique direction and his own limited set of expressions for emotions.

During a 2022 event, Rajinikanth revealed that he reached out to Kamal Haasan for advice. Haasan suggested he mimic Mani Ratnam's acting to better capture the required emotions. This advice proved invaluable, helping Rajinikanth perform more effectively.

Thalapathi, written by Mani Ratnam and Umesh Sharma, features Rajinikanth, Mammootty, and Shobana, with music by Ilaiyaraaja. Currently, Rajinikanth is preparing for his upcoming film Vettaiyan, directed by TJ Gnanavel and set for release on October 14. Kamal Haasan's next project is Thug Life, following his recent appearance in Indian 2.