Raghuvaran’s mother wrote superstar Rajni a letter after he didn’t attend his friend’s funeral, but never sent it
An recent interview featuring Kasthuri, the mother of the late actor Raghuvaran, and his younger brother Ramesh, has captured attention online due to their discussion about Raghuvaran’s relationship with the iconic actor Rajinikanth. Raghuvaran, who passed away in 2008 due to complications from alcohol abuse, was renowned for portraying antagonist roles in movies alongside Rajinikanth, often seen as the perfect counterbalance to the superstar.
Rajni and Raghuvaran’s bond
Even Rajinikanth himself acknowledged this during the audio launch of his film ‘Kaala.’ Beyond their convincing on-screen chemistry, the two shared a genuine friendship, as revealed by Raghuvaran’s brother. “Rajini sir used to say that he can perform well if he has Raghuvaran as his villain,” he shared, adding that Thalaiva would even call Raghuvaran during lunch breaks on set.
Raghuvaran once advised Rajinikanth to steer away from depicting violence on screen despite some of his most successful movies being action-thrillers, urging him to play a non-violent hero. “‘Sir, you quit all this fighting in your films. You go and act as a peacemaker by stopping all the fights that take place outside on the streets. This will take you to the next level,’ he said.” We can clearly see how much care Raghuvaran had for his on-screen enemy’s career.
Ramesh recalled that Rajinikanth would chuckle in a typical Rajni style when Raghuvaran used to say this.
Rajni was the only one from the industry who didn’t attend Raghuvaran’s funeral
Despite their strong bond, Rajinikanth’s absence at Raghuvaran’s funeral raised questions. Kasthuri noted that everyone in the industry paid a visit except Rajni, who was shooting a film outside the city. She said she wrote a letter to him, but decided not to send it because she didn’t want to intrude on a big personality like him.
When questioned about the letter’s content, Kasthuri shared, “I wrote that they were good friends but things turned out this way,” she further added that Raghuvaran also regarded Dhanush (Rajni’s former son-in-law) as a son and enjoyed collaborating with him on ‘Yaaradi Nee Mohini.’ Kasthuri added that despite the circumstances, Rajinikanth always treated them with respect.
Meanwhile, numerous reports suggest that Rajinikanth missed the funeral because he couldn’t bear the grief of losing a dear friend and ally.
Raghuvaran, who passed away at 49, left behind an impressive legacy of work.
Raghuvaran’s career and legacy
Raghuvaran, a distinguished Indian actor, carved an indelible niche in the world of South Indian cinema. Renowned for his compelling portrayal of antagonistic characters, his career burgeoned in the late 1970s. His breakthrough came with the 1991 film ‘Chinna Thambi,’ propelling him into the spotlight as a formidable antagonist. Collaborations with iconic actor Rajinikanth in films like ‘Muthu,’ ‘Baasha,’ and ‘Annamalai’ showcased his exceptional ability to infuse depth into negative roles. Raghuvaran’s versatility shone through diverse characters, exemplified by his emotionally charged performance as a mentally challenged father in Mani Ratnam’s popular ‘Anjali’ (1990).
His foray extended beyond Tamil cinema, encompassing Telugu and Malayalam films. Tragically, his life was marred by personal struggles, including battles with alcoholism which ended up taking his life at the young age of 49. Despite his untimely demise on March 19, 2008, his impactful legacy endures, a testament to his prowess in breathing life into characters that left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
Raghuvaran was married to actress Rohini in 1996, but the couple separated in 2004. They have a son named Rishi Varan, born in 2000.
Rajnikanth will be next seen in the much-anticipated Jailer.
