Mysuru: Superstar Rajinikanth delighted fans in Mysuru on Tuesday when he arrived at the sets of his upcoming film Dharman in an autorickshaw. The actor’s simple mode of transport and warm interaction with fans quickly became a talking point on social media.
Several fans had gathered outside the shooting location hoping to catch a glimpse of the veteran actor. Rajinikanth surprised the crowd when he reached the venue in an autorickshaw, accompanied by his security personnel.
As fans cheered and called out to him, Rajinikanth waved at them before getting down from the vehicle. His arrival in a common mode of transport added to the excitement among those waiting outside the sets.
Rajinikanth steps out to greet fans
Another video from the location showed security personnel trying to close the gate to prevent fans from getting closer to the shooting area after the actor arrived. However, as the cheers from the crowd grew louder, Rajinikanth stepped out again and acknowledged the fans.
Dressed in a maroon shirt and veshti, the actor waved at the gathering outside the sets. Children were also seen among the fans, with some accompanied by their parents. A few fans recreated Rajinikanth’s iconic hand gesture from his 2002 film Baba while greeting him.
The actor’s brief interaction with the crowd added to the festive atmosphere around the Mysuru shooting schedule.
Rajinikanth visits Chamundeshwari Temple
Rajinikanth also visited the Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysuru during the early hours of September 30. He was seen without makeup and dressed in his usual all-white attire.
Fans gathered near the temple premises to catch a glimpse of the actor as he visited the popular shrine. Videos and pictures from his temple visit also circulated on social media.
Rajinikanth is currently in Mysuru for the shooting schedule of Dharman, which is being directed by Ashwath Marimuthu.
Ram Pothineni and Sreeleela spark casting speculation
Dharman features Rajinikanth alongside Simran, Raashii Khanna and Yogi Babu. However, pictures and videos emerging from the Mysuru schedule have fuelled speculation that Telugu actors Ram Pothineni and Sreeleela could also have roles in the film.
A video reportedly filmed at the shooting location appears to show Sreeleela dressed in a pink-and-blue pattu pavadai, or half saree. Meanwhile, a photograph featuring Raashii Khanna with Ram Pothineni and Rajinikanth has also circulated online.
According to a report by The Times of India, Raashii had initially shared the photograph as part of a Mysuru photo dump before deleting it after apparently realising that Ram Pothineni’s casting had not been officially announced. Her revised social media post reportedly omitted the Telugu actor and instead featured pictures from her food and sightseeing experiences in Mysuru.
Neither Ram Pothineni nor Sreeleela has been officially announced as part of the cast of Dharman so far.
Kamal Haasan to produce Dharman
The film was officially titled Dharman in June, when Kamal Haasan announced the project that he is producing with Rajinikanth. Ashwath Marimuthu is directing the film.
Before Ashwath Marimuthu came on board, Sundar C and Cibi Chakravarthi had reportedly been associated with projects involving Rajinikanth, but both were subsequently replaced.
The first-look poster of Dharman offered a glimpse of Rajinikanth’s character and generated considerable curiosity about the film. The actor was shown wearing medical scrubs and standing inside an operation theatre with a bloodied scalpel in his hand.
The poster also featured dead bodies sewn together around him, while the tagline read, “The deadly doctor.” The image suggested that Rajinikanth would be seen in a distinctive role in the film.
With shooting currently underway in Mysuru, the arrival of Rajinikanth in an autorickshaw and his repeated interactions with fans have added another memorable moment to the film’s ongoing schedule.