RAJINIKANTH SAYS 'NO SMOKING'

RAJINIKANTH SAYS 'NO SMOKING'

The Superstar echoed Shatrughan Sinha's request to kick the butt today, on World No Tobacco Day

Prathibha Joy and P Sangeetha

Tuesday evening at the Bangalore Palace Grounds sure was all about celebrating Rebel Star Ambareesh's 60th birthday and his 40 years contribution to Kannada cinema. But the highlight of the evening was, undeniably, the presence of Superstar Rajinikanth, who was one of the first highprofile guests to arrive at the venue, and also the last to speak at the event. Adressing all the guests in chaste Kannada, he spoke at length about the many good qualities Ambi has – like 'Krishnamsha', his ability to solve problems in the industry, and Bheemamshaa. "I go to his house only for the biriyani that is served," said Rajini, "There's also the Duryodhanamsha, of knowing everything but not acting on it. Ellam gothu (He knows everything). He knows that smoking is injurious to health, but he isn't doing anything about it," said Rajini, also seconding Shatrughan Sinha's request to Ambareesh to quit smoking.
Earlier in the day, when Shatru took the stage, he reminisced about how he, Rajini and Ambareesh were famed for their style of onscreen smoking. "Years ago, on May 31st, I gave up smoking. Rajini doesn't smoke anymore. I urge Ambareesh to give up smoking this World No Tobacco Day for his own good, to have him lead a happy and healthy life, and also to ensure that his fans get to see more of him for a very long time. He should now get ready to lead the society," said Shatru. The other highprofile dignitaries at the event were Mohan Babu, Lakshmi Manchu, Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Jackie Shroff and Khushbu.

Rajinikanth with Risheeka Singh

Ambareesh

'AMBAREESH RAGS RAJINI OFTEN'

Sunayana Suresh

For the Ambareesh household, Rajinikanth is no guest. Sumalatha Ambareesh, who has acted in Tamil films with the Superstar, sheds some light on the friendship he shares with her husband. "Everyone knows Rajinikanth is a private person. But, if there's one person who can take Rajini heads on and rag him about this, then it has to be my husband. He always takes his case on being the private person," says Sumalatha.
She adds, "There are times when Rajini just calls on us and says 'Ambi I'm coming'. He is fond of home food, so the kitchen will prepare his favourite treats then. The equation that they share is beyond just friendship." Besides Rajini, other greats like Mohan Babu, Chiranjeevi and Shatrughan Sinha, are regular guests at their place too. "Each of them goes beyond just being acting or political colleagues. The most heart-warming bit was the fact was that everyone who spoke at the event said that no one can get a friend like Ambareesh. I think that this is the best gift anyone can receive on his birthday," she says. On a sombre note, Sumalatha does add, "One person we missed at this event very deeply was Vishnuvardhan. We're sure he would be looking from somewhere up there in the heaven and wishing his friend. Ambareesh gets emotional talking about him, so he fumbled for words while mentioning his name even at the event."