During Ponniyin Selvan audio release, Rajinikanth shared his funny experience during the shooting of Dalapati. He told the story with Kamal Haasan as a witness and Mammootty as the character. The day the shooting of Dalapati starts. Shooting is in Mysore. I was acting in a Hindi film in Bombay. By the time I reached Mysore from Bombay, it was 12 pm. The next morning when I arrived for the shoot, I told her that I didn’t want to wear makeup. I did not agree. You can’t do without makeup, you put on foundation. Mammootty is co-starring. He sits like an apple. If you go there without any makeup, you will look like full moon and new moon. Those who said yes and put the cost went inside. Then comes the costume. Loose pants and loose shirts. Can’t, said to bring it tight. Somehow they put the fabric together and made it tight. So he went to the set wearing a tailored suit and walking shoes.
When he saw me, Mani sir looked right. He asked, ‘Sir, the cost has also been changed.’ Looking at the same look, he started discussing something with Santhosh Shivan, Suhasini and Thota Dharani. They are continuing the discussion without taking a shot.
The shot is for me and Shobhana. Shobhana is terribly mischievous. Shobhana was asked what they were talking about me, ‘Are they talking about replacing you with Kamal Haasan?’ This was Shobhana’s reply. After a while Mani sir came. He said he would take the shot. But I realized they were discussing my costumes. The shot taken that day is of him talking to Shobhana by the side of the pool. The second day I did not wear makeup. The loose pants and shirt that were given to me in the first place, I went to the set with slippers.
So the first day is over and the second day is over. Days when shooting seems overwhelming. Because I had some stock expressions like stock visuals. An expression for crying, a stock expression for laughing, loving, angry and scared! He is not satisfied with all this. Dialogues are also not good. Mani sir says that feel, feel should come. I thought, ‘What does that feel like’. I have no idea. I was sure that if I go like this, my case will be bad.
So I called Kamal. ‘Kamal, there is terrible suffering here. Ten to twelve takes per shot. Romba is sorry, what will you do next?’ Kamal laughed hearing my words. ‘I knew this, I suffered the same. Let me give you an idea. When it comes to telling the scene, ask Mani if he can act it out. He will act and show. Walk back and forth a bit as if we have invited it inward. Then change somewhere and sit for a while as if thinking about something and say, Sir, I am ready.’ This was Kamal’s advice.
So Mani asked sir if he can act and show. After he explained it, he smoked the cigarette and walked seriously for two rounds and said ok sir. With that, the shot is also okay. Thank you Kamal.’ Rajni says with a smile.