Rajinikanth dons cop costume

Rajinikanth shot for Darbar in Mumbai, and the superstar stayed in the maximum city for the film’s trailer launch as well. The actor plays a bad cop in the film, a role he doesn’t choose often.

“I have played a cop after almost 25 years. I used to avoid cop roles in the past because I love to do entertaining roles and happy-go-lucky kinds of characters. I do not like playing cops, because their role is always chasing criminals. It is sort of a serious character, which I kept away from,” he reveals, adding that director A. R. Murugadoss brought out the best in him.

“Every director takes from whatever acting capabilities an actor may possess, and my director A.R. Murugadoss has taken it to another level. In this film, he has tried to present this cop’s story with a pinch of uniqueness. The story has emotion and entertainment too,” the 69-year-old shares.

When asked about the evolution of his performances, Rajini says he doesn’t see a change. “Actually, initially maybe I was shy and nervous in front of the cameras. But having been here for nearly 45 years, I have gained a little more confidence and I now perform the way my director wants me to present my character. I feel acting is all about reacting,” he muses.

As a member of the ‘highest paid in the world’ club, the Petta actor jokes that he has to keep his energy up, “to justify the money” he is paid. He adds: “On a more serious note, I love acting and love being in front of the cameras. It boosts my energy. Also, I am very passionate about what I do,” he smiles.

Rajini also makes sure to keep a positive attitude, both on-screen and in real life. “My attitude on screen is the same as I have at home — I talk fast and I walk fast. Maybe, that is what my fans and the audience love. I have no particular style for the celluloid,” he shares.

Darbar, which also stars Suniel Shetty and Nayanthara, is all set to release on January 10 next year.