The Ponniyin Selvan [2022] actor recalls the time when he and his friends were running inside the theatre and watched three successive shows of Aamir Khan’s Rangeela [1995].

By Mayur Lookhar

Director Mani Ratnam and his leading cast came down to Mumbai on 24 September to promote Ponniyin Selvan [2022]. South cinema has been the flavour for Hindi audiences. During the press oonference, team Ponniyin Selvan though was requested to recite any popular Hindi film dialogue. Chhiyan Vikram chose to sing Mere Jeevan Saathi from Kamal Haasan’s Satyam Shivam Sundaram [1978]. Jayram Ravi recited the short but very impactful Amrish Puri dialogue ‘Mogambo, khush hua’ from Mr.India [1987].  Karthi though chose the moment to recall his Rangeela [1995] experience.

“I’ve watched so many Hindi films during my college times. I clearly remember Rangeela [1995]. We went there to watch Tanha Tanha [popular song]. We were running inside the theatre. We had to be thrown out. But we got the tickets for the next shows and that is how we came back inside,” revealed Karthi.

“So, Tanha Tanha… you know Aamir sir in that, then A.R Rahman’s sir music,” [hums the melody of Kya Kare Ke Na Kare song]. He continues, “You never forget it. If you can play it, then I will go back to my college.”

Not wanting to disappointing the Hindi journalist, Karthi did recall Shashi Kapoor’s iconic dialogue from Deewar [1975] – ‘Mere pass maa hai’.

Aamir Khan enjoys pan India popularity, but having revealed about going crazy for Tanha Tanha, perhaps, one would have expected Karthi to also mention sexy siren Urmila Matondkar. The 90s actor had raised the mercury levels when she danced ona Mumbai beach wearing Jackie Shroff’s T-Shirt in the Tanha Tanha song.

Ponniyin Selvan [2022] is set to be released on 30 September in theatres.