Kamal Haasan confirms reuniting with Rajinikanth on screen after 46 years

Indian cinema is set to witness history — the biggest news of the decade, about a pairing that could set all box office records on fire, is here. After weeks of speculation, legendary actor Kamal Haasan on Sunday (September 7) confirmed that he will reunite with superstar Rajinikanth on screen after 46 years in an upcoming film.

The actor announced the news while speaking at the NEXA SIIMA Awards 2025 event in Dubai. When actor-comedian Sathish, the anchor of the event, asked Kamal if the speculations were true, the veteran actor confirmed the same, stating. “We were united long ago, but chose to remain apart because they kept splitting a biscuit and giving us only half each. We wanted a full biscuit each, and we got it and relished it well. Now we are content with just half a biscuit again, so we have come together.”

The Thug Life star then said that the competition between him and Rajinikanth was created by the audience and that they never looked at it as competition. “That we got such opportunities is a huge deal. We had decided long ago to be like this and to set an example. That’s how he has been, and that’s how I have been. So while this reunion might be surprising business-wise, we aren’t that surprised. We are just glad that something that was supposed to happen a long time ago is happening now,” added the actor.

While other details regarding the project aren’t available at the moment, speculations are rife that filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj, who helmed Rajini in his latest film Coolieand Kamal in 2022’s Vikram, is directing the film.

This is the news that fans of the two stalwarts have been waiting for over four decades. The two veterans, both of whom started their journey as lead actors in the 1970s under their mentor, the late legendary K Balachander, starred together in innumerable films like Apoorva Raagangal, Moondru Mudichu, Anthuleni Katha, Avargal, 16 Vayathinile, Aadu Puli Aattam, Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu, Thappu Thalangal, Aval Appadithaan, Thaayillamal Naan Illai, and Ninaithale Inikkum. 1979’s Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum was the last film that featured both the actors in lead roles (many films, like Saranam Ayyappa, Thillu Mullu, and Geraftaar, also featured both the actors, with one or both of them playing guest role).

That the two are reuniting — and that it might be under Lokesh’s direction — has created a frenzy among Tamil cinema fans. Lokesh is arguably the apt choice for the project since he has shown a knack for multi-starrers. Interestingly, fans of Lokesh may not be as surprised about this development. In an earlier interview, the Kaithi-maker had revealed that he was supposed to direct Rajini for a film produced by Kamal, before the COVID-19 pandemic played spoilsport.

However, Lokesh has on many occasions expressed his desire to direct both the stalwarts. In a press conference while promoting Vikram, Kamal revealed that he has always been ready to act with Rajini, and he would be willing to do one such project under Lokesh’s direction if they are game for it as well.