Starting their journeys in the mid-1970s, Ilaiyaraaja, the legendary music maestro, and Superstar Rajinikanth have been pillars of Tamil cinema, growing together in an era that shaped the industry forever. With Ilaiyaraaja’s debut in Annakili (1976) and Rajinikanth’s in Apoorva Raagangal (1975), the duo has teamed up time and again, creating unforgettable cinematic moments through powerful music and performances.
Recently, during a grand event organised by the Tamil Nadu government to celebrate Ilaiyaraaja’s remarkable 50 years in cinema, Rajinikanth shared heartfelt reflections on this extraordinary journey.
Speaking with great admiration, Rajinikanth called Ilaiyaraaja the “Isaignani” — a genius who exists in a world of music completely his own. He pointed out how the maestro’s presence has remained solid despite the arrival of new talents like AR Rahman, who quickly captured the hearts of filmmakers and artistes.
Rajinikanth remarked, “If you face success alone, you won’t realise its greatness. Failure should also come once in a while. Failures are like speed bumps.”
He went on to describe the challenge Ilaiyaraaja faced when another composer entered the industry: “While Ilaiyaraaja was reigning supreme, another composer entered the scene. Filmmakers gradually began making a beeline for him. Even those directors and producers who earned lakhs and crores through Ilaiyaraaja’s songs started choosing this new composer.
Artistes, including Rajinikanth, also began moving in that direction. But none of it shook Ilaiyaraaja.”
Rajinikanth’s words captured the essence of Ilaiyaraaja’s unshakable dedication. “Every morning at 6.30 am, a car left T Nagar for Prasad Studios. That harmonium kept playing, and the recordings continued,” he recalled.
This routine persisted through devastating personal losses — the passing of Ilaiyaraaja’s brother RD Bhaskar, his beloved wife Jeeva, and later his daughter Bhavatharini, whose very presence used to brighten the maestro’s world. Rajinikanth reflected, “His world is totally different from ours. He lives in the world of music and simply visits ours once in a while.”