Superstar Rajnikatha: At Event With Rajini, Arnie Says 'I'll be Back'

At Event With Rajini, Arnie Says 'I'll be Back'

By Express News Service

Published: 16th September 2014 06:06 AM

Last Updated: 16th September 2014 09:46 AM

Email5

• 
  (From left) Rajinikanth, director Shankar and Arnold Schwarzenegger during the ‘I’ audio launch, at Nehru stadium, in the city on Monday | express

CHENNAI: Every single fan of Arnold Schwarznegger knows him by his roles in the Terminator movies and his quintessential ‘I’ll be back’ punchline. When he repeated this to his adoring fans here on Monday, the jam-packed Nehru Stadium erupted into cheers.

And, that had been the norm for over four hours at the ‘I’ audio launch at the Nehru Stadium on Monday evening. From the minute fans started streaming into the stadium at 3.30 pm and row after row of celebrities walked in, all to tumultuous applause, the stadium was filled with the constant roar of fans.

From 40-year-old Rajini fans to 16-year-olds in awe of Schwarznegger, the stadium was filled with fans of every description. But they all had one thing in common. They were here to see two box office juggernauts on stage together.

But on that wish, fans were destined to be disappointed. Even as the show started with superstar Rajinikanth walking in to deafening roars, followed by director Shankar and A R Rahman, the atmosphere had reached an electric pitch. And then in a mindblowing throwback to the nineties, Arnold Schwar-znegger walked in to the Terminator theme, shook hands with Rajini and 6,000 fans lost their minds.

Also Read: Terminator Gushes Over Meeting with CM

But while Arnold played to the crowd with a charming acknowledgement saying, “Without them, we would not have successful movies. It feels really good to be sitting here with some of the most talented persons in the world,” there wasn’t enough of what the people had come in to see.

Even as a series ‘I’s songs sung by ARR, Anirudh and Haricharan were aired, as Vikram and Amy Jackson gave a dance performance, there wasn’t much going on between the two men.

The show though heated up with the body building performance that was featured for Arnold. He pointed out that the show had taken him back to his old days and it was things like these that had given him his break. “So thank you Shankar, for employing these body builders,” he said and then playfully added, “But what about me? I flew all this way to come to a job interview. I want to do an interview with you.”

Also Read: Arnold Schwarzenegger Meets Jayalalithaa

But conspicuously, Schwarznegger did not mention Rajinikanth in his speech. And he did not stay for the audio launch. A thing that most fans had been waiting to see.

And for his part, Rajinikanth did not mention Arnold at all. “This event doesn’t seem like an audio launch. It seems like a platinum jubilee celebration,” said Rajinikanth. He went on to appreciate the Vikram and Shankar for a brilliant effort.

But while fans were happy at seeing both their idols on one dais, the fact that both of them chose to ignore each other was a dampener on the evening. “It was awesome. But I wish Arnold and Thalaivar had got on stage together. It was disappointing,” he said.