There is much anticipation around Rajinikanth’s next, the working title of which is Thalaivar 170, as it reunites him with Amitabh Bachchan 32 years after Hum (1991). On October 18, Bachchan began shooting for the film in Mumbai. However, last week, the megastar injured his right hand while shooting for TJ Gnanavel’s directorial venture. On hearing this, actor Ali Khan—who shared screen space with him in Khuda Gawah (1992) and Kohram (1999) —rushed to the Versova set to meet his long-time friend.

“On October 28, I went to Khoja Bungalow to meet him. He was very happy to see that I came to visit him after his injury. Even today, he is as warm and affectionate as he was the first time I met him,” says Khan.

The actor, recently seen in Gadar 2: The Katha Continues, says Bachchan was the inspiration behind his foray into Hindi movies. “I became an actor only because of Bachchan saab. While in college, I remember going to the set of Kasme Vaade [1975] and meeting him for the first time.”

Little did Khan know then that he would work with the legend some day, and even count him among his friends. “My big break was in Khuda Gawah. From then, our long association began. Throughout the pandemic, he kept asking about my family as my wife had passed away due to COVID. When I met him this time, he blessed my grandson.”