As superstar Rajinikanth's Baba will be re-released in theatres today, theatre veteran Shivaprasadh shared how Chennai's Kalikambal temple became the setting for the film. The film will release in a re-edited and remastered version. One of the film's highlights is the set of Chennai's Kalikambal Temple. The temple forms the backdrop for the film's story.
Theatre veteran Shivaprasadh shared the story behind how the temple came to be part of the film, directed by Suresh Krissna. He shares, "Hindi director S Ramanathan was my neighbor. And narrated the following sequence of events to me one day. Some time in early 2002, Ramanathan, who had produced Geraftaar (Hindi) and Dharma Durai (Tamil) with Rajinikanth. He once called Rajinikanth and asked if he would like to visit a 500-year-old Kali temple. Chatrapati Shivaji had visited the temple once."
"The fact that Chatrapati Shivaji had visited the temple aroused Rajinikanth’s curiosity, and he jumped at the idea. Ramanathan spoke to the main priest, and arrangements were in place for Rajinikanth’s visit. He snuck into the temple through the crowded streets of Parry’s. Once inside, there was a special puja. And Rajinikanth sat inside and meditated for 20 minutes. When he came out, he told Raamanathan that he felt rejuvenated by the vibrations in the temple. By the time he came out, word had spread in the surrounding area about his visit. A huge crowd thronged the temple," he continued.
"With great difficulty, Rajinikanth ‘slipped’ out of the temple. The next day, Rajinikanth revealed to Ramanathan that he had decided to use the Kalikambal temple as the main setting in Baba. That’s how Kalikambal temple became an integral part of Baba. A replica of the temple, both interior, and exterior was set up as a huge set by art director GK," concludes Shivaprasadh.
