Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Amrish Puri Once Refused Rajinikanth, Then Made Nine Films
Rajeev Puri talked about stories involving his father, actor Amrish Puri.
He said Amrish once did not want to work with Rajinikanth.
Amrish felt Rajinikanth was acting as if he had too much power.
Rajinikanth later apologised to him.
After that, they worked together in nine movies.
One of those movies was Thalapathi.
Rajeev also said he did not believe a rumor that Amrish had slapped Govinda.
He said his father might become upset after repeated irritation, but would not normally slap someone.
Rajeev Puri said Amrish Puri once felt uncomfortable working with Rajinikanth after returning from Chennai.
Rajinikanth later apologised, and the actors eventually worked together in nine Hindi and Tamil films.
Their collaborations included Thalapathi, Andhaa Kaanoon, Geraftaar, Baba and several other films.
Rajeev Puri rejected rumors that his father slapped Govinda, saying Amrish Puri was not the type to do so.
He suggested Govinda may have stopped working with Amrish Puri after understanding that arriving late was inappropriate.
- Who
- Amrish Puri, Rajinikanth, Rajeev Puri and Govinda.
- What
- Rajeev Puri described Amrish Puri's initial refusal to work with Rajinikanth and denied a rumor that Amrish slapped Govinda.
- When
- The films were released between 1983 and 2002; the date of Rajeev Puri's podcast interview is not specified.
- Where
- The collaborations spanned Hindi and Tamil cinema; Rajeev said Amrish returned from Chennai before discussing the disagreement.
- Why
- Amrish reportedly felt uncomfortable because he believed Rajinikanth was throwing his weight around; Rajinikanth later apologised.
Reported Incident
Rajeev Puri's Denial
Whether Amrish Puri slapped Govinda
Reported Incident
A rumor, which Rajeev Puri said he had heard and read, claimed that Amrish Puri slapped Govinda.
Rajeev Puri's Denial
Rajeev Puri said the story was not true and that his father would not have behaved that way.
Why Govinda may not have worked with Amrish Puri again
Reported Incident
The reported incident was presented as a possible reason Govinda did not work with Amrish Puri in the future.
Rajeev Puri's Denial
Rajeev Puri suggested Govinda may instead have understood that arriving late was inappropriate, without holding objections against anyone.
- Amrish Puri and Rajinikanth collaborations
- Nine films across Hindi and South Indian cinema.
- First listed collaboration
- Andhaa Kaanoon (1983).
- Last listed collaboration
- Baba (2002).
- Other listed films
- Gangvaa, Geraftaar, Mahaguru, Asli Naqli, Dosti Dushman, Insaaf Kaun Karega and Thalapathi.
- Rajeev Puri's account
- He said Rajinikanth apologised after Amrish Puri initially declined to work with him.
- Slapping rumor
- Rajeev Puri said he did not believe Amrish Puri had slapped Govinda.