Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Shriya Saran recalls surprise co-star reveal at Sivaji launch
An actress named Shriya Saran told a fun story about how she got a big movie role.
The movie was called Sivaji: The Boss.
The director, S Shankar, called her and said she would be in a movie, but he kept everything a secret.
He didn't tell her who her co-star would be.
She went to Chennai for the movie's big launch event.
There, she saw many important people, including music composer A R Rahman.
Then Shankar surprised her by introducing her co-star, the famous actor Rajinikanth.
She was nervous to work with such a big star, so she asked to meet him before rehearsals.
She said Rajinikanth was kind, funny, and made everyone feel special and comfortable.
The movie came out in 2007 and was a big success.
Shriya Saran was cast in Sivaji: The Boss without knowing her co-star would be Rajinikanth.
She learned Rajinikanth was her co-star when S Shankar introduced them at the film's launch in Chennai.
Shriya said she asked to meet Rajinikanth before rehearsals because she feared she would be 'frozen' working with him.
She described Rajinikanth as down-to-earth, humorous, and respectful to everyone on set, including light boys and actors.
Released in 2007, Sivaji: The Boss starred Rajinikanth and Shriya Saran with music by A R Rahman and became a major commercial success.
- Who
- Actress Shriya Saran, actor Rajinikanth, and director S Shankar.
- What
- Shriya Saran recalled being surprised to discover Rajinikanth was her co-star at the launch of Sivaji: The Boss.
- When
- The film was launched and released in 2007; the recollection was shared in a recent conversation with Pinkvilla.
- Where
- Chennai, India.
- Why
- S Shankar had kept the film's details secret, revealing Rajinikanth's casting only at the formal announcement.
- Film
- Sivaji: The Boss
- Release year
- 2007
- Director
- S Shankar
- Lead actors
- Rajinikanth and Shriya Saran
- Music composer
- A R Rahman
- Launch location
- Chennai
- Outcome
- Major commercial success; milestone in Shriya Saran's career
- Shriya Saran's other credits
- Awarapan, Drishyam, Midnight's Children, RRR