Date:09/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/09/stories/2007060919830200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Bus conductor to a superstar: tracing a reclusive journey

Staff Reporter

Devshetty Mahesh's book on Rajnikanth to be released on Sunday

BANGALORE: The stupendous transformation of bus conductor Shivaji Rao into superstar Rajnikanth still fascinates fans. But few are aware of the trials and tribulations the enigmatic actor had to go through to reach the dizzy heights in the celluloid world.

"Rajani," a collection of articles by Kannada film journalist Devshetty Mahesh, provides a rare insight into this former Bangalorean's life. What lends the book credibility is writer's painstaking effort in interacting with several friends and relatives of Shivaji Rao in both Bangalore and Chennai.

Struggle

Simultaneously, the book also reflects the struggle and self-belief of the writer as a rural boy in making something of his own life.

As a boy Devshetty used to gaze at cinema posters in his native Koppal.

Gradually, the fascination became an obsession.

As a cinema journalist Devshetty was not happy with routine assignments.

His curiosity about men and matters in the glitzy celluloid world led him to Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, and the actor's career path that took him from Bangalore to Chennai.

Compilation

The book is a compilation of many articles published in a Kannada daily that have been widely read and commented upon.

Published in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam, the book will be released in Banglaore on June 10 at S.J.R. Coll-ege, Anand Rao Circle, 10.30 a.m.