Two years ago, the nation was talking about P Raj Bahadur, the man to whom superstar Rajinikanth dedicated his Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Back then, Rajinikanth said that Raj Bahadur had been a close friend of his right from the days he worked as a bus conductor. Before Bangalore Transport Service (BTC) was incorporated, Raj Bahadur worked there, and Rajinikanth was a conductor at the same time. Raj Bahadur reportedly recognised Rajinikanth’s talent and pushed him to try his luck as an actor.
After working as a bus driver for most of his life, Raj Bahadur is now making his debut in a Kannada film. The launch ceremony and press conference of the film Shivaji Bahadur, directed by Aaron Karthik, produced by Shivpurna and Muthuraj, starring Rajinikanth’s close friend Raj Bahadur, was held recently. Many dignitaries of Kannada cinema visited the event and wished the team well.
Speaking at the press conference, director Aaron Karthik said that Shivaji Bahadur encompasses two characters. Shivaji is the name of the character playing Prime Minister while Bahadur is the name of the character who is a Chief Minister. Only the voice of Shivaji’s character is heard in the movie. Director Aaron Karthik said that Raj Bahadur is playing the role of Bahadur. It is noteworthy that Rajinikanth’s real name is Shivaji Gaekwad and hence the film itself is a nod to the long-lasting friendship between Rajinikanth and Raj Bahadur. Aamir Khan’s brother Faisal Khan plays an antagonistic role in the film. Raj Bahadur has said that Rajinikanth is elated to know that his friend is working on a film and that he promised to come see the film in a special screening once it is completed.
After Rajinikanth dedicated the prestigious award to him, Raj Bahadur told the media that he met Shivaji Rao Gaekwad (Rajinikanth) in 1970 when he joined as a conductor. Raj Bahadur had joined as a driver.
He stated, “He had a spark, even though he was a conductor like many others,” as reported by Indian Express. “He would always play the lead role in the dramas that the employee association put on, and we used to watch him perform in them. He was a really talented actor. However, he had no desire to become an actor. I once told him he has all it takes to be an actor in motion pictures. Despite his lack of interest, I persuaded him to go to the movies.” Raj Bahadur retired as a driver in 2005 from BMTC.
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