Friends Forever!

Who is Superstar Rajnikanth's best friend in the industry? Those close to him, without blinking an eyelid would say – Mohan Babu, the Telugu star. They started their career together almost 33 years back in the then Madras, which was the centre of south Indian film production. They had an understanding that Rajni would concentrate on Tamil while Mohan would do Telugu films.

It worked perfectly as both made rapid strides in their respective careers, and became superstars. When they were in Madras, at the end of the day they used to compare notes and also work out strategies. Later Mohan Babu shifted to Hyderabad, as Telugu industry moved office to Andhra, but the friends kept each other posted about their career moves.

And on Thursday, November 22, 2007 Rajnikanth took the first available flight from Chennai to Hyderabad to be with his friend on an emotional and nostalgic day. November 22 marks the successful completion of 32 years in the film industry by Padma Shri Dr. M. Mohan Babu, as a Telugu film hero. He debuted with the Telugu film Swargam Narakam in 1975 on the same date, and Rajni had to be in Hyderabad to spend the day with his buddy. And whenever Rajni needed him, Mohan Babu came to Chennai by the next available flight.

Rajnikanth is one of the few actors who believe that those who stood with him during his early struggling days are his friends forever!