Annaatthe directed by Siva featured Tamil superstar Rajinikanth in a rural backdrop after a long hiatus. Released during Diwali 2021, the film had an ensemble cast, including Nayanthara, Keerthy Suresh, Khushbu, Meena, Soori, Prakash Raj, Jagapathi Babu, and Abhimanyu Singh. While the movie created high expectations, actress Khushbu’s recent comments about her role have sparked discussions.
In a candid interview, Khushbu revealed her dissatisfaction with her character in Annaatthe. When asked if there were roles she regretted taking in her career, she admitted that there were several films in the South Indian industry that she felt weren’t worth doing. She specifically mentioned Annaatthe as an example.
Khushbu shared that she was initially promised a significant role, paired alongside Rajinikanth as his counterpart. However, as filming progressed, she realized her character did not align with what was originally communicated. “What was told to me and what finally came out were vastly different. Meena and I were told we would have important, heroine-like roles, full of charm and humor. But as the movie developed, Rajinikanth had another lead heroine, and our roles turned into mere caricatures,” she said.
The actress added that she felt disheartened while watching the film during the dubbing process. However, she clarified that the changes in her role were not Rajinikanth’s doing. “He’s not someone who would interfere like that. I’ve known him for years, and he’s a very genuine person. It might have been a decision by the director or producer to cater to the audience’s preferences,” Khushbu explained.
Khushbu also revealed that both she and Meena had duet songs with Rajinikanth in the film, which were eventually overshadowed. She acknowledged that similar scenarios, where other actresses receive less attention due to the prominence of a star like Nayanthara, are not uncommon in the industry. However, she concluded by saying, “In the case of Annaatthe, the film didn’t meet expectations overall, so it wasn’t just about our roles. Whether the changes were made due to audience demands or creative decisions, I’ve moved on from it.”
This isn’t the first time Khushbu and Meena have shared the screen with Rajinikanth, having previously delivered hits as his co-stars. Despite the setback, Khushbu remains focused on her career and continues to be a cherished figure in the industry.
