Why Rajinikanth Did Not Dub For Aamir Khan's Dangal

New Delhi: Aamir Khan's much anticipated wrestling drama Dangal is just days away, and not only for Bollywood aficionados. Now, fans down South will also enjoy Aamir's Dangal, for the movie will also be released in Tamil and Telugu. We are sure it would have been a lot more exciting with Rajinikanth voicing Aamir Khan's character in the Southern versions but unfortunately that is a lost idea now. In a recent interview with Indian Express, the 51-year-old actor admitted having approached the Southern megastar for dubbing. After a detailed discussion, both Aamir and Rajinikanth decided otherwise. But what happened? Hear from Aamir himself.

Aamir also said Rajinikanth encouraged Team Dangal ahead of its release and that the Thalaivar "loved" it. "Dangal is being dubbed in Tamil and Telugu. I did approach Rajini sir and he loved the film. After discussing with him both he and I felt that his voice is too recognisable. He is so popular that his voice won't suit my face. We both felt that. But he loved the film. He was very encouraging," Aamir told Indian Express.

Aamir stars in two versions of Haryanvi wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat in next week's Dangal - as younger, fit wrestling champion and a middle-aged father. Dangal is based on the true story of how the Phogat sisters were trained in wrestling by their father. Geeta Phogat was the first Indian female wrestler to win gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Her sister Babita kicked off with a silver medal at the same year, finally winning gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Earlier this month, a source close to Rajinikanth told IANS: "Aamir had screened the film for Rajinikanth sir and also requested him to dub for his character for the Tamil version of Dangal. Although moved by the film, Rajini sir politely turned down the offer."

Like most of his colleagues from Bollywood, Aamir admitted being a huge Rajinikanth fan and declared: "I would love to work with him. I am a big fan," Aamir told Indian Express.

The PK actor is an ardent follower of Rajinikanth's films and hoped to see the megastar make a comeback in Bollywood soon. "Whatever movie Rajini sir does, we do watch it be it Tamil or otherwise. Robot 2 is coming now which will be dubbed in Hindi I believe. I hope he returns to Hindi cinema one day," Aamir told Indian Express. Rajiniakanth and Aamir Khan co-starred in 1995's Aatank Hi Aatank, a film inspired by The Godfather.

Dangal marks Aamir's first film after his 2014 blockbuster PK. Aamir remained the subject of headlines for putting on 25 kilos to suit his character as the older version of the wrestler. He weighed 90 kgs at one point before losing the extra weight for his scenes as the younger Mahavir Phogat. A video of Aamir's 'fat to fit' transformation went viral some weeks ago.

Video: Watch Aamir Khan's 'fat to fit' transformation:
 

The younger versions of Geeta and Babita are portrayed by Zaira Wasim and Suhani Bhatnagar. Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh feature as grown-up Geeta and Babita in the Nitesh Tiwari-directed film. Actress Sakshi Tanwar is Aamir's onscreen wife in Dangal, which opens on December 23.

Meanwhile, Rajinikanth is busy with 2.0, a sequel to his 2010 hit Enthiran which released in Hindi as Robot. The superstar was last seen in mega-blockbuster Kabali.