I've not imitated Rajini sir: Dhanush

Last week, Dhanush had a busy schedule in KL, Malaysia, where he was shooting a song for Hari���������s Venghai with Tamannaah.
But his mind was far away ��������� on a theatre in Chennai, where he was scheduled to be with his fans for the first-day-first-show of Mappillai on Friday. The star made it in the nick of time and had a blast watching the film. Speaking exclusively to TOI, Dhanush opens up about why he was keen to do the film, which is a remake of his father-in-law Rajinikanth���������s evergreen hit by the same name.
For the last few months, Mappillai must have been on the top of your mind...
First and foremost, my craze for films started after I became a fan of Superstar Rajinikanth. I used to see all his films first-day-first-show. I���������ve always wanted to do a remake of a landmark Rajini sir film. So, what better to remake than Mappillai, especially because it has real-life title value too!
But, people are bound to compare you with Rajinikanth...
I know I have a huge responsibility. Rajini sir is a living legend and I have to ensure that I live up to his reputation. It was a huge task but I���������m confident that I have done it to the best of my abilities.
So, it���������s a faithful remake of the original?
Well, it���������s a modern version and will suit today���������s audiences. I have not tried to imitate Rajini sir. Everything is new as I have tried to do the scenes in my own style, except for a few lines that I had to do for the requirements of the plot. There is no real punchline in the film but it will work due to its comedy and the upmanship for supremacy between my character and Manisha���������s.
How has Hansika���������s character shaped up?
She has done a neat job in the film. She looks very much like a young Khushbu! I���������m sure that Hansika has a very bright future ahead.
Has Rajinikanth seen his ���������mappillai��������� on screen in the film yet?
Not yet. He���������s very busy with Rana, but will surely watch the film later this week.
What are the projects that you are doing at the moment?
I have completed the entire shoot and songs of Hari���������s Venghai, which will be released in July. I had a blast doing the film, which is a typical Hari mass entertainer. I���������m starting the last schedule of Selvaraghavan���������s Irandam Ulagam from next week in Kannur (Kerala). It promises to be a very different romantic movie with a great twist. After that, I���������ll do a comic fantasy entertainer with Chimbudevan and that film will target children. I have a few other projects which are in the discussion stage.