Rajinikanth & Dharmendra Movies Together List — 4 Films

The shape of the work

The 1980s belonged to Insaaf Kaun Karega; the 1990s to Tyaagi. Rajinikanth acted in every film; Dharmendra acted in all of them. Strictly Hindi cinema — they never crossed industries together.

Partnership facts

• Dharmendra personally requested Rajinikanth for 'Insaaf Kaun Karega' (1984) after seeing his Tamil stardom. Rajini was hesitant about Hindi films, but Dharmendra promised him a solid role and even adjusted his own screen time to make space.
• On the sets of 'Tyaagi' (1992), Dharmendra would deliberately slow down his dialogue delivery so Rajinikanth's Hindi lines didn't feel rushed. Rajini later said that gesture taught him how to breathe between punches and punchlines.
• Between takes of 'Insaaf Kaun Karega' (1987), the two would sneak off to a local dhaba near the Film City set. Dharmendra always ordered the same thing — butter chicken and rumali roti — and insisted Rajini try it. Rajini hated the grease but never said no.
• Rajinikanth once told a journalist: 'Dharmendra ji is the only co-star who made me feel like I was the hero of the film even when I was playing second lead. He gave me the frame.'
• Their pairing in 'Insaaf Kaun Karega' (1984) directly led to the 1987 version — same title, same leads — because the first one's action sequences were so well-received that the producer greenlit a spiritual sequel with a bigger budget.