MUMBAI: Rajinikanth will fly down to Mumbai very shortly, probably within a week, specially to meet his friend, confidante and self-proclaimed inspiration Shatrughan Sinha.

The two stylized star-actors go back a long way and have kept tabs on one another’s health very closely during the period of their illness. They worked together only once 26 years ago in K C Bokadia’s Asli Naqli. The title is ironical because Shatrughan Sinha and Rajinikanth are seen by their respective fan clubs as spitting images of one another in terms of their acting style. Kaun asli kaun naqli depends entirely on whether the fan is from the North or South.

Ever since they came together to act in Asli Naqli Rajinikanth and Shatrughan Sinha have remained close friends, monitoring one another’s moves with brotherly care. In the past two years ever since Rajinikanth fell ill, the two supremos of stylized acting have been closely monitoring one another’s health.

Says a source close to Rajinikanth, “First, it was Rajini Sir who fell ill. Then Mr Sinha. Throughout one another’s hospitalization they’ve been keeping close bedside vigil by phone through the wives of the two stars.”

Rajinikanth has apparently gone many steps further than simple curious concern. Based on his own health history during his illness and healing he has given Shtarughan Sinha vital pointers on post-illness diet and regimen.

Says a source close to Shatrughan Sinha, “Since Shatruji’s hospitalization Rajini Sir has been religiously ringing up from Chennai and asking Mrs Shatrughan Sinha about his health. And it’s not just about the two actors being old colleagues and friends. Rajini Sir feels a close empathy for Mr Sinha because of their sudden health issues that landed them both in hospital.”

Now we hear Rajinikanth would be flying down to Mumbai in the next week or so to specially meet his asli-naqli friend.

Confirming their close affinity and the Southern icon’s very private proposed visit to Mumbai to spend time with his friend a source very close friend to Shatrughan Sinha said, “Both Rajini and Shatru are Sagittarians. Rajini calls Shatru his Guru becase Rajini watched all of Shatru’s films when Rajini was a newcomer. Rajini has watched Shatru in Rampur Ka Lakshman 36 times to get a full grip on the mannerisms and gestures of Shatru in the role. The two are very close to one another. Rajini was waiting for Shatru to come home from hospital. He will now be flying down to spend some time with the actor.”