Rajnikanth’s On-Screen Pet Dog in Kaala Now Worth Rs 2 Crore!

Director Pa Ranjith auditioned at least 30 dogs before zeroing in on Mani for his upcoming film ‘Kaala’.

Rajnikanth with his on-screen pet dog Mani in upcoming gangster flick, Kaala.

(Photo: Kaala official poster)

Every dog has his day. And boy, that day is here for Mani, an Indian pariah dog who is all set to make his film debut next to Rajinikanth!

Mani, who plays Superstar Rajnikanth’s pet in his upcoming gangster movie ‘Kaala’ is worth Rs 2 crore, reported The Indian Express, quoting Simon, Mani’s owner who lives in Chennai.

As per TIE, the movie’s director Pa Ranjith auditioned at least 30 dogs before zeroing-in on Mani.

Simon says the dog was fondly called Biscuit Mani on the sets of Kaala because of how accustomed he got of being fed biscuits by thalaivar, The Indian Express reported.

Mani has worked with Rajinikanth sir throughout the film. You see his work in the film. On Rajinikanth sir’s command, he will jump into the jeep and sit.

Simon told a Tamil publication

Quoting Simon’s account in a Tamil publication, TIE said that when Simon adopted Mani from the streets, he was scared and tried to bite him, but has now become a friendly dog.

Simon, who trained Mani for Kaala, is not interested in selling him. He told the Tamil publication, “When people come asking for Mani, I tell them that he is like family. Money is not important to me. When I wake up, the first thing I look at is Mani’s face. How can I give him away?”

With four other films in his kitty, Mani’s life has taken quite a few turns since Kaala, reported Business Standard.

Kaala, Ranjith’s second outing with Rajnikath after last year’s Kabali, is scheduled to be released worldwide on 7 June. The gangster flick, set in the backdrop of Mumbai’s Dharavi, is produced by Dhanush has an ensemble cast including Nana Patekar, Samuthirakani, Huma Qureshi and Eashwari Rao.