Panchali Gupta (right) with Kangana Ranaut. A file picture

Guwahati, June 19: Petite model-turned-actor Panchali Gupta has a crush on southern superstar Rajinikanth.

So much so that she is desperate to marry the phenomenon. But the wedding with the macho man had to be cancelled at the last moment because there was a “twist” in the tale.

Before you start reading between the lines, sniff the air about a possible romance between the ageing actor and the beautiful model, let us assure you the “tale” is nothing but Rajinikanth’s latest release Sivaji: The Boss, in which Panchali plays a cameo.

As fans of Rajinikanth — from politicians to paupers across India and elsewhere — are going gaga over the film, Panchali cannot help but gush over “humility” of India's highest-paid actor.

Yes, the most expensive film made in the country till date has an Assam connection: Panchali features in the film. “It is a huge, huge honour for me to rub shoulders with the biggest hero of Indian cinema. Though my role is a cameo, I gave it my best shot. The joy of working with Rajinikanth is beyond words. He is a humble man and is quite well behaved even with a newcomer like me,” Panchali told The Telegraph at her residence here. She is currently taking a break after the grind of shooting for Sivaji. The film was released worldwide on Friday.

Such is the hype created by the film that apart from his Rajinikanth’s die-hard fans, politicians, too, are making a dash for the nearest theatres.

From Tamil Nadu chief minister Karunanidhi to Opposition leader Jayalalithaa and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, all have seen the film in the first week of its release.

“My character is Bibhuti and she is madly in love with Rajinikanth's character Sivaji in the film and wants to marry him,” she said. Panchali added that she felt blessed to have done the “small yet pivotal” role.

“S. Shankar, the director of the film, took my screen test and selected me. I am quite elated that the film is doing roaring business across the world,” smiled Panchali.

Along with Rajinikanth, the film stars Shriya Saran, Vivek and Suman in the lead roles with Nayantara, Manivannan, Raghuvaran and Shankar himself in other pivotal roles. The movie has also been dubbed in Telugu. The film’s score and soundtrack is by A.R. Rahman.

Sivaji is by far the most expensive production in the history of Indian cinema: costing nearly Rs 80 crore, excluding Rajinikanth’s fee of Rs 16 crore. Along with the hero’s usual stunts, the director of the film has also used some special effects with the help of latest three-dimensional technology.

The success of the film has also ensured that Panchali becomes a part and parcel of the South Indian film industry. “I have got a few offers from both South India and Bollywood. I am currently in talks with Madhur Bhandarkar for his next venture. Let’s see how things work out,” she said.

Panchali, after a successful stint as a model in Assam, shifted base to Mumbai. She has also done a cameo for Suniel Darshan's Shakalaka Boom Boom and played a meaty role in the Indo-American venture Rocking Meera, directed by Pradip. The film is a comic riot and is currently doing the rounds of the international film festivals before its July release in India.