Bestselling author Amish Tripathi, known for reimagining Indian mythology through modern storytelling, recently described one of the happiest moments of his life: meeting Superstar Rajinikanth. The occasion was the much-anticipated cover reveal of Amish’s latest book, The Chola Tigers: Avengers of Somnath, unveiled in July at a private ceremony in Chennai. To Amish’s delight, Rajinikanth himself did the honors.
For the author, the event was far more than a formal launch. It was deeply personal, tracing back to his childhood in Tamil Nadu during the 1980s, when he attended the Lawrence School in Ooty. “Those years made me the Rajinikanth fan I am today,” Amish shared. He recalled his first experience of watching a Rajinikanth film in Tamil, without even needing subtitles.
“There was this scene where a van full of gundas is speeding, suddenly a foot appears, kicks the van, and it goes flying back. The camera pans in and there’s Rajinikanth… everyone goes wooooow! Man, I loved it.”
Fast forward to July 2025, Amish finally met his childhood idol. What struck him most was Rajinikanth’s humility. “When we drove in, we assumed we’d have time, but he was waiting at the gate! He’s Rajinikanth! I was scrambling for my jacket, and he just said, relax, relax,” Amish recounted with a smile.
The true emotional high point came when Rajinikanth revealed he had read the Shiva Trilogy. “I told him, sir, I’ve been a fan of yours forever. And then he says, ‘Amish ji…’ I was like, you are Rajinikanth ji, please don’t call me Amish ji! He said he really loved my books. God! My life is made,” Amish said with joy.
About The Chola Tigers
Set in 1025 CE, the novel begins in the aftermath of Mahmud of Ghazni’s brutal raid on the Somnath temple. With the sacred Shiva Linga destroyed and thousands dead, a vow of vengeance is taken. Five extraordinary individuals, a Tamil warrior, a Gujarati merchant, a devotee of Lord Ayyappa, a scholar-emperor from Malwa, and Emperor Rajendra Chola himself, embark on a daring mission to strike at Ghazni’s stronghold.
Spanning the grandeur of the Chola Empire to the dangerous heart of Ghazni’s court, the book promises a tale of courage, unity, and retribution. In Amish’s words, it is a story where vengeance transforms into Dharma.
With Rajinikanth’s blessings and Amish’s signature storytelling, The Chola Tigers is set to be one of the most awaited historical fictions of the year.