For the first time in his career, Rajinikanth was cast in dual roles: the eponymous gangster and the street entertainer Rajappa. Although the film was a shot-for-shot adaptation of Don, Rajinikanth avoided aping Amitabh Bachchan, the lead actor of the original, and instead interpreted the roles in his own unique style.
In his first dual role, Rajinikanth played the titular gangster and entertainer Rajappa. Despite being a shot-for-shot adaptation of Don, he did not copy Amitabh Bachchan's performance style; rather, he brought his unique interpretation to the roles.