No need to say the craze of ‘Thalaiva’ Rajinikanth. Not only in Tamil cinema but also in Indian cinema. If do through the history of Tamil cinema, it can be said that there is no actor who has made an impact like Rajinikanth. When asked how a non-Tamil became a Tamil star, his fans say, ‘That’s Namma Rajini style’. Rajini was born in a Maratha family who had migrated to Nachikuppam, a small village on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border. Later he came to Tamil Nadu. Rajinikanth has been passionate about cinema and acting since childhood.
After completing his studies at Acharya Academy and Vivekananda Balaka Sangha in Bangalore, Rajini moved to Chennai with the desire to act in films. But due to lack of opportunities, ‘I had to give up my passion for cinema and go back’. The family members thought that life would be better if their son, who was passionate about cinema, got a job, which made Rajini work as a bus conductor. Worked in Karnataka Transport Corporation. Despite such a busy schedule, Rajini found time to act in plays. Rajini’s sincerity towards cinema was not approved by his family even when he joined the Madras Film Institute for acting. Although many tried to discourage him, he refused to give up. Because acting was his one and only goal.
Rajini’s big screen debut was Apoorva Raagangal, directed by K Balachandran and released on 18 August 1975. The film also stars Kamal Haasan, Jayasudha and Srividya. Initially, moviegoers used to see Rajini in villainous roles. But in the 1980s, Rajini became an actor. Netrikan, produced by Balachander himself, was Rajini’s first break through. Balachander changed Shivajirao Gaikwad’s name to Rajinikanth.
Thalapathi , Mannan , Pandian, Baashha , Muthu, Padayappa and Arunachalam are all time hits in Rajini’s career. The film industry has reached a point where the name Rajini cannot be challenged. Rajini did not limit his acting skills only to Tamil. Rajini also acted in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Bengali films.
After 2002’s Baba was a box office flop, everyone judged the Rajini era to be over. But Chandramukhi, released three years later, changed that verdict. Chandramukhi got good success. It is a remake of the all-time Malayalam hit film Manichitrathajin. After that, Rajini impressed with the movies Yanthiran, Kabali, Kaala, Petta, Darbar and Annathe. Audiences have adopted the dialogues and styles of his films as part of their daily lives.
The country honored Rajini with Padma Bhushan in 2000 and Padma Vibhushan in 2016. Rajinikanth was named one of the most influential people in South Asia by Asiaweek magazine and the most influential person in India by Forbes India magazine. Rajini also received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2021. Hoping to entertain fans by receiving more awards and making good movies. Happy Birthday Thalaivaa..