Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to Thalaiva
One of the greatest actors Indian cinema has ever produced, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth continues to remain larger than life to his fans as he turns 64.
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Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaOne of the greatest actors Indian cinema has ever produced, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth continues to remain larger than life to his fans as he turns 64. This year, he has two films out - the animated Kochadaiiyaan and action film Lingaa, which releases today on his birthday.
Here's a pictorial look at his journey on his 64th birthday. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaThe cash-strapped Gaekwads struggled financially when Rajinikanth was young. He earned an income in several small jobs in Bangalore and Chennai, including as a coolie, before ending up as a bus conductor with the Bangalore Transport Service. He also appeared in local stage plays, most notably as Duryodhan. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaWhile working as a bus conductor, his charisma and style were noted by passengers who suggested he become an actor. A friend helped him out financially and Rajinikanth joined the Madras Film Institute in 1974. The Kannada-speaking Rajinikanth also learnt to speak Tamil, a move that was to pay rich dividends. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaThe rich dividends started with Rajinikanth's very first film which was in Tamil. He was cast in a supporting role, debuting as an abusive husband in Apoorva Raagangal in 1975. The film was directed by K Balachander, who Rajinikanth refers to as his "guru" or mentor. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaThe following year, Rajinikanth acted in his first Kannada film, Katha Sangama, directed by Puttanna Kanagal. Though Rajinikanth considers director K Balachander his mentor, it was director S P Muthuraman who actually revamped Rajinikanth's image. Muthuraman next cast him in the experimental Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri (1977) as a villain in the first half of the film and a protagonist in the second. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaThese films were the turning points in Rajinikanth's career; he changed from an actor who merely enthralled the audience to one who could also evoke emotions. Between 1975 and 1977, he was also frequently cast as the villain with Kamal Haasan playing the hero in movies like 16 Vayadhinilae, Moondru Mudichu and Avargal. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaThen came a phase when Rajinikanth abruptly chose to quit acting, but then was coaxed back by family, friends and fans. He continued acting with the blockbuster Tamil film Billa (1980), which was a remake of Big B's superhit film Don (1978). With its phenomenal success, Rajinikanth was accepted as a full-fledged hero. Billa was followed by a row of hits, namely Murattu Kaalai (1980), Pokkiri Raja (1982), Thanikattu Raja (1982), Naan Mahaan Alla (1984), Pudukavithai (1982) and Moondru Mugam (1983). -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaHe acted in his first cameo role alongside child actor Meena Durairaj in the movie Anbulla Rajinikanth (1984). More box-office hits dominated the 1980's with Padikkathavan, Thee, Velaikaran, Dharmathin Thalaivan, Mr Bharath and Maaveeran. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaRajinikanth made his Bollywood debut with Andha Kanoon (1983) but the film didn't do well at the box office. Despite his Bollywood debacle, he was seen in several Hindi films, including Chaalbaaz (1989), Uttar Dakshin (1987), Geraftaar (1985) and the famous Hum (1991) opposite Amitabh Bachchan. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaThe movies released during the '90s included Thalapathy, Mannan, Annamalai, Uzhaippali, Veera, Muthu, Arunachalam and Padayappa. Rajinikanth wrote his first screenplay and made a special appearance in the film Valli (1993). His film Baashha was released in 1995. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaNext came the blockbuster Endhiran (2010) opposite Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, made at a whopping cost of Rs 200 crore. The film collected Rs 117 crore in the first seven days, even surpassing the first-week collection of Bollywood's highest first-week grosser, Dabangg (Rs 82 crore) in 2010. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaRajinikanth also received Tamil Nadu State Film Awards in the Best Actor category for his roles in Muthu (1995), Padayappa (1999), Chandramukhi (2005), and Sivaji (2007). He also received numerous awards from Cinema Express and Filmfans' Association for his on-screen performances and off-screen contributions in writing and producing.
The superstar was named the Entertainer of the Decade at the NDTV Indian of the Year 2010 Awards. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaOn the personal front, the superstar was 31 when he married Latha on February 26, 1981, in Tirupati. The couple have two daughters. Elder daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth is married to actor Dhanush and made her directorial debut with 3.
Younger daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth works in the film industry as a director, producer and graphic designer. She has also directed her father's release Kochadaiiyaan . Soundarya is married to industrialist Ashwin Ramkumar. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaWhile all appears to be going well for the superstar at present, things were not quite so smooth in 2011 when the star was put out of action by a respiratory illness. He was flown to Singapore for treatment, returning a month later. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaAfter his illness, Rajinikanth made his first public appearance in 2012 to watch actor and dramatist Y G Mahendran's play in Chennai. Since his illness, Rajinikanth has kept a low-profile and, as revealed by elder daughter Aishwarya, spends his time with his grandsons Yathra and Linga. -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaWhile on the sabbatical, Rajinikanth also agreed to do a very special cameo in RA.One (2011), Shah Rukh Khan's ambitious sci-fi flick. He was seen as Chitti, the role made famous by him in his own sci-fi blockbuster, Endhiran. When he dropped by the sets of RA.One with his daughter Soundarya, SRK had tweeted: "RA.One completed today. Rajini sir blessed it. Have tears in my eyes of gratitude and only prayers and love for his whole family. You complete us sir." -
Rajinikanth@64: A Tribute to ThalaivaAs of today, Rajinikanth is back on screen, raring to go, in the action film Lingaa, which is directed by KS Ravi Kumar. The film also stars actresses Sonakshi Sinha and Anushka Shetty.
Here's wishing Rajinikanth a very happy birthday and a great year ahead.
