Winners of the Made of Chennai campaign treated to ‘Coolie' movie
S. Vasanthi, one of the winners of the contest, said the online film quiz contest organised by The Hindu Made of Chennai campaign was a wonderful opportunity for several loyal readers to participate.
The Hindu Made of Chennai is presented by Casagrand and powered by SRM in association with Union Bank of India. Associate Partners: Tata Tea Chakra Gold, Tata Coffee, Hell Energy. Tourism sponsor: UP Tourism. Hydration partner: Parry Foods. The 40-day celebration is also done in partnership with Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, Greater Chennai Corporation, Greater Chennai Police, Greater Chennai Traffic Police and Namma Marina, Namma Pride. Radio Partners: Big FM, Fever FM and Radio On. Activewear partner: Technosport.
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India Today
26 minutes ago
- India Today
When did Rajinikanth become God? Chasing the man, the myth, the legend
On January 2, 2025, Karthik and his family entered the home of the man they call their Kula Deivam - their family deity. They visited his pooja room, received blessings, and were showered with gifts: a Babaji idol, a Raghavendra photo, a Padayappa statue, and new clothes. For Karthik, this was not a meeting with an actor. It was dharisanam (darshan).advertisementBut his reverence doesn't stop at Rajinikanth's home. Back at his place, his family has a temple where the actor is worshipped as a deity. He shared visuals of the pooja rituals - the aarti, the abdhishekam (abhishek), the offerings - conducted before Rajini's idol, as if he were a presiding God. A glimpse of the Rajinikanth Shloka that Karthik and others use to chant to pray to the Superstar: The Shloka is chanted in Tamil and refers to Rajinikanth as a black diamond (Karuppu Vairam), a stylish star (Style Mannan), a human God (Manidha Kadavul), a star who's everywhere (Engum Nirandhavare), and the had first discovered Rajinikanth in the 1986 film 'Maaveeran'. As a schoolboy, he was mesmerised by the hero's fierce dialogue: "Only humans feel pain, warriors don't." He would scribble the word 'Maaveeran' on his chest with a pen and strut about in a vest like his idol. Nearly four decades later, that schoolboy reverence has matured into devotion. "For me, he is my God, our Kulasamy, Deivam and everything," he story isn't an outlier. Across Tamil Nadu, Rajinikanth is not merely admired - he is worshipped. Fans have built temples for him, offered prayers before his film's release, and spoken of him in the same breath as mythological heroes. When did Rajinikanth stop being just a movie star, and become something far greater - a figure of divinity?THE MAKING OF A SUPERSTARTrade analyst Girish Johar traces Rajinikanth's stardom back to the late 1970s, but credits the 1980 thriller 'Billa' as the true turning point. A remake of Amitabh Bachchan's 'Don', the film transformed Rajinikanth into a stylish leading man with an aura of invincibility. "That was the one which gave him a lot of commercial success," Johar trade expert and former National Marketing Head at PVR Cinemas, Girish Wankhede agrees: "'Billa' catapulted him into the limelight. His versatility showed in 'Moondru Mugam', where he played a triple role, and soon after he was balancing Tamil hits with Hindi ventures like 'Andha Kanoon', 'Padikkadavan' and 'Geraftaar'." By the early 1990s, with Mani Ratnam's 'Thalapathi', Rajinikanth had cemented himself as a national perhaps no one saw it coming as clearly as Raj Bahadur, a bus driver and Rajinikanth's closest friend from his pre-film days. Director Suresh Krissna, who would later helm 'Annamalai' and 'Baashha' for the Superstar, recalls: 'Long before any of us saw it, Raj Bahadur had already spotted that spark. He believed his friend would one day become an invincible star. That belief was like planting a seed and what a mighty tree it has grown into."FROM STAR TO PHENOMENONWhat makes Rajinikanth more than just a successful actor?For Johar, the answer lies in his "etiquettes on screen, his style, his mannerisms - people love him every time he appears." Wankhede adds: "His iconic one-liners, his magnetic screen presence, and his unique blend of coolness and humility resonate deeply. He's also known for his generosity - even reimbursing distributors when films don't perform. That's why he's not just admired but revered."advertisementKrissna points to something deeper: the man behind the lives simply, treats everyone with respect, and never lets fame overshadow his humanity. Even recently, he spoke about his early days as a coolie, earning Rs 2. That's true humility - and fans worship not just the hero on screen, but the man they believe in off-screen. It's this seamless blend of reel charisma and real-life humility that transformed Rajinikanth into a phenomenon. Unlike most stars, his life story - bus conductor to global icon - became part of the legend itself, giving millions hope that dreams could come BARRIERSWhile Rajinikanth's roots are in Tamil cinema, his superstardom has always spilled across borders. In the 1980s and 1990s, his dubbed films and Hindi ventures gave him visibility in the North, even if primarily through television. But the real breakthrough came with 'Sivaji' (2007), dubbed in Hindi and becoming the first Tamil film to enter the Rs 100 crore 'Enthiran' ('Robot') and '2.0' made him a pan-Indian and even a global superstar. "Today his films open big, not just in India but in Malaysia, Singapore and beyond,' Wankhede points WORSHIPPER'S FAITHFor fans like Karthik, Rajinikanth's appeal goes beyond screen is very simple in real life. Without makeup, without a wig, he will come out in public. No actor in India can be like that. Just looking into his eyes gives positive energy. That "energy" is what turned admiration into worship. Karthik speaks of Rajini's countless charitable acts - funding marriages, paying student fees, donating silently to temples and schools. "What the world knows is only 1 per cent. The rest remains hidden because he doesn't publicise it. He believes in giving without seeking credit," he recalls a telling incident: when his family gifted Rajini a shawl, the Superstar allowed photographs. But when Rajini returned the gesture with silk sarees and dhotis, he refused the saying - let the left hand not know what the right hand is giving. I've read about Karna in the Mahabharata, but in real life I've seen Rajinikanth as Vallal - a true philanthropist. REINVENTING CINEMARajinikanth embodied superstardom but he reshaped Tamil cinema itself.'Before him, heroes could be charming or intense. Rajini sir made style itself a character,' says 'Baashha' director Krissna. 'The cigarette flips, the sunglasses, the pauses - they all became events. And the 'Superstar' title card itself became a brand. After 'Baashha', the idea of a powerful heroism song or logo became a trend every actor followed." Director Suresh Krissna with Rajinikanth on the sets of their 1994 film 'Veera' advertisementKrissna fondly recalls one moment from 'Baashha' sets. He asked Rajini to perform a scene "like Amitabh Bachchan," only to be teased mercilessly. "He laughed, hugged me, and then delivered the scene with such force it gave me goosebumps. Afterwards he asked, 'Was I good enough like Amitabh?' I told him, 'Sir, you were better.'"THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE GODRajinikanth remains what few actors ever become: an enduring cultural icon. Even as he enters his 50th year in cinema, he brings Lokesh Kanagaraj's 'Coolie' to theatres, providing joy and rewriting the grammar of stardom and history for Tamil cinema worldwide. For fans, watching his films is a festival. For filmmakers, his presence is both a dream and a challenge. And for Indian cinema, he is proof that a South Indian star could command global attention while staying rooted in language and the best way to understand his God-like status is to return to Karthik's words: "He is different from a normal man. There is a radiance, a thejas in his eyes. Just looking at him gives us energy. For me, he is not just an actor. He is our God."Rajinikanth's journey from a bus conductor to deity and from screen hero to household shrine doesn't seem like just cinema, it is bigger. It is mythology happening in real time. He could be an actor for some, an enigma for others, but for devotees like Karthik, he will always be God.- EndsTune InTrending Reel IN THIS STORY#Rajinikanth
News18
27 minutes ago
- News18
At 74, Rajinikanth's Gym Routine Breaks Myths About Age And Exercise
Last Updated: A video of Rajinikanth sweating it out with his fitness trainer is going viral on social media. The workout video serves as motivation for all ages. At 74, most people are expected to slow down, but superstar Rajinikanth continues to prove that age is just a number. Known for his larger-than-life screen presence, the veteran actor is now also making waves for his fitness discipline. A recent workout video of him has taken social media by storm, inspiring millions to rethink their own health goals. With his consistency, Rajinikanth has become a role model not just for movie buffs but also for fitness enthusiasts across generations. In the viral clip, Rajinikanth can be seen sweating it out at the gym under his trainer's supervision. He performs strength-based exercises with determination, reminding us that commitment to health and vitality should never be bound by age. Superstar workout 🏋️♂️❤️🔥 — AmuthaBharathi (@CinemaWithAB) August 15, 2025 What Rajinikanth's Routine Showed Us The video begins with Rajinikanth doing incline dumbbell presses on a bench, a move that targets the upper chest and builds arm strength. Later, he transitions into bench squats, a controlled form of squatting that improves leg strength and mobility while reducing pressure on the knees. Finally, he confidently flexes his biceps, showing off not just muscle but the spirit of discipline. His form and focus highlight how seniors, when guided correctly, can engage in strength training safely and reap long-term benefits. Why Incline Dumbbell Press Matters The incline dumbbell press is more than just a chest workout. Experts point out that it: For older adults, it can be a game-changer in maintaining upper-body strength, which is crucial for independence and balance. Rajinikanth's workout serves as a reminder that strength training isn't reserved for the young. As per health experts, moderate weight training in older adults helps combat muscle loss, improves bone density, enhances cardiovascular health, and boosts mental well-being. It's about adding life to years, not just years to life. Beyond the gym, Rajinikanth continues to shine in cinema, with his latest release Coolie making headlines. But it's his commitment to personal health that resonates the most. His journey shows that fitness is not about chasing youth. It's about embracing vitality at every stage of life. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India.com
34 minutes ago
- India.com
War 2 Box Office Collection Day 2: Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR's action-thriller beats Rajinikanth's Coolie, earns Rs...
War 2 Box Office Collection Day 2: Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, Kiara Advani's high-octane action film finally made it to the big screens on August 14. Helmed by Ayan Mukerji, the film had a decent double-digit opening. As per industry tracker Sacnilk, War 2 day 1 box office collection stood at Rs 51 crore. Following day 1, War 2 box office collection day 2 has been released, and the movie witnessed good growth and earned Rs 56 crore. War 2 Box Office Collection After opening on a modest note with around Rs 29 crore in the Hindi belt net on day one, War 2 witnessed a remarkable recovery in its Hindi version. Benefiting from the Independence Day holiday, the film registered a sharp 50 per cent jump in earnings on day two. With day 2's collection, War 2 total box office collection as of now stands at Rs 108 crore. Despite lukewarm reviews from critics and a mixed response from audiences online, the film's second-day performance has been highly impressive. Trade sources believe that the film can witness a good hike over the weekend, but 'if the movie manages to hold collection in the same range with marginal growth, it will give it a chance to perform during the weekdays, which needs to be seen.' War 2 vs Coolie The two massy action films — War 2 and Coolie — were released on the same date, and both have also entered the Rs 100 crore club. Since both films have the finest actors in them, it will be interesting to see who earns more compared to the other one. War 2 Movie Review War 2 movie review by reads, 'The plot of War 2 is painfully predictable, the VFX are subpar, and the dialogues often border on cringeworthy. Hrithik's much-hyped mass entry and a few well-executed action scenes are the only moments worth noting.'
