From being a bus conductor to undisputed box office king: Celebrating Thalaivar Rajinikanth's 50 years of journey in Indian cinema
Rajinikanth
that the word 'Superstar' became a symbol in the history of Tamil cinema. He made his debut in the film industry in 1975 with the film 'Apoorva Ragangal' and has been living with the same sparkle in the hearts of fans for 50 years to date.
But this extraordinary journey began in an ordinary workplace. The story of Shivaji Rao, a young man who worked as a bus conductor in Bangalore, journeying from the khaki uniform to the golden throne of the film industry, is a no less than a film in itself.
Let's take a look at his cinematic achievements as the doyen celebrates 50 years of looming presence in
Indian cinema
Rajinikanth's unique sense of style
Scouted by the notable director K. Balachander, Rajinikanth played a small role in the film 'Apoorva Ragangal'. Over the next few years, he played villain and character roles in films like 'Mudraam Pirai', 'Aval Apol', and '16 Vayathinile'.
His unique style of acting, fast-paced dialogue delivery, 'style', cigarette rolling, glasses wearing, quickly captured the hearts of fans.
The rise of the mass hero - Rajinikanth
Rajinikanth saw a massive transformation in the 1980s. Films like 'Billa,' 'Murattu Kaalai,' and 'Dharmathin Thalaivan' transformed him into a mass hero. Since that time, most of the films he has starred in have been box office hits, creating a large fan base beyond Tamil Nadu, across India, and even abroad.
In the 1990s, films like 'Annamalai', 'Baasha,' and 'Muthu' coined the term 'Rajini Blockbuster.' His films were also released in countries like Japan, where 'Muthu' was a huge hit.
Rajinikanth's global reach & technological leaps
After 2000, Rajinikanth's career saw a huge growth in terms of technology and global reach. Films like 'Sivaji' and 'Enthiran' were some of the biggest productions in Indian cinema. '2.0' grossed over Rs. 800 crore worldwide, proving once again that he is a box office powerhouse.
Despite his increasing age, the edginess, power, and style he displays on screen have not diminished.
Adulation from the industry for Rajinikanth
"There is only one Superstar. The crown always belongs to him", said
Vijay
in a public event, when the junior actor was compared with the senior actor.
"One 'Coolie' is equal to a hundred Baashas... The real superstar is
Rajini
sir!," said Nagarjuna Akkineni at the 'Coolie' audio launch.
How Rajinikanth's magic continues to inspire generations
The release of 'Coolie' coincides with Thalaivar's 50 years in the industry. Rajinikanth is the only star who has been the face of Tamil cinema for 50 years and has not lost his magic even after the change of generations. His journey from bus conductor to global superstar teaches every dreamer the lesson of 'Dream it, work for it, and it will surely come true.'
#DarbarThiruvizhaJapan: Rajinikanth's cop drama sold out in Japan
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Coolie
and
War 2
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