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Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From being a bus conductor to undisputed box office king: Celebrating Thalaivar Rajinikanth's 50 years of journey in Indian cinema
It is because of 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 "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
5 Rajinikanth Films To Watch As Legendary Actor Completes 50 Years In Cinema
Rajinikanth's debut in the entertainment world came with the film Apoorva Raagangal by K Balachander on August 15, 1975. It was in 1975 when Rajinikanth stepped into the world of cinema and took the entertainment industry by storm. His debut came with the film Apoorva Raagangal by K Balachander. While it wasn't a grand hero entry, something about him caught everyone's attention, and the rest is history. Through the late 70s and 80s, Rajinikanth rose to superstardom, expanding his reach into Hindi films and even Hollywood. Over the decades, he gave us unforgettable characters and became the legend that he is today. Even now, with his latest film Coolie, which has been released today in theatres, the superstar shows no signs of slowing down. As Rajinikanth completes five decades in films, here is a list of his films you absolutely must watch. Baasha (1995) For those who have never watched a Rajini film, Baasha is the film to start with. In the actioner drama, he plays an auto driver with a mysterious past, and what follows further in the plot is sure to give you goosebumps. The dialogues, the swagger, the style, everything about the film became iconic. Want proof? It ran in theatres for nearly 15 months. Sivaji: The Boss (2007) A perfect blend of action, humour, and style, this film was one of Rajinikanth's best works. As a software architect turned social campaigner, he takes on corruption in ways that will leave you hooked. With Shankar's grand direction and AR Rahman's unforgettable songs, this one also stars Shriya Sharan in the lead role. Kabali (2016) In the film, Rajinikanth plays an ageing gangster who has just been released from prison and is on a mission to reunite with his wife and daughter. Directed by Pa Ranjith, the film's star cast includes Radhika Apte as his wife Kumudhavalli, Dhansika, Dinesh Ravi and Winston Chao as the antagonist. Annamalai (1992) Directed by Suresh Krissna, the film was the Tamil remake of the 1987 Jeetendra starrer Khudgarz, which was further inspired by Jeffrey Archer's novel Kane and Abel. Featuring Sarath Babu as Ashok and Radha Ravi as his father, the movie became a massive box-office success, running for 175 days in theatres. FYI, it emerged as the highest-grossing Tamil film of its time, but the record was later broken by Baasha. Muthu (1995) Released in 1995 and directed by KS Ravikumar, Muthu featured Rajinikanth as a loyal servant whose life takes unexpected turns when secrets about his past are revealed. The film also stars Meena and Sarath Babu, with AR Rahman composing a chart-topping soundtrack that became a sensation. Interestingly, Muthu achieved cult status in Japan besides winning the hearts of the Tamil audience. view comments 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.
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Sivaji To Muthu: 5 Films To Watch If You Liked Rajinikanth's Coolie
Known for his electrifying action roles, Rajinikanth is back with another blockbuster, Coolie. Rajinikanth is back in action with his latest release, Coolie. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the film features a powerhouse cast that includes Nagarjuna Akkineni, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, Aamir Khan, Rachita Ram and Reba Monica John. The much-awaited movie has hit theatres today, August 14. If Coolie impressed you, here are five other Rajinikanth films you might want to add to your watchlist: Baasha Often hailed as one of Rajinikanth's defining films, Baasha tells the story of a modest auto driver with a concealed history as a feared underworld don. When fate forces him to face his past, the result is a mix of unforgettable dialogues and gripping action. Directed by Suresh Krissna in 1995, the film stars Nagma and Raghuvaran alongside a strong ensemble including Janagaraj, Devan and Vijayakumar. Muthu This 1995 all-round entertainer from K. S. Ravikumar pairs Rajinikanth with Meena in a tale of loyalty, love and rivalry. The plot revolves around a zamindar and his faithful aide, both unknowingly in love with the same woman, though her affection lies solely with the aide. Adapted from the Malayalam hit Thenmavin Kombath, Muthu ran for over 25 weeks and brought Rajinikanth multiple awards for his performance. Sivaji: The Boss Released in 2007, this political-action drama sees Rajinikanth playing a software tycoon who returns from the United States to offer free education and healthcare in India. His altruistic mission quickly attracts the wrath of corrupt politicians and powerful business rivals. Directed by S. Shankar and featuring A. R. Rahman's 100th musical score, the film set new benchmarks for production costs and box-office success. Enthiran (Robot) This 2010 sci-fi blockbuster casts Rajinikanth as both Dr. Vaseegaran, a brilliant scientist and Chitti, his highly advanced humanoid robot. When Chitti gains emotions through an upgrade, he falls for Vaseegaran's girlfriend, Sana and is manipulated into becoming a dangerous force. Directed by Shankar, the movie wowed audiences with its trailblazing special effects and grand-scale action. Thalapathi Mani Ratnam's 1991 masterpiece pairs Rajinikanth with Mammootty in a tale inspired by the legendary friendship of Karna and Duryodhana from the Mahabharata. The plot follows a fearless man from the slums who rises to become the confidant of a dreaded gangster, while a principled district collector works to stop them. Backed by Ilaiyaraaja's evocative music and Vaali's lyrics, the film remains a classic in Rajinikanth's career. view comments First Published: August 14, 2025, 10:52 IST 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.
The Hindu
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Did you know? Superstar Rajinikanth appeared in a French film in 2006
This article written by Usman Feroze appeared in The Hindu on 26-01-2007 When K Balachander cast a young bus conductor from Bangalore in an insignificant role in his 1975 film Apoorva Raagangal, the Tamil filmmaker told audiences to watch out for the 'fire in the actor's eyes.' Now, more than two decades later, the eyes of Rajinikanth have become the deciding factor for French actor-director Alain Chabat to 'cast' the superstar in his film. Chabat's top-grossing French comedy Prête-moi ta main (I Do) has Rajinikanth making an appearance in the form of a TV sequence showing a stunt scene from his 1995 film Muthu. 'Chabat decided in favour of Muthu, though he initially wanted to show a kung-fu sequence from a Chinese film. He was attracted by Rajinikanth's eyes,' says Etienee Dubaille of Chez Wam, the production company of Chabat. In the film, its heroine Emma, played by actor Charlotte Gainsbourg, is shown watching Muthu. She is asked, 'What are you watching?' to which she replies, 'Muthu, a cult Indian movie,' and adds when Rajinikanth's face appears, 'I love that scene!' In a live interview on the Internet, Chabat told a Tamilian living in France that Muthu was a 'very good movie ... Super, in one word!'
IOL News
07-08-2025
- IOL News
KwaZulu-Natal students awarded scholarships to study in India
The Consulate General of India, Durban hosted a meet and brief for the 13 selected students who will pursue studies at various universities in India under the India-South Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme (2025-2026) offered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India. A dozen ambitious students from KwaZulu-Natal are poised to kick-start their academic journeys in India, having been awarded prestigious scholarships from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). This year's selection sees 13 students embarking on an enriching educational experience intended to last several years in various fields of study. One of the scholarship recipients is Merushka Muthu, 19, who will be leaving at the end of August to Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi to pursue her studies in biomedical sciences. "I am looking forward to studying in India over the next four years. I have always been passionate about research and laboratory work. "I am grateful to the Indian Consulate and Indian government for this opportunity. I will encourage others to apply for the scholarships," said Muthu.
