Today is the 72nd birthday of Rajinikanth, the "Thalaivan" of not only Tamil cinema but also Indian cinema. Fans are also preparing to celebrate the birthday of the beloved hero. Rajini fans. Various social services and voluntary work will be done, including in Tamil Nadu. The hashtag #HBDSuperstarRajinikanth has already gone viral on Twitter. Jailer is Rajinikanth's next film. The film is being directed by Nelson.
In the history of Tamil cinema, no actor has had as much influence as Rajinikanth. If asked how a non-Tamil became a Tamil star, his fans would say, "That's Namma Rajini style." Rajini was born into a Maratha family that migrated to Nachikuppam, a small village on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border. They would later visit Tamil Nadu. The Rajinikanth actor has developed an insatiable passion for cinema and acting since childhood.
After completing his studies at Bangalore's Acharya Academy and Vivekananda Balak Sangh, Rajini travelled to Chennai with the desire to appear in films. But unable to find a job, he was forced to give up his passion for cinema and go back. The family's understanding that life would improve if their wandering son, who had a passion for cinema, got a job, led Rajini to work as a bus conductor. He started working for the Karnataka Transport Corporation. Despite this busy schedule, Rajini found time to act in plays. Later, even when he joined the Madras Film Institute to study acting, his family did not approve of Rajini's sincerity towards cinema. Although many tried to discourage him, he refused to give up. Because acting was his mission Rajini's big-screen debut was with Apoorvaragangal, directed by K Balachandran and released on August 18, 1975. Other actors in the film were Kamal Haasan, Jayasudha, and Srividya. Initially, moviegoers saw Rajini in villainous roles. But Kollywood also witnessed Rajini's growth as an actor in the 1980s. Rajini's first break was the film Netrikon, produced by Balachander himself. It was Balachander who changed his name from Shivaji Rao Gaikwad to Rajinikanth. If the eighties witnessed the rapid growth of Rajini's stardom, the Tamil screen of the nineties was a celebration of the superstar. Rajini's biggest hits of all time, like Thalapthi, Mannan, Pandian, Basha, Muthu, Padayappa, and Arunachalam, were released during this period. The Mani Ratnam film Thalapthi, released in 1991, was notable for the presence of Mammootty, Arvind Swamy, Shobhana, and others. Mannan, Basha, and Padayappa all created a festive atmosphere in the cinema halls. The film industry had reached a level where the name Rajini cannot be challenged. Rajini didn't limit his acting abilities to Tamil alone. Rajini also acted in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and Bengali films. Rajini appeared in Ivy Shashi's film Alavuddinum Albutha Vilakkum opposite Kamal Haasan in the villain role. Rajini also played the lead role in the Malayalam film Garjanam.
After 2002's Baba flopped at the box office, everyone judged Rajini's era to be over. But the film Chandramukhi, released three years later, changed that verdict. Chandramukhi left the theatre with great success. It was a remake of the all-time Malayalam hit film Manichithrathazhu. Later, Yanthiran, Kabali, Kaala, Petta, Darbar, and Annathe filled the theatres with Rajini fans. Tamil cinephiles have always admired Rajini, making the dialogues and styles of his films a part of their daily lives.
The country honoured Rajini with the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016. Rajinikanth has been selected as one of the most influential people in South Asia by Asia week magazine and as the most influential person in India by Forbes India magazine. Rajini also received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2021.
