Longevity in cinema is rare. For Rajinikanth, it’s not just about surviving—it’s about ruling. In five decades and over 170 films, the 74-year-old has turned theatres into temples and audiences into devotees.
Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, he debuted in 1975 with Apoorva Raagangal. From then, his rise was meteoric—first as a bus conductor-turned-actor, later as the superstar whose cigarette flips, swagger, and one-liners became iconic. His story is pure rags-to-riches: from poverty to winning the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and Padma Vibhushan.
His latest film, Coolie, released on 14 August, mirrors that journey—a working-class hero taking on the powerful. The frenzy around the release proves his fandom is unlike any other. From temples built in his name to milk poured over his cutouts, Rajinikanth’s following is devotion bordering on worship.
Critics once labelled him a mere “Style King.” But his enduring appeal lies in embodying the underdog’s dream—beating odds without losing humanity. His reach stretches beyond Tamil Nadu, to Bollywood, to Japan, where Muthu became a cultural phenomenon.
Unlike peers who plunged into politics, Rajinikanth has remained a moral compass rather than a politician. His fan clubs double as community service hubs, organising blood donation drives and relief efforts in his name.
Film historian Theodore Baskaran notes Tamil cinema’s greatest stars are like folk deities. Few embody that truth as Rajinikanth does. Fifty years on, he remains what his fans see him as: not just a star, but a demigod who adds magic to their lives.
