Superstar Rajinikanth, a name synonymous with excellence in Indian cinema, celebrates his 73rd birthday. Renowned for his unique style, dynamic presence on screen, iconic dialogue delivery, and down-to-earth persona, Rajinikanth has amassed a global fan base. Despite newer stars emerging, he remains an undisputed icon in Kollywood since his debut in 1975. On this occasion, here are nine lesser-known facts about the legendary ‘Thalaivar’:
1. Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, he was named after Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji. Growing up, he learned Marathi and Kannada. His proficiency in Tamil developed during his time at the Madras Film Institute.
2. Before entering the acting world, Rajinikanth worked as a coolie, carpenter, and bus conductor, showcasing his diverse professional background.
3. Across 48 years, Rajinikanth has appeared in a staggering 169 movies, showcasing his prolific career in the film industry.
4. Amitabh Bachchan, the Bollywood superstar, served as Rajinikanth’s inspiration. He starred in nearly a dozen Tamil remakes of Amitabh Bachchan’s films.
5. Though recognized for heroic roles, Rajinikanth initially began his career with anti-hero characters, highlighting his versatility as an actor.
6. Rajinikanth holds the distinction of being the sole Indian actor featured in the CBSE syllabus, in a lesson titled ‘From Bus Conductor to Superstar.’
7. He stands as the first Indian actor to have worked across various cinematic technologies, including black and white, color, 3D, and motion capture.
8. His film ‘Enthiran’ made history by being the only Tamil film listed in IMDb’s Top 50 films globally in 2010, showcasing his international acclaim.
These fascinating facts encapsulate the illustrious journey of Rajinikanth, a true icon in Indian cinema whose impact extends far beyond the boundaries of the silver screen.
