The Superstar Rajinikanth we know of today is loved for his movies, style, roles, personality but most of all his incredible inspiring journey. A story that proves that one can take control of their life and change it ti the way they like and aspire. Rajini who we know as today was born in Bengaluru named after the famous Maratha Empire king Shivaji. He grew up speaking Marathi at home and Kannada.
His intrest in acting developed at a very young age when he fell in love with theater in school. His Mahabratham play at school is something he still looks back at. However post his school he had to take a number of petty jobs for survival. He has been a carpenter, a coolie and as we all know a bus conductor. He then decided to take up acting classes.
K Balachander, the director who has an uncanny knack of creating stars, first saw him at the film institute, where he was a student. Balachander observed him and asked him to meet him in his office the next day. When Rajnikant walked into his office gingerly, Balachander informed him he was going to act in his next film. Overwhelmed by the sudden offer from a big director, Rajnikant just could not believe his ears. It’s a feeling Rajni still recounts whenever in the mood of reminiscence.
Later, Balachander confided in his close friend and associate Ananthu, Watch out! There is a fire in the young man’s eyes. One day he will take Tamil Nadu by storm. How true the prediction turned out!
Interestingly, he made his acting debut with the Tamil film Apoorva Raagangal (1975), directed by K. Balachander. Since then, he was famously known by his screen name. With back to back hit films in the 80s, Rajinikanth became box office king and one of the biggest actors down South. After his debut film, legendary filmmaker K Balachander christened Shivaji Rao Gaekwad as Rajinikanth. Yes, and the rest is the history!
Rajinikanth has done numerous roles in his film career. From emotional films like
Moondru Mudichu and
Aaru Lerndhu Aruvadhu varai to entertaining mass entertaining films like
Enthiran and
Sivaji:The Boss, the actor’s versatility is impeccable. The Union Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted about the exciting news of Rajinikanth receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award this Thursday.“
Really happy that the jury unanimously chose the legendary @rajinikanth ji for the #DadaSahebPhalke award. My all-time favourite movie of Thalaiva is the 1992 Tamil classic Annamalai,” wrote Javdekar.
Following his tweet was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s. His tweet read, “Popular across generations, a body of work few can boast of, diverse roles and an endearing personality…that’s Shri @rajinikanth Ji for you. It is a matter of immense joy that Thalaiva has been conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Congratulations to him.”
To this, Rajinikanth responded, “My heartfelt thanks to the government of india, respected & dearest @narendramodi ji, @PrakashJavdekar ji and the jury for conferring upon me the prestigious #DadasahebPhalkeAward I sincerely dedicate it to all those who have been a part of my journey. Thanks to the almighty.”
On the professional front, Rajini is finishing up Siruthai Siva’s Annathae also starring Keerthy Suresh, Nayanthara, Meena and Khushbu Sundar in the lead.
