In 1975, a young Rajinikanth entered Indian cinema with K Balachander’s film Apoorva Raagangal. He was not a hero then, nor a superstar. He played a negative character, a flawed man who shocked the audience. At that time, no one knew he would later become the most celebrated star of Tamil cinema.
Rajinikanth at 50: Superstar Overshadowed the Actor
Rajinikanth’s early films showed his raw talent. In movies like Moondru Mudichu and Katha Sangama, he played cruel or villainous roles. But critics praised his performances, calling him powerful and natural. Even in negative roles, his unique style like the famous cigarette flip started making him popular with the masses.
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His big break as a hero came in 1978 with Bairavi. Huge cutouts were placed outside theaters, and people started calling him “Superstar.” From then, the image of Rajini the hero began to grow. Films like Billa, Mannan, and Baashha cemented his stardom. Audiences loved him as the larger-than-life mass hero who could fight dozens, deliver punch dialogues, and still make people laugh.
But in this process, the actor in him began to take a backseat. He was often offered roles that fit his superstar image, not ones that challenged his acting skills. A shining exception came in 1991 with Mani Ratnam’s Thalapathi. Playing a character inspired by Karna, Rajinikanth gave one of the finest performances of his career, even standing tall beside Mammootty. Many fans and critics still call it his best acting role.
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After Baashha, audiences wanted only the “mass hero” Rajini. Films like Muthu, Padayappa, and Enthiran made him a legend. Even his comebacks in the 2000s relied on commercial formulas. When he tried something different, like Pa Ranjith’s Kaala in 2018, the films did not succeed at the box office, pushing him back into familiar territory.
In recent years, Rajini has found a new style playing veteran “former tough guy” roles in films like Jailer, Vettaiyan, and Coolie. Though formulaic, these roles let him showcase glimpses of his old acting depth. In emotional moments, his eyes still reveal the performer he once was.
As Rajinikanth completes 50 years in cinema, fans celebrate both the actor and the superstar. While stardom overshadowed his pure acting talent, the hope remains that one day, Rajini the performer may return to shine fully on screen.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
