Happy Birthday Rajinikanth! The Lesser-Known Facts Of Thalaivar’s Journey

The way he walks, talks, smiles, lights his cigar, and dons his sunglasses - every move is iconic. When Rajinikanth makes his entry on screen, the frenzy in theatres is undeniable. And we surely can't blame them, such is his aura and style that captures the hearts of millions. As we celebrate Rajinikanth's 74th birthday, let's explore some lesser-known facts about the man behind the legend.

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A Humble Beginning

Before donning the superstar cape, Rajinikanth worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation. He also took up odd jobs and worked as a coolie and carpenter to make ends meet.

Early Loss

Life wasn't easy for the legend, he lost his mother at the tender age of five.

The Stuntman's Playground

As a youngster, Rajinikanth practiced stunts at the Rama Hanuman Temple on a hill near his house, showing signs of his future screen presence.

A Name Fit for Royalty

Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad in a Marathi family in Bangalore, he was named after the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

From Villain to Hero

Rajinikanth entered the film industry playing anti-hero roles such as an abusive husband or womanizer.

The Turning Point

In 1977, his role in Bhuvana Oru Kelvikuri marked his transition to playing positive characters, paving the way for his superstar status.

The Immortal Superstar

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Directors steer clear of killing his characters on-screen to avoid fan outrage.

A Fandom Like No Other

A documentary titled For the 'Love of a Man', based on his massive fandom, premiered at the 71st Venice Film Festival in 2015.

Multilingual Star

Rajinikanth has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, and even English films, but surprisingly never in Marathi, his mother tongue.

From Big B To Thalaiva

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Rajinikanth has acted in 11 Tamil remakes of Amitabh Bachchan's hits, including Deewar and Don.

The Titles Say It All

All of Rajinikanth's films are contractually bound to feature his name as 'Superstar Rajinikanth.'

Sci-Fi Pioneer

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His 2010 sci-fi hit Enthiran became the only Tamil film to make it to the IMDb's Top 50 global films and was studied as a case at IIM Ahmedabad.

Inspiring Generations

His journey from bus conductor to superstar was featured in a CBSE lesson titled "From Bus Conductor to Superstar".

Top of the Charts

Forbes India named him the 'most influential Indian' in 2010.

Awards Galore

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He's a proud recipient of both the Padma Vibhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Highest Paid After Jackie Chan

Rajinikanth is one of Asia's highest-paid actors after Jackie Chan.

Rajinikanth's Admiration for Kamal Haasan

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Despite often playing Kamal Haasan's on-screen rival, Rajinikanth is a big fan of the actor.

Whether you're a die-hard admirer or not, there's no denying he has a magnetic influence on all of us. His life is anything but ordinary, it's a blend of simplicity and stardom, of quiet moments and roaring screens. Finally, as you reflect on these lesser-known details, did you score high in knowing any of these lesser-known facts?