50 years of Rajinikanth: Indian cinema has many stars, but there is only one Rajinikanth. For 50 years, he has been entertaining audiences with his unique style, powerful performances, and larger-than-life presence. Today, as his latest film ‘Coolie’ hits the screens, fans are celebrating not just another movie, but a golden milestone in his career.
Rajinikanth’s story is the kind of journey that inspires people. He was not born into a film family. He did not have money, influence, or connections. What he had was determination, hard work, and a dream.
From Shivaji Rao to Rajinikanth
Rajinikanth was born as Shivaji Rao Gaikwad on 12 December 1950 in Bangalore (then in Mysore State, now Karnataka) in a Marathi family. His father, Ramoji Rao Gaikwad, was a police constable, and his mother was a homemaker. He was the youngest of four siblings. Life was simple but not easy. He lost his mother when he was just nine years old.
As a boy, Shivaji was both studious and mischievous. He loved playing cricket, football, and basketball. His brother enrolled him in Ramakrishna Math, a spiritual center, where he learned about Indian traditions, Vedas, and spirituality. It was also here that he first discovered acting, performing in small plays and mythological dramas.
One of his earliest roles was as Ekalavya’s friend in a play based on the ‘Mahabharata’. His performance caught the attention of Kannada poet D. R. Bendre, who praised his talent. That encouragement stayed with him.
The bus conductor who dreamed big
After finishing school, Shivaji worked different jobs like coolie, carpenter, and finally, bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service. Even while issuing tickets, he entertained passengers with his unique style of flipping and tearing them.
During this time, Kannada playwright Topi Muniappa cast him in one of his plays. This strengthened Shivaji’s passion for acting. A friend, Raj Bahadur, pushed him to take a big leap to join the newly opened Madras Film Institute. Raj Bahadur even supported him financially.
A new name and a new beginning
At the film institute, his intense expressions and unique body language caught the eye of legendary Tamil filmmaker K. Balachander. The director gave him a new screen name, Rajinikanth to avoid confusion with another great actor, Sivaji Ganesan. Balachander also advised him to learn Tamil, which Rajinikanth did quickly.
In 1975, Rajinikanth made his debut in ‘Apoorva Raagangal’, directed by Balachander. He played a small but memorable role. Soon, he became known for his strong negative roles in films like ‘Moondru Mudichu’ and ‘Avargal’.
From villain to hero
By the late 1970s, Rajinikanth was slowly moving from villain roles to hero roles. Films like ‘Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri’ and ‘Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai’ showed his range as an actor. His style of flipping cigarettes into his mouth, wearing sunglasses in his signature way, and delivering punch dialogues eventually became his trademark.
In the 1980s, Rajinikanth became a superstar with hits like ‘Billa’, ‘Murattu Kaalai’, ‘Thillu Mullu’, and ‘Nallavanukku Nallavan’.
While he ruled Tamil cinema, Rajinikanth also acted in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films. In Bollywood, he worked with stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra in movies such as ‘Andha Kanoon’, ‘Geraftaar’, and ‘Hum’.
The 1990s brought some of his most memorable hits: ‘Annamalai’, ‘Baashha’, ‘Muthu’, and ‘Padayappa’. ‘Muthu’ was released in Japan and became a surprise hit, making him famous there too.
Even a superstar faces ups and downs. Rajinikanth had a few box-office failures in the early 2000s. But he bounced back with ‘Chandramukhi’ (2005), which became one of the longest-running Tamil films ever. Then came ‘Sivaji’ (2007) and ‘Enthiran’ (2010), which broke box-office records.
In 2018, ‘Kaala’ and ‘Petta’ showed that age had not slowed him down.
50 Years of Rajinikanth: The legacy
Now, in 2025, Rajinikanth completes 50 years in cinema. His golden jubilee is being celebrated with the release of ‘Coolie’. Fans are flocking to theatres, dancing to the songs, and cheering for their Thalaivar (Leader).
The film’s release feels symbolic. Rajinikanth himself once worked as a coolie in his youth. Now, 50 years later, he plays one on the big screen, reminding everyone of how far he has come.
Thank you pic.x.com/EnmbSLOEDN
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) August 15, 2025
Over the years, Rajinikanth has received many awards, including the Padma Bhushan (2000) and Padma Vibhushan (2016). He has also been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2021), India’s highest award in cinema.
But ask him, and he’ll say his biggest reward is the love of his fans. From massive cut-outs bathed in milk to huge celebrations on his birthday, Rajinikanth’s fan following is legendary.
Rajinikanth surely is an emotion for millions.