Actor Rajinikanth- The Rise of a Legend

What image appears in your mind when you hear Rajinikanth? If your mind immediately directs you towards a southern superstar who rules Tamil Nadu's movie industry, then you are on the right track. Indeed, we are talking about a man who began his journey as a carpenter, a coolie, and then a bus conductor. Who would have known that the same man will carve an everlasting space in the hearts of people? Actor Rajinikanth is who we are talking about.

What's in a Name?

I remember a hilarious encounter from 2014, when I was working in a medical billing company in Noida. The room was full of selected candidates who were supposed to get an induction session in the first week of April. After an hour and a half, one of the seniors from Human Resource department walked towards us holding a list which was to announce the segregation of candidates in departments. As soon as the HR announced the name Rajinikanth, he giggled.

As I said, this name is a stimulus which makes us think Actor Rajinikanth in a split second. The person who shared the same name as southern superstar smiled sheepishly. Such was the influence of Rajinikanth that the guy with the same name felt the penetrating gazes on him. He later confessed that Rajinikanth is a favourite actor of his parents, and he always felt the pressure to live up to the mark.

The Rise of Actor Rajinikanth

December 12, 1950, was the date when Actor Rajinikanth first cried. Karnataka was blessed with a man who would later turn out to be gold. However, his parents originally named him Shivaji Rao Gaekwad. In the beginning phase of his life, Shivaji had to do odd jobs to earn an income. He became a bus conductor for Karnataka State Transport Corporation. Meanwhile, he nurtured his acting skills at a film institute.

K Balachander, a renowned director with a touch of gold, spotted Shivaji at the same film institute and invited him to his office. Shivaji could not believe his fate when the K. Balachander offered him to act in his next movie- Apoorva Raagangal (1975). The very next day Balachander declared to a close friend that Shivaji is destined for greatness and he will sweep off the entire state with his magic.  The director's prophecy turned out to be true, and we cannot thank him more for giving us Rajinikanth (Shivaji). Even Rajinikanth persistently calls Balachander as his Guru.

When Actor Rajinikanth Ruminated Over his Stardom

Such mass praise, the deafening precipitation of acclaim when Rajni conveyed his lines, all set up together, made him a marvel. It was now that Rajini understood the onus had been pushed on him. The destiny of filmmakers depended solely on him. This sudden introduction to the glare of the media, the prevalence and cash which he never envisioned would be his, scared him. At that critical time in his profession when his market cost had recently started to zoom, he chose to quit films totally, sending stun waves to his fans. Other southern stars like Balachander and Kamal Haasan, and his other well-wishers by one means or another, persuaded him into staying.

 A Spiritual Superstar

For his fans, Rajinikanth is God. For the world, he is a social marvel rising above the trappings of a negligible film star. He is a man who started his expert life as a humble coolie and went ahead to fill in as a regular transport conductor. Later, he wound up a standout amongst the most well-known individuals on the planet. People are such in awe of him that they cannot get enough of him. The craze of people made him one of the most followed superstars in India and the world. His fans even established a temple in his name.

In several interviews, Rajinikanth mentioned that God gave him more than he wished for, and he couldn't have asked for more. Such a simple man he is that no one can associate starry tantrums and egoistic nature with him. Never even once the pride and egoism touched this great superstar. He considers himself as a man of humble background and is thankful for the love people shower on him. Thalaivar is still a simple man at heart and values small things. He values spirituality and humility more than wealth and fame. Warmth, friendliness, calm and composed demeanour are the traits imbibed in an introverted man who has earned the love and respect of people. Rajinikanth says, " I owe everything to God and spirituality. I turn to meditation to connect with the divine power which has given me so much. Much of my life is inspired by spirituality."