The Many Faces of Rajinikanth in Kollywood
From Murattu Kaalai to Kabali – the many avatars of Rajinikanth
If there is a God in Tamil Nadu it’s Rajinikanth. The style guru is mimicked by many but none can replicate his aura. The state celebrates when his films are released and the film posters are bathed in gallons of milk!
Even at 65, there is no stopping Rajinikanth. The actor might have tasted failure but that hasn’t stopped him from experimenting with his looks.
The Quint lists some of his deadly looks, which he rocked like a superstar!
Murattu Kaalai – 1980
This could have been Rajinikanth’s first movie as superhero. Yes, the actor single-handedly wrestled with a bull and won the heart of villagers. Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim, now we know where you got your inspiration from to fight with an elephant in MSG2.
Looks like Lalu Prasad Yadav would have had a stiff competition with Rajinikanth when it comes to the ‘katori shape’ hairdo in the 80s.
Thillu Mullu – 1981
Muunnch ado about nothing! The film not just manage to tickle the funnybones of the audience but it was also the first time Thalaivar fans got to see the man without his signature moustache.
Sree Raaghavendar – 1985
What could be better than portraying the role of a spiritual guru in your 100th film? Rajinikanth, who is a spiritual person himself, took up the challenge to play this off-beat role, which many actors wouldn’t.
Baasha – 1995
This is what started off the Rajini-ness of Kollywood. The film depicted and glorified Rajinikanth as a larger-than-life avatar, fuelled with powerful dialogues and acrobatic, crazy stunts.
Baasha became a blockbuster hit and Rajini the Badshah.
Padayappa – 1999
“En vazhi, thani vazhi” (my way is my own), rightly said Sir Rajini. Though Rajinikanth didn’t experiment with his looks much but it was the brown shawl-over-kurta look that stood out in the film.
Come on, no one else can rock the brown shawl over kurta like HIM! Apologies Big B but neither can you.
Sivaji – 2007
Rajinikanth was already bald enough to try this look, for which he received a lot of applause. According to reports, Rajinikanth’s fee of Rs 26 crore for Sivaji made him the highest-paid Asian actor after Jackie Chan.
“Pera kettaale chumma adhirudhulla!” (Doesn’t everything shake at the mere mention of my name?) Yes, including the box office.
Enthiran – 2010
What Ra.One couldn’t do Chitti the robot did. No, we are not just talking about Chitti rocked a shinier costume. The former went on to became a blockbuster hit.
Rajinikanth’s role as Chitti charmed not just children but housewives and elderly. The double role added double dhamaka to Enthiran.
Kabali – Sometime in 2016
In his 159th film Rajinikanth would look his age. Yes, the actor will sport a salt and pepper look along with thick white beard in his yet to be release Kabali.
But that does not mean that there would be no magnum opus action sequence. If rumours are to believed, there is a heroic fire sequence with over 200 extras!
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