Images

'After my parents, it is superstar Rajinikanth who is most important to me'

'After my parents, it is superstar Rajinikanth who is most important to me'

As Rajinikanth returns to screens after two years, cinema insiders and admirers pay testament to his enduring fandom
24 Jul, 2016

The cinema gates opened before dawn in Chennai, home of the Tamil movie star Rajinikanth and ground zero of the nationwide frenzy surrounding the release on Friday of his latest action epic. Hundreds of fans shoved their way in as firecrackers burst and car stereos blared the movie’s theme song, “This is fire, dude!”

Then came the bad news: all the tickets were sold out. For the next two weeks. The fans, chased out by police, were heartbroken.

“If I don’t get to watch my favourite star’s new movie on the ‘first day, first show,’ there will be a big black hole in my life,” said Sundar Vaidyanathan, 27, wiping away tears. “After my parents, it is superstar Rajinikanth who is most important to me.”

India’s movie industry is the biggest in the world, producing more than 1,600 new films a year in more than 20 local languages. And Rajinikanth is the biggest star in that firmament, if sheer, over-the-top fan mania is the measure.

He is no super-stud. At 65, he is balding and sports unkempt gray stubble. Yet he is so beloved — he boasts three million Twitter followers — that his movie release dates are anticipated in India like national holidays.

“If I don’t get to watch my favourite star’s new movie on the ‘first day, first show,’ there will be a big black hole in my life,” said Sundar Vaidyanathan, 27, wiping away tears. “After my parents, it is superstar Rajinikanth who is most important to me.”

In Chennai, some companies gave employees the day off on Friday so they could go see Kabali, Rajinikanth’s first film in two years. Others had booked entire cinemas for their staff. Air Asia flew 180 fans to the city for the first-day showing in a plane custom-painted with the star’s likeness. One county was giving away free tickets to people who pledged to install an indoor toilet, taking advantage of the movie’s popularity to address the issue of widespread public defecation.

“Rajinikanth is not a human being. He is not an actor. He is god,” said S. Thanu, the producer of Kabali.

The movie, a gangster action drama, has been released on 10,000 screens around the world, including more than 400 in the United States and several in Britain, China, Malaysia and Japan. More than 20 million people viewed the pre-release trailer on YouTube in just two weeks. But the real madness takes place in India.

“Even in a land where films, and superstar actors, play larger-than-life roles in social, cultural and ... political life, there has been nothing to compare with the Rajinikanth phenomenon,” said N. Ram, chairman of the Hindu group of newspapers here. The star’s ”panache, style, and iconic one-liners fire up his fans and immediately become part of part of popular culture and lingo,” Ram added.

Rajinikanth, the actor’s stage name, was born Shivaji Rao Gaikwad in southern India, the son of a police constable. He acted in school plays, but later worked as a railway porter, a carpenter and a ticket seller on public buses. One day a movie director spotted him on stage, which led to his first role, playing an abusive husband, in 1975. A decade later, he was being hailed as a “superstar”.

His signature moves — the flick of his hair, the way he would toss his cigarette, flip his sunglasses and his guffaw — lent him a macho, rough-and-tough aura. In real life, his fans say, Rajinikanth is a simple man who eschews his larger-than-life persona. Unlike many other aging movie stars, he doesn’t hide his baldness with a wig and avoids public events and TV commercials.

In Chennai, some companies gave employees the day off on Friday so they could go see Kabali, Rajinikanth’s first film in two years. Others had booked entire cinemas for their staff. One county was giving away free tickets to people who pledged to install an indoor toilet, taking advantage of the movie’s popularity to address the issue of widespread public defecation.

The contrast between his on-screen swagger and his real-life humility and “ordinariness” is the reason his fans adore him, Ram says.

In Kabali, set in Malaysia, the star plays a former Indian trade-union leader turned gangster who is seeking revenge on his gang foes after 25 years in prison.

“It is a different kind of hysteria this time, because they are seeing Rajinikanth play a role that is his real age,” said Pa Ranjith, the movie’s director. “He is not the romantic, young, dancing hero in my film.”

But Rajinikanth’s trademark style is intact in the film. At a showing on Friday, fans screamed deliriously at every one of his outlandish stunts. They howled with anger when the villain beat him and chanted “style king”, “boss” and “leader.” It didn’t matter that the dialogue was drowned out in the din.

“I am watching the film today for the unmatchable energy in the hall. It feels like the roof will fall in,” said Balaji Ram, a 30-year old software engineer. “I will come back and watch it with my family again to focus on the story, acting and dialogue. I usually watch his films 10 times.”

The image of invincibility that surrounds the star has generated jokes depicting him as a superhero who can run faster than light and stop tsunamis and speeding trains by just exhaling.

“In so many movie roles, Rajinikanth starts off as an absolute nobody but goes on to become powerful,” said Smitha Sarma Ranganathan, a brand and marketing expert. “He offers people the idea of possibility. He is the adrenalin shot that people need to aspire.”

Religious rituals often accompany the release of Rajinikanth’s films. Fans shave their heads and offer special prayers in temples, distribute sweets, throw coins at the screen when he appears, and bathe his giant cardboard cutouts with milk — although that last practice is being discouraged this year because of high milk prices.

On Friday, many fans lingered outside sold-out cinemas with long faces. Asked why he had braved the long lines for a chance to see the movie on its release date, Anthony Rajkumar, 26, a marketing executive, said, “If your wife gives birth to a child, would you wait a few days to see the baby?”

—By arrangement with The Washington Post


Originally published in Dawn, July 24th, 2016

Comments

R Subramanian Jul 24, 2016 01:19pm
We love Ranijikanth
Recommend (0)
AHA Jul 24, 2016 01:58pm
South Indian film industry maybe 20 times bigger than Pakistan film industry...
Recommend (0)
srimanta majumdar Jul 24, 2016 02:01pm
Even Pakistan knows the power of rajni !!!
Recommend (0)
vijay,salem Jul 24, 2016 02:15pm
Neruppudaa!!
Recommend (0)
SouthIndian Jul 24, 2016 02:22pm
True world boss! Thalaiva!!
Recommend (0)
indian dude Jul 24, 2016 02:36pm
Vijay and Dhanush will be next big star of tamil cinema.I like them.
Recommend (0)
ATHEIST!! Jul 24, 2016 03:19pm
And here, I know nothing about kabali. The only rajnikant movie I've watched is robot.
Recommend (0)
Kumar Jul 24, 2016 03:25pm
Salman Khan releases his movies on Holiday and when Rajinikant movie is released, official holiday is declared... Thats the power of one and only Sir Rajinikant... No Khan can match his persona..
Recommend (0)
سے Shaam Jul 24, 2016 03:26pm
No Sub-continent star rather none in the World enjoy the phenomenon like "Rajnikanth" AKA Sivaji Rao Gaekwad. Where have you heard private companies in cities comparable to Chennai and Bengaluru giving staff holidays on a Friday, just because Rajni film is releasing... Awesome. Thalaiva!!!!
Recommend (0)
Muhammad Adeel Jul 24, 2016 03:42pm
stunned to see such an extraordinary love to Rajinikanth. Sultan's box office record got a head kick by kabali Bussiness.
Recommend (0)
yogi Jul 24, 2016 03:45pm
Salman releases his movie on Eid, Sharuk on Diwali, Amir on Christmas in view of Holidays. Taliva Rajani Sir releases movie on weekdays, that day becomes holiday. Rajani, The Superstar, long live.
Recommend (0)
Indian Bulls Jul 24, 2016 04:05pm
I'm not a South Indian but everyone loves Rajni! He's the most amazing personality combining stardom with humility. His popularity has only increased and will keep increasing
Recommend (0)
Rup Jul 24, 2016 04:26pm
Most of the bollywood stars like A bachan , SRK are fan of Rajni .. Thalaivanda .. Nerippada !!
Recommend (0)
Hari Jul 24, 2016 04:33pm
The Emperor of Asian films. Neruppudaa!!!!
Recommend (0)
luuke furtado Jul 24, 2016 05:26pm
Plus he gives a lot to charity.....A lot.....So calling him 'Super' fits the bill.....You go Bossman Rajnikanth......Making us Indians proud since 1970's..........
Recommend (0)
jayaram66 Jul 24, 2016 05:32pm
Salman Khan- I release my films on Eid because its's a holiday. Shah Rukh Khan- I release my films on Diwali because it's a holiday. Rajanikanth- I release my films and it becomes holiday. So true. The vehicle parking fee collection for Kabali is more than Saman Khan's Sultan box office collection. Now beat that,
Recommend (0)
Wise Jul 24, 2016 05:34pm
Reality is not so unpleasant so i prefer shadows. I am so weak and helpless, superhuman hero is my escape.
Recommend (0)
Truth is bitter!! Jul 24, 2016 05:37pm
There is no class of Khans in front of Rajni!! Kabali broke all records of highest opening days collection!! The collection of Kabali is almost double the collection of Sultan!! We love you Rajani sir!!
Recommend (0)
Ali Jul 24, 2016 05:46pm
Salman and Amitab is nothing,, he is the real SUPERSTAR,,
Recommend (0)
saeeds Jul 24, 2016 05:52pm
Third world people have same mentality we like sultan Rahi you like Ranjikant . Now look in US increasing Hispanic popluation plus Indian and Pakistani people the Rock is number one hero. But that's the way we like our Art.
Recommend (0)
Narayanan Jul 24, 2016 05:54pm
This article is a good intro of Rajini to Pakistan readers It does not cover the commercial aspect of his movies , his fan base in other countries like Japan where the viewers are not Indians settled there.
Recommend (0)
Apoo Jul 24, 2016 06:51pm
Thalaivar, you are simply awesome. You are a true India n
Recommend (0)
Reham Jul 24, 2016 07:22pm
My works sometimes takes me to east Asia including countries like Indonesa, Korea and Japan. I was surprised to see Tamil movies are quite popular in some of these countries (all dubbed in their language), and are even more popular than Bollywood movies.
Recommend (0)
veeran Jul 24, 2016 07:40pm
So crazy people , Never seen anywhere. Waste of Milk where millions of children could not get to drink milk. Wish it should be stopped.
Recommend (0)
Tit for tat Jul 24, 2016 08:15pm
@AHA ,Film industry is not considered as graceful sector in pakistan. Therefore, there is less interest among people to explore or patronage Pakistan flim industry. Unlike india, they mom and dad along with their teen kids, they will have no problem to go kama type movies where open erotics scenes are considered esteem of the movie. So, we are happy that pak film is smaller than your kama industry since we respect modesty and honor of our culture and creed.
Recommend (0)
sk Jul 24, 2016 08:19pm
Neruppu da
Recommend (0)
Sri1 Jul 24, 2016 09:02pm
Wow, good to see many South Indians here. More than Indo-Pakistan issues that attract north Indians, Southies love good reporting like Deccan Herald, Hindu and by the looks of it - Dawn.
Recommend (0)
Proud Pakistani Jul 24, 2016 09:09pm
@srimanta majumdar true...he is a legend and a very humble person
Recommend (0)
AdHawk Jul 24, 2016 09:19pm
Wow! The U.S. equivalent would be an alternative universe where, heavens forbid, Chuck Norris were the hottest blockbuster movie star.
Recommend (0)
Hamza Jul 24, 2016 09:19pm
Rajni Sir is also very popular in Pakistan. We love him..
Recommend (0)
PAATCHU Jul 24, 2016 09:27pm
Rajini - is a different cup of tea. He is awesome as a person... as an actor...
Recommend (0)
Dipak Singh Jul 24, 2016 09:31pm
He is super star not only coz he act good, at the same time he is a great human being & humble person.. He respects other co actor & actress... Never done wrong things in his life.. Grown from bus conductor to super star but still he is down to earth.
Recommend (0)
Ayub Jul 24, 2016 09:50pm
Rajanikanth is indeed an excellent superstar.
Recommend (0)
Tamil Jul 24, 2016 10:00pm
Can anyone tell me How much does the biggest star of Pakistan charge for one film?
Recommend (0)
Asiatic lion Jul 24, 2016 10:05pm
75 percent of Indian movie revenue is generated from South Indian movies. Movies are such an important media to showcase culture throughout the world. And when the star is super rajni the craze is beyond imagination. If there is a craziness index as a parameter then I guess rajni would be among top ten in the world. What makes him a lethal personality is that he is a bigger star in real life than reel life.
Recommend (0)
Awesome Lyrics Jul 24, 2016 10:28pm
I heard they declared a holiday on the day of release of his movie, and it had raked in Rs 200 crores even before the official release of the movie!First day earning North America – $1,922,995; UK – £93,835; France – 41,280 €;
Recommend (0)
deepak ravi Jul 24, 2016 10:49pm
@Reham South Indian films are bigger than Bollywood. Anyway Bollywood just copies films from South. The future of Bollywood is Pakistan, the future of Indian cinema is South Indian cinema.
Recommend (0)
Gautham Jul 24, 2016 11:02pm
Watching Rajni's movie is like performing a pilgrimage. It is not about story or action or songs or make up. It is the entire experience, like going to Haridwar all the way from Hyderabad to take a dip in the Ganga.
Recommend (0)
ifti Jul 24, 2016 11:19pm
With due respects to religious practices, can Rajni kant urge his fans to give the milk they spill on his posters to the needy instead. Their prayers I believe will bring the actor even greater success.
Recommend (0)
pk Jul 24, 2016 11:30pm
This is the real power of India. It is an example of India's uniqueness which is part of our ancient Indian culture. Hero like Rajnikant is our roll model who gives good name to our country India. We have tradition to worshiped who are doing good work for the humanity. That is why India is shinning and getting respect world wide.
Recommend (0)
Pune India Jul 24, 2016 11:53pm
Kabali made 250 crore INR (412 Crore PKR) in one day box office collection....National record of India..
Recommend (0)
B. Sridhar Jul 24, 2016 11:57pm
It is hard to argue with success. For all the addiction, Rajanikanth has remained humble and rooted. The same could not be said about his fans though. I hope these fans (short for fanatics) have more important things in life to live for. Otherwise, what a bleak existence existence it is that revolves around a cinema star.
Recommend (0)
Vivek (Indore) Jul 25, 2016 12:22am
Everyone from India loves Rajinikanth, this movie already made almost ₹100 Crore (PKR 156 Crore) BEFORE ITS RELEASE!
Recommend (0)
Ramesh Jul 25, 2016 01:46am
@AHA NO , there is no caparison at all . south Indian movies budget and studios far far bigger . here passion and about movies and technology they can't imagine.
Recommend (0)
Abdulla Hussain Jul 25, 2016 06:51am
@srimanta majumdar: We have such Rajni by hundreds, the bus ticket seller
Recommend (0)
samunar Jul 25, 2016 06:58am
I love Fawad's dramas. He has a big following in India.
Recommend (0)
Indian Jul 25, 2016 08:39am
Talaaaaivaaa....
Recommend (0)
Pradeep D'Silva Jul 25, 2016 09:25am
This is crazy!
Recommend (0)
apakmuslim Jul 25, 2016 10:05am
Mr Gaekwad is one of a kind. Will 'Kabali' be screened in Pak ?
Recommend (0)
TAMIZHAN Jul 25, 2016 10:54am
Proud to see article on our icon over here... #Neruppuda #Kabali
Recommend (0)
Ahmar Qureshi Jul 25, 2016 11:02am
Rajni Kanth: He's a Mega Star & the One Man Army of entertainment business himself! - Rascal'a Mind it! Regards from fans in Pakistan! :-)
Recommend (0)
syed shahzad bukhari Jul 25, 2016 11:10am
Thats the way great hero loved by his/her fans
Recommend (0)
Mohbat Jul 25, 2016 11:37am
He's great actor and lives in hearts of millions, but why his fans bath poster with milk which otherwise would be more appreciable if milk is distributed among peoples.
Recommend (0)
anon Jul 25, 2016 12:47pm
Many readers here are asking why waste milk by pouring over the poster? They don't know the meaning of "Fan". Probably have not watched SRK's "Fan" either.
Recommend (0)
PUNE-INDIA Jul 25, 2016 03:37pm
@Tamil : Their Movie budget is 10 crore PKR (for Most expensive Movie). Pakistani superstar is Shaan..he might be taken atleast 1-crore PKR for this movie....(1 INR=1.65 PKR)
Recommend (0)
sameer Jul 25, 2016 03:40pm
@ifti I dont know whether he told his fans not to do that or not. But by your question you are questioning his character. so FYI, he spend more than half of his fees for charity and that is 20+ crores, he lives simple life. He doesnt want to be in glamours look all the time. If anyone see him in his daily life, will bet his life that he is not the same rajnikant who were seen in the movie. he is so humble and down to earth and that is the reason why his cutout is being bathed in milk.
Recommend (0)
saket Jul 25, 2016 09:25pm
@Tamil shaan shahid is pakistani super star he charge 40 lakh pakistani rupees, in indian currency it would be 20lakh rupees
Recommend (0)
saket Jul 25, 2016 09:29pm
@PUNE-INDIA no you are wrong, I saw a video o you tube of pakistani directors they revealed this secret that shaan take 40 lakh pakitani rupees
Recommend (0)
krishna Jul 26, 2016 10:02am
i love rajnikanth, he's my superstar.
Recommend (0)
Kaly Jul 26, 2016 11:59am
Rajni is an overrated actor, in acting no one stand in front of Amitabh... Don't know why South Indians make a type of him..
Recommend (0)
gopynath Jul 26, 2016 12:20pm
great to see an article about thalaivar... i have never seen an article about south india.as it should be there is no reason to add a topic about south india in a Pakistan site,but big congrats to DAWN for letting pakistan to know about thalaivar. if you come to watch a film of thalaivar on the first day(in Tamil nadu ), you will know the crazinesss of our fans....lightning celeberation . mouth watering decorations.. it will be like a festival..no religion no caste ...All are thalaivar fans.we follow him like anything. he is down to earth, open minded. no one can live a life like him ( wearing a normal dress , normal slipper riding his fiat car and a innova, where as he can buy the costliest car in the world in a matter of seconds)
Recommend (0)
Parth Jul 26, 2016 08:36pm
@Kaly well this was what Amitabh Bachchan had to say about Rajinikanth in a recent interview.."Rajini is phenomenal. The largest, the best and truly the boss. Outside of Tamil Nadu, people have no idea what he is all about. The adulation, the following is incomparable. We are friends and colleagues. I abhor epithets, but for him, I will make exceptions, for he is truly exceptional."...so don't go on hating on a star jus coz you love another.
Recommend (0)
Urmi Jul 27, 2016 06:42am
Rajini sir very humble , does a lot of charity and a real spiritual person , no fake egos that makes him the real hero, simplicity is his virtue .
Recommend (0)
sudhir Jul 27, 2016 08:43am
There are heck of a lot of Rajinikant inspired jokes going around. My most favourite will always be `Rajinikant's next movie is called Twitter and he's playing all the 140 characters'
Recommend (0)