Rajinikanth – The name is too close to every household, seen as a dear member of every family in Tamil Nadu, an Everest of entertainment and the doyen of Indian cinema, making the theatres roar with unsettling exhilaration when he appears on screen, even in his 70s, bearing witness to his enduring domination in Indian Cinema and among fans. The Legend turns 73.
The Rajinikanth impact is a tale of adulation, emulation, and inspiration. It reflects a cultural phenomenon that goes beyond the cinematic experience, encapsulating a myriad of emotions and actions that have a far-reaching effect on society. Through the eyes of a fan, Rajinikanth isn’t just a movie star; he is a way of life—a beacon of hope that continues to light up the lives of many. His own life is a testament to his belief that anything is possible (though he attributes all his success to the divine being!). Many of his fans draw inspiration from his real-life struggles and believe that they, too, can achieve greatness despite their circumstances.
His style and swag are matchless by any other star. His flip of a cigarette and his flick of sunglasses are his signatures that are timeless and iconic, but that’s not it. If it’s style, then Rajinikanth is the fountain and mountain of it. The props used by Rajinikanth in his movies have attained classic status; his touch is truly magical. Say, the Bicycle in “Annamalai,” “Temples-less Coolers and Auto” in Basha, the Red towel in “Muthu,” the dagger and turban in “Baba,” Rudraksh and Kada in “Arunachalam,” “Chewing Gum” in Shivaji are some of them. Rajinikanth doesn’t follow the trends and fashion; instead, they follow him. He stamps his signature in every style of his and lets his fans celebrate and imitate them endlessly.
His one-liners are philosophical, which some of his fans cherish as life mantras, and his powerful punches land like anything and etch into the hearts of his fans. From “Ithu Eppadi Irukku? (How’s this?)” in Pathinaaru Vayathinile to “Oru thadava sonna nooru thadava sonna maari (If I say once, it means that I have said it 100 times)” in Basha to “Tiger ka Hukum” in Jailer, his punches roar from theatres to homes.
Rajini-Fans Relationship:
The first dark-skinned hero of Tamil cinema who went on to capture the hearts of his fans forever. From his first film “Apoorva Raagangal” directed by K. Balachander to his latest movie “Jailer” by Nelson, he rules Tamil Cinema like a boss. That’s Rajinikanth’s Hukum! The impact of Rajinikanth on Tamil Cinema is brought as a reference in Karthik Subbaraj’s recent film “Jigarthanda DoubleX.” Such a testament to Rajinikanth’s supremacy forever.
Interestingly, his impact is not only emotional or social, but it also has a significant economic aspect. When a Rajinikanth movie is released, it’s like a festival. Fans flock to theatres in the wee hours of the morning; special prayers are held for the success of his films. Theatres often witness pandemonium with fans dancing in the aisles, throwing confetti, and even performing ‘aarti’ on the first day, the first show. It’s an exuberant display of affection and devotion.
Several fan clubs, numbering in the thousands, go beyond just adulating him—they engage in social work, spreading the goodness that Rajinikanth stands for. When a new movie is released, fans often celebrate by providing free meals to the poor, donating blood, and engaging in charitable activities, all in the name of Rajinikanth. All the more, the fans went bonkers to the extreme that they ate Mann Soru (putting rice on the empty floor and eating) for his well-being and the success of Enthiran 2.0.
Furthermore, his international fan base is noteworthy. People from various countries enjoy Rajinikanth’s films dubbed in their regional languages, especially his fanbase in Japan. When his movie “Muthu” was released in Japan, then the untapped market for Indian and Tamil Cinema, became the biggest hit.
Only for Rajinikanth!
Many superstars are there, but nobody is Rajinikanth. Let’s explore a few moments that only happen to Rajinikanth.
Paid Leave to Watch Movie: Many corporate companies in Chennai and Bangalore announce leave for their employees to watch a Rajinikanth movie to avoid “sick leaves.”
Special Aircraft from Air Asia: A Kabali-themed special aircraft was organized by the Malaysian carrier Air Asia for his movie promotion.
Hot Balloon over Hollywood Signage: A hundred-foot-tall hot air balloon was flown for the Enthiran 2.0 movie’s promotion activity over Hollywood signage.
Used Jeep for Mahindra’s Auto Museum: Anand Mahindra wanted to acquire the Mahindra “Thar” for his auto museum expressing his adoration for Rajinikanth, “When the legend uses a car as the throne, it becomes a legend.” (One more example of a prop becoming a classic!)
Shah Rukh Khan’s Tribute: What else? It’s the “Lungi dance.” Shah Rukh Khan’s song tribute to Rajinikanth in the “Chennai Express” movie.
The Celluloid Phenomenon:
He is the first and the only Indian actor to have appeared in Black and White, Color, 3D, and Motion Capture Animation films. Citing the previous, the National School of Journalism & Public Discourse published an article titled “Rajini: The Celluloid Phenomenon” on Rajinikanth winning the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Hukum Forever!
Why do fans worship Rajinikanth? What magic does he weave that compels millions to venerate him as a demi-god? Is it his distinctive style, his punchlines, or the way he strikes a chord with the masses? Even the Superstar himself has no answer to it.
Lastly, what differentiates Rajinikanth from other stars is perhaps his unpredictability and his retention of a certain mystique. Unlike many public figures who are continually under the spotlight, Rajinikanth often shies away from media and public appearances, creating an aura of mystery that intrigues his admirers even more.
With Rajinikanth continuing to strike a chord with each performance, his legacy is one that will carry forward for years to come. As a fan, one can only look forward to his next venture, ready to embrace ‘Thalaiva’ with the same fervor as always. In the end, to witness Rajinikanth in action is not to watch a film—it’s to partake in an experience, a phenomenon that defines the epitome of fandom.
