Exclusive: Here’s what makes Rajinikanth Tamil cinema’s biggest brand even at 74

Rajinikanth, who turns 74 today (December 12),? has been an inseparable part of the Tamil film industry for nearly five decades. The star began his career in 1975 and emerged as a bankable name in the 1980s His stardom scaled new heights in the 90s as Muthu emerged as a sensation in Japan and opened new makers for him and Kollywood in general.?

Many expected the 2000s to be tough for him as the decade saw the emergence of younger stars. He, however, proved them wrong with films such as Chandramukhi (2005) and Sivaji. The 2010s, which saw the likes of Ajith and Vijay consolidate their standing in the industry, too had the potential to spell trouble for him. However, he proved his detractors wrong yet again and scored a blockbuster with Enthiran (2010). Nearly 14 years later, he remains Tamil cinema’s biggest brand and his stardom is second to none. So, what is that makes Rajinikanth a crowd puller at 74? Let’s find out

Rajinikanth enjoys pan-India stardom

Rajinikanth was one of the first stars from the Tamil industry to make an impact in Bollywood. He starred in cult films such as Andhaa Kaanoon (1983) and John Jani Janardhan (1984), breaking the language barrier.?

He also featured in memorable Telugu films such as Kaali and Ram Robert Rahim, Additionally, he also appeared in Malayalam and Kannada films. His impressive performances in non-Tamil films helped him add a new layer to his following and emerge as a pan-India brand.?

?According to Manobala Vijayabalan, a trade tracker,? Rajinikanth has been able to maintain this popularity over the years, which in turn has helped him remain the face of the industry.??

“If you visit even rural parts of the? North and say Rajini they will know he is from Madras and a popular star. This widespread popularity is the reason for his box office success. Current stars are trying to reach 300 crores, but he achieved it in 2010 with Enthiran itself. He has had 10 plus industry HIT movies over the last 40 years,” he told Indiatimes.?

In case you did not know, Enthiran grossed Rs 320 crore globally and opened new avenues for Tamil cinema. Similarly, 2.0 (2018)– a sequel to Enthiran– earned Rs 800 crore worldwide .

Rajinikanth? knows the pulse of the audience

Rajinikanth has also never shied away from experimenting with his reel image. He gave proof of this when he teamed up with Pa Ranjith for Kabali and Kaala. Both films featured a strong message and weren’t regular star vehicles. He also has the ability to understand the pulse of the audience.?

According to Ramesh Bala, a tracker, Rajini’s ability to stay in sync with the tastes of the audience has helped him stay strong despite the rise of younger stars.?

“Rajinikanth knows how to reinvent himself. He works with new directors right from Karthik Subbaraj (Petta) to Nelson (Jailer). He has also accepted his age and chooses roles accordingly.. He clearly is not stuck in the past. He has also teamed up with Anirudh on several occasions. He is in-form musician these days. Then, of course, his charisma is also responsible for his success,” he told Indiatimes?

Rajini’s reign, meanwhile, is set to continue with Coolie. The film, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, features ‘Superstar’ in the role of a gangster and is set against the backdrop of gold smuggling. Rajini also has Jailer 2 in his kitty.

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