Thalaivar Rajinikanth once dreamed of being a real-life Don!

Rajinikanth isn’t just a name- it’s an emotion for millions. From working as a coolie and bus conductor in Bengaluru to becoming one of India’s most celebrated actors, his journey is the stuff of legend. Fondly called Thalaivar, he commands a global fan base and is admired not just for his on-screen charisma but also for his humility and grounded nature in real life. At 74, Rajinikanth celebrates 50 glorious years in the industry, an achievement few can match. But, did you know, if not an actor, Rajinikanth dreamed of becoming an underworld Don.

Rajinikanth's Dream of Being a Don

Rajinikanth began his film journey portraying supporting and villainous characters, gradually captivating audiences with his bold style and magnetic presence. By the late 1970s, he successfully transitioned to leading roles, delivering landmark performances that secured his legendary status in Indian cinema.

During a candid 2010 interview with The Telegraph India, Rajinikanth made a startling revelation. If not an actor, he might have been an underworld don.

He made the startling revelation following the blockbuster success of Shankar’s Enthiran (2010), where Rajinikanth played both a scientist and a robot. At the time, he famously took no upfront salary, instead opting for a share of the profits — a move that left, as the report put it, his 'tijori full'. Laughing, he recalled telling the producers, “You give it to me later. Later, of course, I took.”

But life wasn’t always so flush with success. Before securing his Poes Garden home in Chennai, Rajinikanth faced tough financial struggles. In his younger days, he admitted he once thought of becoming a smuggler, anything to make money quickly. When reminded of this in the interview, he confirmed and even took it a step further.

He said, “Yes, that is correct, an underworld don. But that phase is over. I’ve made enough money!”

On-screen Don

Ironically, while real life never took him down that path, cinema did. Rajinikanth has portrayed iconic dons on screen in Billa (1980), Baashha (1995), and Kabali (2016), proving that sometimes fantasy is better left on film.