Rajinikanth at 75: Celebrating Thalaivar’s Legacy Through His Iconic Films
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This film cemented Rajinikanth’s reputation as a serious performer. As Kali, a stubborn yet affectionate winch operator, he delivered one of his most nuanced roles. It also gave fans his iconic line: “Ketta paiyan sir indha Kaali.”
Mani Ratnam’s crime drama reinterprets the Karna–Duryodhana bond through Rajinikanth’s Surya and Mammootty’s Devaraj. Rajinikanth’s restrained yet powerful performance remains one of his most acclaimed.
A defining film in his career, Baashha introduced Manickam—a humble auto driver with a feared gangster past. The film set new benchmarks for mass cinema and produced punchlines still quoted today.
A perfect blend of family emotions, action, and philosophy, Padayappa became a blockbuster phenomenon. Rajinikanth’s magnetic screen presence and Ramya Krishnan’s iconic Neelambari made it unforgettable.
In Shankar’s sci-fi epic, Rajinikanth excelled in a dual role—scientist Vaseegaran and robot Chitti. The film broke box office records and showcased his ability to reinvent himself.
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Rajinikanth plays a gold smuggler avenging his friend’s death, facing a ruthless gang led by Nagarjuna. Aamir Khan appears in his Tamil debut.
A massive hit where he plays a retired jailer who re-enters the criminal world to rescue his kidnapped son.
A sentimental drama where Rajinikanth portrays a devoted elder brother protecting his sister from danger.
Directed by TJ Gnanavel, Rajinikanth stars as a supercop entangled in a high-stakes murder investigation, supported by a stellar ensemble cast.