Overview
- Hindustan Times rewrote its masthead as "Rajinikanth Times" and published a multi-part package to commemorate his five-decade milestone.
- Born Shivaji Rao Gaikwad, he rose from bus conductor to star after K. Balachander cast him in the 1975 film Apoorva Raagangal.
- Iconic mannerisms and screen presence turned him into a cross-market cultural marker for South Indian cinema and beyond.
- Landmark titles such as Baashha, Sivaji and Enthiran shaped hero-centric storytelling and delivered major box-office breakthroughs.
- He remains active with projects and public engagements, giving fewer interviews as fans look to audio-launch speeches like his recent Coolie event with Lokesh Kanagaraj.