Rajinikanth turns 73: 10 must-know facts about Thalaivar

Rajnikanth, an iconic actor, marks his 73rd birthday today (December 12th), maintaining an unmatched global fan base. His magnetic charisma and impact persist as unparalleled forces in the film industry, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where he is not only esteemed as an actor but also as a symbol of inspiration. Rajinikanth is often referred to as 'Thalaivar,' meaning 'The Leader.'

On his birthday, let's delve into his life's journey and explore some lesser-known facts about him.

1. Rajinikanth’s real name is Shivaji Rao Geakwad, named after Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji.
2. Before getting into the film industry, he worked as a coolie, bus conductor, and carpenter.
3.  Rajinikanth grew up learning Kannada and Marathi, he learnt Tamil while pursuing acting course in Madras Film Institute.
4. Despite being celebrated for his heroic roles, Rajini commenced his career by portraying anti-hero characters.
5. The title ‘Superstar’ was bestowed upon Rajini by the acclaimed film director K Balachander, who introduced him in the tamil film ‘Apoorva Raagangal.’
6. Rajini holds the distinction of being the sole Indian actor included in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus. A lesson titled 'From Bus Conductor to Superstar' showcases his remarkable journey.
7. Rajinikanth has starred in eleven Tamil remakes of Amitabh Bachchan films like Deewar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Laawaris and Don among others which later became superhits.
8. 'Enthiran,' a film by Rajinikanth, stands as the sole Tamil movie to secure a spot in IMDb's Top 50 films globally for the year 2010.
9. Rajinikanth is the first Indian actor to engage with various camera technologies in films, spanning black and white, color, 3D, and motion capture.
10. Extending beyond the Indian film domain, Rajinikanth ventured into politics by establishing his party, the Rajini Makkal Mandram. However, his political trajectory has experienced fluctuations.