by YathWrites

Created on: June 21, 2007

Introduction:
Sivaji Rao Gaekward is his real name. Rajinikanth is the name by which the world knows him. Down in Tamil Nadu the tittle 'Super Star' is synonymous to Rajini and Rajini alone. His popularity is maintained by a manic celebrity cult which cuts across Tamilians living all over the world. He has fan folllowing even in Japan. As he Rajini continues to suprise the world, here is a collection of my opinions on the Indian Super Star.

The BackStory:
Rajini is a stylish, spectacularly larger-than-life facade created over the years through careful planning of a few intelligent minds. In the beginning, there was only one director called S.P Muthuram who created special characters for Rajini. These characters typically elevated heroism and managed to garner the attention of every average moviewatcher who had a weakness of hero worshipping heroism. But of course, the Rajini's contribution to his image is the most important ingredient. The characters specifically created for Rajini somehow blended with his unique sense of timing, flamboyant style and indeniable screen presence. Soon Rajini got himself acquainted with the idea of the formula type hero whom the masses loved. What followed was nothing less than Succes. He now knows how to create same character with any director. He has the command over the director and often ghost directs his role.

The Recent Past and Present:
A few years before, Rajini's popularity took a beating when Dr. Ramdoss and his party men took a snapshot at him and his addiction to cigarette. His morals were questioned and his image was attacked. Rajini, however, remaned silent. There were certain rumours about a rough up between Rajini and Dhanush (lover of Rajini's daughter). The marriage of Dhanush and Aishwarya put the issue to rest. Then, Rajini's pet project about spritualism 'Baba' flopped while there was the increasing popularity of Vijay (A wannabe RajiniKant) who acted in 'Gilli' which equalled a Rajini hit. There were discussions about the waning Rajini craze. But smash hit "Chandramukhi' reduced the rumours to rubble. When the next biggie with Shankar - the most commercially successful director of Tamil Nadu was announced, it naturally became the talk of the town. The stakes on 'Sivaji' may be high and the expectation may be huge; still, it is doing business in the usually Rajini style. Its raking millions.

Rajini & Kamal - A comparison:
Rajini's Rise: From a critics point of view, Rajini has nothing spectacular. His looks are average;

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next Page >>