From Coolie to Superstar: Rajinikanth's Inspiring Rise

South cinema
N
News18•12-12-2025, 04:01
From Coolie to Superstar: Rajinikanth's Inspiring Rise
- •Rajinikanth, born Shivaji Rao Gaikwad, came from a humble Marathi family in Bengaluru and faced early poverty.
- •Before acting, he worked as a coolie, carpenter, and bus conductor, where his unique style gained him popularity.
- •His friends encouraged him to join the Madras Film Institute, leading to his acting debut in K. Balachander's 'Apoorva Raagangal'.
- •Initially playing villain roles, he transitioned to lead roles, with 'Baasha' being a major turning point that cemented his superstar status.
- •His films have been released in multiple languages including Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and internationally in Japan, Turkey, and Germany.
Why It Matters: Rajinikanth's life proves dedication can turn humble beginnings into superstardom.
✦
More like this
Loading more articles...





