A #Thread on the "Actor" #Rajinikanth. This thread is for p…

To answer Questions like whether Rajinikanth is an overrated actor? Why the hype? Has he ever done a range of different roles? use this thread as a primer to learn more about the man you know but the path you don’t! #Rajinikanth #Thalaivar ⏭️

#Rajinikanth did not to shoot to fame overnight. He had to toil for it. He was already acting in stage during his school days. In the early years he starred mostly in negative roles but made sure he created a space for him that is still lying with empty chairs #Thalaivar ⏭️

#Rajinikanth has taken formal acting courses at the Madras Film institute, where he was identified by K.Balachander based on his acting ability. KB sir was sure this dark, quirky man is going to hit the ball out of the park & he did foresee the future #Thalaivar ⏭️

#Rajinikanth used to play a lot of character oriented roles in the mid 70’s & 80’s. He was pushed to the commercial front as he was banking in more money but that never diminished his acting skills.The most recent examples of his acting prowess are Kabali & Kaala #Thalaivar ⏭️

#Rajinikanth knew early what his audience wanted from him & failures did not stop him from acting. He started his career in 1975, by 1979 he was already acting his 50th film (Tiger) Within 10 years by 1985 sprints towards his 100th film (Sri Raghavendrar) #Thalaivar ⏭️

In the next 10 years completes another impressive 50 films to reach his 150th (Aatank Hi Aatank”)
By this time he has acted in all major regional industries like Kannada, Telugu and Hindi other than Tamil. In 1988 he also acted in a Hollywood movie “Bloodstone” #Thalaivar ⏭️

#Rajinikanth is the only actor in Indian cinema to have acted in all formats which are available in cinema: B&W, colour, animation, motion capture & 3D.

He worked hard, honed his skills, created a unique identity & has been setting the screens on fire since 1975 #Thalaivar ⏭️

This #Thread is a very brief compilation of my favorite 3 films from the legendary long career of #Rajinikanth . For anyone who feels he’s overrated as an actor, please watch all these 3 movies & it’s sure to change your views forever about his acting skills #Thalaivar ⏭️

1) Thappu Thalangal — Wrong Notes

K Balachandar one of the most iconic directors of Tamil cinema, famous for his Avant-Garde & bold themes. His movies mostly featured steadfast strong women in lead roles which the industry has conveniently forgotten how to do #Thalaivar ⏭️

Thappu Thalangal is one such film which was way ahead of its time. The Film takes on Standards, Morality & societal norms. Any growing actor like #Rajinikanth would prefer to stay away from such unconventional roles but he took it up his sleeve & delivered in style #Thalaivar ⏭️

For a first film, Sarita proved her mettle to become one of the finest actress. Both actors compete to highlight their abilities in this well made movie. One has to watch the movie to understand the range of emotions that the lead actors had to play throughout. #Thalaivar⏭️

#Rajinikanth leaves an unforgettable imprint in everyone’s mind with his unique style of dialogue delivery, body language & powerful performance

He has done that in the past 45 years of his Film career until Darbar & more to come.

“Ithukku poi alattikalamaa…”
#Thalaivar ⏭️

2) Mullum Malarum — Thorn also Blossoms:
Another National award winning director Mahendran, whose dream was to take Tamil cinema to an international standard not through gimmicks & grandeur but through powerful storytelling & Pure Cinema #Thalaivar ⏭️

When he was given a chance to direct his first film, he insisted that he would only make the film with Rajinikanth in the lead that speaks volumes about the actor in Thalaivar. Master Director insisted on casting #Rajinikanth in the brother's role #Thalaivar ⏭️

This is what Director Mahendran had to say about Mullum Malarum "I had written the story of Mullum Malarum with brother-sister sentiment & my obvious choice was #Rajinikanth . He is the only actor to have the capability to play the role of Kaali #Thalaivar ⏭️

The producer was never interested in roping in Rajinikanth. Later, Rajini sir & I were waiting at Royapettah to see the film’s result. Mullum Malarum is a film that pinpoints ‘cinema is a visual medium’.I was curious to see whether the audience would accept it” #Thalaivar ⏭️

The audience accepted it wholeheartedly & eventually became a hit.This movie has a cult foll. to this date among #Rajinikanth fans

He had to exhibit various emotions torn between an egoistic man & a loving brother. A special mention on his chemistry with Phataphat Jayalakshmi⏭️

most unforgettable scene is when Kaali is thrown out of the job, he quickly transforms from an angry man into an indefensible individual, showcasing that with a mix of emotions without losing his head-strong attitude

This doesn’t come easy “Kettapayan Sir avan” #Thalaivar ⏭️

3) Aaril irunthi Arubathu varai — From Six to Sixty

One of Rajinikanth ‘s finest performances.The movie portrays the life of Santhanam a poor widow’s eldest son who is struggling to make the ends meet. #Rajinikanth ‘s entry is after the first 20 minutes #Thalaivar⏭️

I can’t imagine the consequences, if any of his recent movies had even tried that. The film begins well, slowly taking us into the life of Santhanam that winds down a rabbit-hole of tragedy
The artist ‘s performance is in the audience responding to the emotions on screen⏭️

#Rajinikanth delivers a spectrum of emotions as Santhanam & makes sure the audience is moved throughout
Some of the best scenes in the movie are when Santhanam is deceived by his lover Amutha, when his sister embarrasses him for the purchase of cheap gifts for her child ⏭️

When his brother humiliates him & santhanam explaining his wife what hardships he had to go through to bring them up. Finally to sum it all up, the song “vaazhkaye vaesham…” starts & by this time you are already running out of tissues. #Thalaivar ⏭️

Movie ends with the death of Santhanam in a chair looking at the image of his wife & thinking back at his siblings’ opportunistic actions

The eerie one minute silence at the end of the movie will silence us, reminiscent of the critics #Rajinikath has been silencing for years
END