What makes our Superstar the Superstar?

The grand wait is almost over. Less than 48 hours to go. The most awaited movie release of the year, probably the decade (2001-2010), is here. Yes, a new movie from the one and only Superstar Rajnikanth. The buzz and excitement among Indians is bigger than what it is for any festival in India as this Mela cuts all religious and regional barriers and comes only once in 3 years.

Most of us never know when we became a fan of the Superstar, I mean, exactly after watching what movie of his. Guess most of us are his fans by default. For days in my childhood, I believed the kid next door is lying when he said he is a fan of Kamalhaasan. Such is his reach and status in Tamil industry that no matter whose films people see and like, they are always a fan of Thalaivar.

Though Rajni is known for his different mannerisms and punch dialogues, I think the reason for him being such a big star is his looks of an ordinary man and his simple, humble personality. In the decades before his entry into Tamil industry, the heroes were (or would have to be) fair skinned, with well oiled and groomed hair and a formal attire. But he broke those shackles, needless traditions and sported everyday look and became an instant hit with Tamils. As we all know, Rajni's acting is not only about his style, his earlier films had solid story and performances in them. I just thought this is a good time to go down the memory lane and pick 10 of my favorite movies of his while we are awaiting his next Mega Mega Blockbuster.

Disclaimer: Passionate devotees of Rajni who don't find their favorite movies here cannot sue or attack me as these are 'my favorites'. So please do not get technically violent.

1. Thillu Mullu

For the first time probably, Rajni did a change to his appearance for a movie. No one ever believed they could accept Rajni without his mustache. But the laughter riot that they made this out to be, we couldn't care less about his make up change. Though he always does a good job in the comedy scenes he has in a movie, this was a marked change from his formulaic movies and it took no less than his Guru KB sir to direct this. Never a dull moment, no reason not to watch this one again and again.

Highlight: Interview scene with Thengai Sreenivasan

2. Thalapathi

Mani's modern take on Mahabharata, his one and only movie with the Superstar was no doubt, a super duper hit. The film had everything going for it right from the cast, powerful acting, memorable lyrics, unforgettable music, and an amazing screenplay intertwining mother-son love and the friendship. The short and crisp dialogues were the highlight for me, a distinctive trait of Mani's movies. "Yaen?" "Deva". Those days, it will be a fight for Diwali whether Kamal's film or Rajni's film will be a hit. But that year, Kamal's experimental Guna was no match whatsoever for Thalapathi and the movie became a classic.

Highlights: Rajni-Mammooty first meeting, Rajni-Srividya scenes, Meeting at collector's office

3. Padikkathavan

One of Rajni's many movies with the acting legend Sivaji and an emotional step-brother story with all of usual elements. Be it the comedy scenes or romantic songs or emotional scenes, he was seen at ease with all his faces of acting. This film is nothing more than the run-of-the-mill movies in 80s' from Kamal or Rajni but certainly one of the better ones among its clones.

Highlights: Lakshmi, start aayidu and Rajni's discussion with Nagesh about pregnancy

4. Johnny

Very different from any of his other dual role movies and well distinguished acting and mannerisms for both his roles and an amazing climax make this a wonderful movie. I couldn't quite categorize what genre it is, probably romance comes closer. It had an amazing soundtrack by Maestro to go with Magendran's superb screenplay and direction. The barber character is everyone's favorite.

Highlights: Rajni's talk with Deepa before he kills her

5. Billa

A crucial milestone in Superstar's career, one that lifted his stardom up by several notches in Tamil industry. The manly style with which he plays 'Billa' character and the completely contrasting effeminate style with which he plays the other role are any Rajni fans' delight. Sripriya is one heroine who stood out among the usual romance-and-go heroines of 80s and it was a good performance from her too. Though the movie was a remake, it was Rajni who made 'Billa' his own and even if one had seen 'Don', they wouldn't want to miss 'Billa'.

Highlights: 'My name is Billa' and 'Vethalaya Pottendi'

6. Annamalai

'Malai da, Annamalai' - who can forget that line and the music that goes with it. The early seeds were sown for the style and punch lines of the roles we started seeing in most of his subsequent movies. I read somewhere that it was because some director was unavailable that Suresh Krishna got a chance to direct this and that must have been the luck of his life. The scene before the intermission where Rajni ferociously challenges and the scene in which he takes over as the Chairman are enough to watch this again and again.

Highlights: Scenes referred to in the above lines

7. Baasha

The ultimate Superstar movie one could ever wish for. Even the producers wouldn't have imagined that it will turn out to be such a humongous blockbuster. Only a very few Rajni fans could stop after a single viewing. What starts out at a slow and steady pace soon enters the best flashback sequence and turns into a blazing fast action movie from thereon. Even 100 remakes can't do justice and Superstar himself may not be able to pack such a punch now. Every film of his, will deservedly or not, will be compared with this and one needs to wait and see if anything can better this.

Highlights: Rajni' scene with principal, Rajni-Raghuvaran first clash

8. 16 Vayathinilae

It is quite weird that Rajni started acting in badass roles such as this but down the line became a hero and the darling of the masses. Bharathiraja had assembled the best youthful cast he could for his first movie and did everything right to make a superhit movie. More people watch this for Rajni than for Sridevi or Chappani, I am not downplaying Kamal's acting in this but just to show how people love it even when Rajni dons villain roles.

Highlights: Patha vechutiye Parattai...

9. Aarilirundhu Arupathu Varai

May not be a favorite for many but Rajni is at best of his acting prowess playing a common man who finds it hard to make ends meet. It would have probably struck chord with many of youngsters in Tamilnadu at that time (in 70s and 80s), it was very common to have 4 siblings and the responsibility to feed them all falls on the shoulders of the eldest son or daughter. I like the subtle acting of our Superstar and the moving scenes when his siblings start showing their real faces.

Highlights: Scene after the fire accident in which his wife dies

10. Mullum Malarum

Magendran is one director who won't alter his way of doing things for any hero, not that Superstar is one such hero who demands changes to his scripts. (Later, people themselves made only those sort of scripts that Superstar's image would allow). Those were times there was no image boundaries existed for Rajni and he was fully free to choose his roles. His character in this movie loses one hand probably half way thru the movie, nowadays, if his character gets as much as hurt to put a band-aid, the director's house is not safe. I don't remember much of the scenes to highlight one but the way Rajni and Shobha acted this out, this was thalaivar's own Pasamalar.