Rajinikanth hit a big milestone this month. He finished 50 years in movies. His latest film, ‘Coolie,’ just came out. It earned a lot of money right away, storming the box office on its first day. This film is very important for Rajinikanth because it celebrates his long career.
He began acting 50 years ago. His first movie, ‘Apoorva Raagangal,’ came out on August 15, 1975. That same year, the classic film ‘Sholay’ also hit theaters. Rajinikanth’s journey started as a bus conductor. Now, 50 years later, he is a huge superstar. Let’s look at how Rajinikanth got his first film, and some stories from that time.
Before Movies: From Coolie to Bus Conductor
Before movies, Rajinikanth faced many challenges. His life was full of struggles. He worked as a coolie and a bus conductor. He had a unique, stylish way of selling tickets. This made him very popular with passengers, bus drivers, and other conductors. Rajinikanth always wanted to act. But he did not have enough money. He lacked the means to chase his dream.
A Bus Driver Friend Helped
A friend named Raj Bahadur helped him greatly. Raj Bahadur was not a director or an actor. He was a bus driver, just like Rajinikanth. They met in 1970 while working for Bangalore Transport Services. Raj Bahadur was the person who saw Rajinikanth’s talent. He told him to follow his dream of becoming an actor.
Rajinikanth worried about money. His financial situation made him hesitant. But Raj Bahadur supported him. He only earned 400 rupees a month. Still, he helped Rajinikanth join the Madras Film Institute. He sent half his salary to Rajinikanth every month. Rajinikanth also learned Tamil. He needed it to pursue his acting career.
K. Balachander Spotted His Talent
While studying acting, Rajinikanth met the legendary film director K. Balachander. This director spotted Rajinikanth’s potential. He gave him his first film chance. Balachander also gave him his famous name. Rajinikanth’s real name is Shivaji Rao Gaikwad. But Balachander renamed him Rajinikanth for films. This naming happened on March 27, 1975. It was during Holi, on a Thursday. Rajinikanth believed Thursdays were lucky for himself. So, he was very happy about his new name. It certainly brought him success.
His First Role: A Small Negative Part
Rajinikanth’s first role was in K. Balachander’s ‘Apoorva Raagangal.’ Kamal Haasan and Srividya played the main parts. Kamal Haasan had a negative role in the film. Rajinikanth’s part in ‘Apoorva Raagangal’ was small.
A Set Anecdote: Balachander’s Scolding
A famous story from the first film’s shoot is often told. The filming did not start on a Thursday. This upset Rajinikanth. He thought Thursdays were his lucky day. For the first two days, he had no scenes to shoot. Lead actor Kamal Haasan was filming his parts. Rajini did not stay on set. He went outside and smoked instead.
K. Balachander found out about this. He shouted at Rajinikanth, ‘Don’t you want to learn?’ He explained that experienced actors are a treasure of knowledge. Watching them work is how you learn the art. Balachander was known for his strong, direct personality.
Learning from Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is truly considered a master of acting. Seeing him perform is a special experience. After the director’s scolding, Rajinikanth took things seriously. He started learning a lot from Kamal Haasan.
An Unforgettable First Scene
His very first scene in ‘Apoorva Raagangal’ became unforgettable. Rajinikanth had no beard or mustache. He wore messy, shabby clothes. He had to open a house door and walk into the complex. This scene was very special for Rajinikanth. In his initial scene, Rajinikanth was nervous. The first shot needed many retakes. K. Balachander’s patience was wearing thin. But he understood his new actor was scared.
Rajinikanth only had two lines in that scene. He asked Prasanna, who was standing on the balcony, ‘Is this Bhairavi’s house?’ The young man said yes. Then he asked, ‘Who are you?’ Rajinikanth’s character paused. He then replied, ‘I am her husband.’ Hearing this, Prasanna looked shocked. Rajinikanth performed this simple scene easily. His part in the first film was complete.
Fans Loved His Work, Balachander Was Pleased
Audiences loved Rajinikanth’s scenes. The film became a hit. His performance created a buzz. If anyone was happiest to see this, it was K. Balachander. Balachander was satisfied with Rajinikanth’s acting. He was happy that his discovery had proved correct.
Crying with Joy on the Big Screen
On August 15, 1975, ‘Apoorva Raagangal’ opened in theaters. Rajinikanth saw himself on the big screen for the first time. He could not hold back his tears. He cried with joy. It was a long journey from a bus conductor to a movie star. Rajinikanth’s journey started with ‘Apoorva Raagangal.’ It is still going strong after 50 years.