It is 50 years since the incredible actor of Indian cinema debuted on the silver screen. In 1975, a lean, sharp-featured newcomer named Rajinikanth debuted in Tamil cinema with K. Balachander’s Apoorva Raagangal, where he played a small role opposite the established Kamal Hassan. The film never seemed to be his first film. The newcomer managed to disrupt the order. Apoorva Raagangal shattered norms with its bold storytelling. It also introduced a name that, over the next 50 years, would define Tamil cinema itself. Rajinikanth is an actor whose popularity is so great that audiences cheer loudly even when his name alone is shown on screen. The entire film fraternity pours in heartfelt wishes and tributes, celebrating the enduring legacy of the iconic “Thalaivar.”
Rajinikanth has completed 50 years in the film industry, marking his golden jubilee as an actor. From all corners of Indian cinema, wishes and tributes have been pouring in to celebrate the superstar’s milestone. Recently, actor Silambarasan TR took to social media to congratulate Rajinikanth, a moment that coincides with the release of the latter’s latest film, Coolie.
“Fifty years… and the arangam still roars for Thalaivar! Congratulations Rajinikanth sir on 50 legendary years in cinema. Keep inspiring and shining. Wishing you and the entire team of Coolie for a grand success,” Silambarasan wrote. He also shared a picture with Rajinikanth.
The tribute comes alongside the release of Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, which has sparked huge excitement in Kerala and beyond. In the state, the film has already surpassed the opening day advance ticket sales of Mohanlal’s blockbuster Thudarum, collecting over Rs 6.62 crore from pre-sales. This strong start positions Coolie to become Kerala’s second-biggest opener of 2025, just behind L2: Empuraan. It has also broken Rajinikanth’s personal box office record in the state, previously held by Jailer.
Rajnikanth’s Charm
Rajinikanth’s charm and appeal continue to win over audiences even today. His effortless style and unique presence have been central to his long and successful career, attracting fans from different generations. His strong and loyal fan base reflects his lasting popularity, while his kind and inspiring words off-screen have helped him connect with people on a deeper level.
Mahavatar Babaji And Kriya Yoga
Beyond the silver screen, Rajinikanth has a deep devotion to Mahavatar Babaji, the “deathless” yogi of the Himalayas. He first learned about Babaji in 1999, after the success of his film Padaiyappa, through Paramahansa Yogananda’s book Autobiography of a Yogi. While reading it, he had a mystical experience — a “light spark” appeared from Babaji’s image, inspiring him to follow Kriya Yoga, a practice he credits with transforming his personal and professional life. This devotion inspired his 2002 film Baba, a tribute to his guru, though it flopped commercially. Rajinikanth regularly visits Babaji’s cave near Dunagiri in Uttarakhand to meditate before major film releases, including Jailer and now Coolie, and in 2017, he donated a meditation center there for devotees. His spiritual bond with Babaji, rooted in Tamil Nadu’s Parangipettai, where the yogi was reportedly born, also influenced his brief political venture, with the apana mudra, symbolising detoxification, as his party emblem. Rajinikanth’s reverence for Mahavatar Babaji remains a guiding force, blending his cinematic legend with profound spiritual depth.
Rajnikanth- Family
Rajinikanth, whose real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, was born on December 12, 1950, in Bangalore, Karnataka, to a Marathi family with roots in Tamil Nadu. He is the youngest of four siblings. His father, Ramoji Rao Gaekwad, worked as a police constable, and his mother, Jijabai, was a homemaker who passed away when he was nine. After her death, his elder brothers, Satyanarayana Rao and Nageshwara Rao, along with his sister, Aswath Balubhai, took care of him. On February 26, 1981, Rajinikanth married Latha Rangachari in Tirupati after meeting her during a college magazine interview. Latha, a playback singer, producer, and founder of The Ashram school in Chennai, has been a strong support in his life. The couple has two daughters, Aishwarya and Soundarya. Soundarya, born in 1984, is a filmmaker known for Kochadaiiyaan and is married to Vishagan Vanangamudi. She has a son, Ved Krishna, from her first marriage to Ashwin Ramkumar.
