15 Rajinikanth films that are a must-watch

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Actor Rajinikanth or Superstar Rajinikanth (as he is popularly known) turns 67 today and like every year on December 12, today was no less than a fan-fare. As the larger-than-life actor gets celebrated everywhere, we decided to take a look at some of his best work from the last two-decades that which contributed to the "actor" in him, beyond his reigning status at Tamil cinema's box-office.

 

Mullum Malarum (1978)

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This was a breakthrough film in Rajinikanth's career as it established him as a full-time hero. Rajinikanth's role as Kaali, who gets into a dispute with his superior, eventually loosing his arm is to-date considered a milestone in the history if Tamil cinema. The film was dubbed in Telugu as Mullu Puvvu and later remade in Malayalam as  Venalil Oru Mazha (1979) and in Hindi as Pyari Behna (1985).

Thillu Mullu (1981)

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Besides being a remake of Bollywood's Golmaal (1979), Thillu Mullu was a film that saw Rajini in a full-fledged comedy role. His iconic portayal of Aiyampettai Arivudainambi Kaliyaperumal Chandran leaves one in splits even today. Fun fact - Rajini met his now-wife Latha at the sets of Thillu Mullu, when she had come to interview him for a college magazine. 

Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai (1979)

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Another one of Rajini's originals that inspired a Telugu (Maharaju) and Kannada (Poorna Chandra) remake, Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai brought out the acting chops of Rajinikanth as he portrayed an eldest son of a poor family, around whose life struggles, the film chronicled. The S.P. Muthuramam directorial was one of the firsts to establish Rajini in a matured role.

 

Netrikann (1981)

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Netrikann had Rajini in a dual role (for reals unlike Thillu Mullu) of a womaniser father and a disciplined son. The level of contrast in the dual role, unique characterisations and Rajini's yet another matured balance act catapulted the film to be one of his best performances. One of the songs from this film, "Theeradha Vilaiayttu Pillai" was remixed in 2010 for a Vishal-starrer of the same name. 

Johnny (1980)

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Another one of Rajini's dual-roled films, Johnny unlike its title was a not about a single man. The film had an emotional background that touched infidelity, rage, love, deceit and a lot more. 

Billa (1980)

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Though a remake of Amitabh Bachchan starrer Don (1978), Rajinikanth starrer Billa was such an iconic gangster movies of its times that it had remakes of its own with Ajith in 2007. Rajini as the feared don Billa and the innocent look-alike Rajappa established him as one of the indisputable stars in the commercial arena. 

Moondru Mugam (1982)

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Moondru Mugam was one of the firsts in Tamil cinema to have the lead playing a triple role and Rajinikanth's portrayal of the ruthless police officer Alex Pandian, proves to be an inspiration for many even today (including the recent recreation of the scene where Alex Pandian vows to the villain to be re-born again as he takes his last breath in Vijay's Mersal).

Thalapathi (1991)

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This Mani Ratnam-Ilayaraja-Rajini combo-ed film was so friendship pedestal-ed that its songs were viewed as friendship anthems and its dialogues were subjected to numerous friendship related memes. The film was about intricate relationships and Rajini's avatar as a Mani Ratnam hero was nothing less of emotionally mature.

Muthu (1995)

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Though a remake film, Muthu launched the super-stardom of Rajinikanth at an international level as well. Rajinikanth's swag in a rural avatar was something that swooned the audience not only in India but also at Japan.

 

Annamalai (1992)

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Rajinikanth's portrayal of a humble milk-man who rises to the level of a five-star hotel owner paved the way for many rags-to-riches stories through one song. His punch dialogues as a friend who feels betrayed by another continues to find its usage even today among his fans. 

 

Mannan (1992)

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Mannan saw Rajini as a happy simpleton who as circumstances would have it, ends up marrying his head-strong factory owner. His portrayal of a hardworking welder, obedient son, a lost lover and a misunderstood husband won him many accolades for this P. Vasu directorial.

 

Baashha (1995)

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Baashha with its gangster background, thought provoking lyrical songs and cult status, is one of the most popular action films of Rajinikanth. The rivalry between Manik Baasha (Rajini) and Mark Antony (villain Raghuvaran) is so iconic that it is often referenced in pop culture trend.

Padayappa (1999)

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To say that the Padayappa (Rajini) - Neelambari (Ramya Krishnan) rivalry is as iconic as the Baasha - Antony rivalry wouldn't be a stretch. The only difference though was while in Baasha it was a war over power, here it was a war of love. Be it the scene where Rajini pulls down a swing for him to sit on or his dialogue of where men's greed and women's anger should be, Padayappa never gets old for its viewers. 

Enthiran (2010)

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One of Indian cinema's revolutionary science fiction films, Enthiran saw Rajini as a genuis scientist and a capable-of-anything Chitti, the Robot. The film set a bench-mark for the use of prosthetic-makeup and animatronics to a whole new level. 

Kabali (2016)

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Kabali saw the return of Rajinikanth as a gangster, only this time at an overseas location. It also saw the return of Rajinikanth's emotional acting (under Pa. Ranjith's direction), that was missing in his films in the 1995-2015 era.