This is what makes Rajinikanth a superstar: he doesn't have six-pack abs, a chiseled jawline, or immaculate selfies on Instagram.
In fact, if you use the conventional standards for today's "mass" heroes, like being young, having a chiseled face, and doing dazzling dance movements, he technically "lacks" all of them. But in the world of Indian movies, no one else comes close to his aura.
So, what makes him the Superstar? Let's take it apart:
1. A style that can't be copied
It's not only the way he flips his shades or plays with cigarettes that makes Rajinikanth's style unique. It's the way he walks. He has his own way of doing everything, from gestures to pauses to looks. People don't watch him perform; they watch him be himself. And no modern performer can copy that without looking like a joke.
2. The story of the underdog becoming an icon
He didn't come from a family of actors or have famous people in the business as his godfathers. Before he started acting, he worked as a bus conductor in Bangalore. Fans can relate to his accomplishment because it seems like he earned it.
3. Connect with a lot of people like no one else
Rajinikanth's on-screen persona is based on being humble, loyal, and standing up for the little guy—values that Indian audiences can relate to. In his movies, he's never "just a hero." He's a bigger-than-life savior.
4. The brand that goes beyond movies
His fame isn't only about how many tickets he sells. Fans pour milk on his cutouts and do rituals for the success of his movies because of his political power, cultural identity, and a kind of mass adoration.
5. Charisma that is always there
It has been decades since he died, and generations of actors have come and gone, but his presence still lights up theaters. You may not recall every plot, but you do remember every time with Rajini.
To put it simply, Rajinikanth breaks the "rules" of being a star. He doesn't have the flashy things that heroes do these days, but he does have something that no one else can have: a once-in-a-lifetime charisma that makes him irreplaceable.
War 2 vs. Coolie: A Big Day for Telugu Stars Nagarjuna and Jr. NTR
Telugu movie fans will get a double dose of fun tomorrow as two of the most anticipated movies, War 2 and Coolie, come out in theaters around the world. Both are dubbed releases, but the buzz in Telugu states is electrifying since two of the most popular Telugu actors are playing career-defining roles.
Nagarjuna Akkineni has never played a full-fledged bad guy in his long and successful career of 40 years—until now. In Lokesh Kanagaraj's Coolie, he plays "Simon," a character so interesting that even Rajinikanth said he would have liked to play it instead of his own role, Deva.
According to reports, Lokesh only saw Nagarjuna as Simon, which made people even more excited. Fans can't wait to watch how the smooth star becomes a scary villain next to the Superstar.
At the same time, War 2 marks a big moment for Jr NTR: his first big role in Bollywood. Tarak is moving into new ground by playing a bad guy with Hrithik Roshan. At the occasion before the movie came out, he said that producer Aditya Chopra told him to "just trust him" and pledged to make his fans proud.
Also Read: Did you know Aamir Khan and Rajinikanth worked together before Coolie in 1995? Watch viral scene
Fans are waiting calmly for the storm to break because of that promise and Tarak's confident "double collar" moment on stage.
August 14 is a day to remember for Telugu movie fans because both movies are firsts: Nagarjuna's first role as a villain and Jr. NTR's first Bollywood movie. By this time tomorrow, everyone will know how much these two actors have changed the way they act on the big screen
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