When Rajinikanth spoke about the time he worked as a bus conductor, says 'I used to impress women by flipping my hair'

In a candid revelation during a cultural show organised by the Nadigar Sangam in 2018, Rajinikanth shared fascinating insights into the origins of his unique style. Recalling his earlier days before entering cinema, he spoke of his time working as a bus conductor in Bengaluru.

Despite his later fame, Rajinikanth’s signature moves and fashionable flair were not born on film sets but rather in his everyday life, long before he became a screen legend.

“Naturally, I am a stylish person," Rajinikanth remarked, adding that his flair for fashion developed during his days as a bus conductor. He explained that while it typically took about 30 minutes for a conductor to hand out tickets, he could do it in just ten, demonstrating his natural speed and efficiency.

But it wasn’t just his quickness that set Rajinikanth apart. His natural style was something that emerged from the environment he worked in, where the dynamics between men and women on public buses played a role.

In his recollection, he said, "In those days, women used to sit in the front rows, and the men used to sit in the back rows in Karnataka buses. Generally, the conductor would finish giving the tickets and stay in the back. But I used to stand right in the front."

He further shared how his long hair, combined with the breeze from the bus, led to one of his now-iconic moves. "I used to have a lot of hair, and when the breeze rustled through it, and it started getting unruly, I would just flip my hair back in place."

This simple but stylish gesture became an integral part of his persona, even before he embarked on his film career.

HOW DID RAJINIKANTH'S BUS CONDUCTOR CAREER TRANSFORM INTO A FILM CAREER

Rajinikanth also spoke about how his style and speed were noticed by others, particularly by director K. Balachander, who became a pivotal figure in his transition from a bus conductor to a cinematic icon. Balachander, who introduced Rajinikanth to the Tamil film industry with his 1975 film Aboorva Ragangal, recognised the actor’s distinctiveness early on.

Rajinikanth recounted the advice Balachander gave him: “He told me to hold on to this aspect of my persona very dearly. He warned that the cinema industry will ask me to change to conform to the already established standards, and urged me to never change. ‘This is new… maintain it,’ was what he said, and that’s exactly what I have been doing."

This commitment to staying authentic to his personal style has not only helped Rajinikanth carve out a niche for himself in the world of cinema but also allowed him to evolve into a larger-than-life figure beloved by fans across the globe.

The very qualities that made him stand out as a bus conductor—his effortless charm, sense of style, and ability to captivate an audience—are the same qualities that continue to resonate with his fans today.

Rajinikanth's career is a testament to the power of individuality. He has never been afraid to stand apart from the crowd, and in doing so, he has become a symbol of resilience and originality in an industry where conformity is often the norm.

His journey from a bus conductor to one of the biggest film stars in the world is an extraordinary story of success, one that continues to inspire not only aspiring actors but also anyone who seeks to stay true to their own unique path.

RAJINIKANTH'S FIVE DECADE FILM JOURNEY

Today, as he celebrates over five decades in the industry, Rajinikanth remains the quintessential superstar, and his influence extends far beyond the silver screen. His style, both on and off-screen, continues to inspire and entertain millions, ensuring that he will remain an enduring cultural icon for many years to come.

His fans, both old and new, continue to look up to him not just for his acting but for the authenticity and consistency he has maintained throughout his career, a true testament to the power of individuality and style in cinema.