Rajnikanth’s best non-action roles: From negative characters to supporting performances

Dubai: Rajnikanth, who transformed from a bus conductor into one of Indian cinema’s biggest icons, is celebrating 50 years in films with the release of Coolie on Thursday. I had the chance to see him a few times at the Guru Raghavendra temple in Triplicane in the heart of Chennai. Every Thursday, he would visit the temple, and I even saw him once with his wife Latha.

As a young kid, his style always endeared him to us. Among friends, debates between Rajni fans and Kamal fans would go on endlessly — each side pointing out the other’s strengths and weaknesses. While we friends were fighting, Rajnikanth, many years later, narrated how he and Kamal, who were good friends, would keep their backs to each other during the shoot of Ninaithale Inikkum and quietly worry about their futures. The fans fought, but they were friends. This was a time when Doordarshan was the only television channel, bringing the community together on certain evenings, alongside the daily newspapers.

Larger-than-life screen presence

I’ve followed his journey closely — from his early days to his transformation into a superstar with grand cinematic entries and all the paraphernalia associated with his films. This marked a gigantic shift in focus from storylines to his larger-than-life screen presence. Some of these ventures clicked — Baashha being the prime example — while others like Pandiyan didn’t. But whether a hit or flop, the conversation was always about Rajnikanth.

For me, his rise as a superstar began with Billa (a remake of Amitabh Bachchan’s Don), marking the era of dual roles and the “Superstar” tag. But my favourite performances are not from his big action-hero blockbusters. They are from his supporting or negative roles, and the occasional exception like Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai (From 6 to 60), where he portrayed the struggles of a poor family man trying to make ends meet to becoming an award-winning writer, and Mullum Malarum (Even a thorn will blossom), where he delivered one of his finest performances.

Even brief appearances showcased his acting depth — like Alex Pandian in Moondru Mugam, where he played three different characters. After Billa, there were still films where his acting took centre stage, though they became rare. Nallavanukku Nallavan, Mannan — in which he even sang a song — and Annamalai are fine examples before his films increasingly carried political overtones.

Among my top picks is 16 Vayathinile. Directed by Bharathirajaa, it’s considered a cult classic and a landmark in Tamil cinema, breaking away from traditional storytelling. Alongside Annakili (1976), it was a trendsetter for realistic portrayals of rural life. The cast — Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Rajnikanth, Goundamani — combined with Ilayaraja’s music and performances by SP Balasubrahmanyam and S Janaki (who won the National Award for Best Female Playback Singer), made it unforgettable. A film with at least eight legends in the making — not just actors, but the director, composer, and singers too!

A proof to his versatility

Then there’s Mullum Malarum, where Rajnikanth’s portrayal of Kaali — a headstrong man who loses his left hand in an accident — remains one of his most emotionally charged performances. As the abusive husband in Avargal, he was equally compelling. Moondru Moodichu offered another classic anti-hero turn, while Aval Appadithan and Bhuvana Oru Kelvikuri (where he played a positive role opposite Sivakumar’s anti-hero) further showed his versatility.

The best of Rajni’s acting came out in the K. Balachander-directed Thillu Mullu, a remake of the Hindi classic Gol Maal. Rajni was at his effortless best, excelling in the contrasting roles of Indiran and Chandran, blending comedy, charm, and timing that reminded audiences he was more than just a stylish hero.

For me, these films remind us that before the larger-than-life superstar, there was an actor of remarkable range — one who could breathe life into heroes, villains, and everything in between.