Superstar Rajinikant at 70: Celebrating his on-screen style

As South Indian superstar Rajinikanth turns 70 on December 12, political leaders and top Indian stars have taken pause to wish their best to the actor. Fans thronged his residence, even as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the birthday wishes for the megastar.

While Rajinikanth took this month to finally launch his political party in January 2021 ending years of suspense and speculation, fans continued to celebrate the ‘Thalaiva Vaazhga’ (Leader livelong).

Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad on December 12, 1950 he was renamed Rajinikanth by Tamil filmmaker K Balachander for the 1975 film, ‘Apoorva Raagangal’. There has been no looking back for the actor since. On the occasion of his birthday, we take a look at some of those moves that have continued to entertain fans through the decades.

Flipping the cigarette: First seen in 1976’s Moondru Mudichu, the actor would continue this in films to come, including lighting a cigarette with his eyes and using a loaded gun.

The swagger: In the early days, when Rajinikanth was still playing a two-bit villain in his films, the walk would become his signature style. In each passing film, the swagger only became more pronounced. Don’t believe us? Check out his films from Baashha (1995) to Kabali (2016).

Swinging his sunglasses: Why simply wear goggles when you can roll them a few times before snapping it on your face? First spotted in 1979’s Dharma Yuddam, there are YouTube tutorials today teaching fans how to ape Rajinikanth’s style.

The hair toss: Rajinikanth doesn’t need a stylist; he doesn’t even need a comb. A flip of his head and the hair simply falls into place with panache. Resembling a lion’s mane, so popular has been this hairstyle of his that it has hardly ever been changed through the decades in film.

Signature salute: He may have done this innumerable times, but it was 1999’s Padayappa that really brought Rajinikanth’s signature salute into the limelight where he flipped his hand in a circular motion before bringing it to his forehead.

The side-greeting: While traditionally, Indians fold their hands in front of their face or chest by way of greeting, Rajinikanth adds his own personal touch to the traditional method by moving his hands to the right or left of his chin. So popular was this unique way of greeting that not only did his films ape the style on screen, but even his fans started mimicking the same.

Bounce that bubblegum: The bubblegum bounce became an overnight sensation after Rajinikanth was spotted doing this in ‘Sivaji – The Boss’. The scene in question sees Sivaji on an escalator, when he decided to reach for his gum, which bounces off the palm of his hand and lands perfectly into his mouth.

Flipping the ‘mel thundu’: Camera reruns simply cannot get enough of the way Rajnikanth flips his stole or the ‘mel thundu’ that remains nestled on his shoulder. While the origin of the move is difficult to trace, it has been visible in many of the actor’s films, including his recent, ‘Kaala’