It is not always that one comes across an actor and a star with such a crazy and devoted fan following as Rajinikanth. The man who started out playing an antagonist in many of earlier films, particularly the ones helmed by director K Balachander, has today metamorphosed into an entertainer beyond compare, at least for his devout fans. That flipping of the cigarette, that signature style of wearing his glasses… forget the fan boys, even the seemingly discerning cinema-goer can’t hide a smile.
On his 64th birthday, we take you through some of his iconic dialogues.
1Kanna Panningadhaan Kootamaa Varum, Singham Single Aaa Dhaan Varum (Pigs come in groups, lion attacks alone!) - Sivaji the Boss (2007)
Surrounded by the henchmen of a powerful villain in a scene in Sivaji The Boss, outnumbered by a vast margin, Rajini anna delivered a classic punch line. As a result, 30-odd men go flying in the air, a fist fight ensues where Rajinikanth’s character jumps, kicks, summersault, makes a flying assault… and is thoroughly entertaining.
Naan Oru Dhadava Sonna Nooru Dhadava Sonna Maadhiri (When I say once, it is equal to 100 times) – Baashha (1995)
When Rajinikanth speaks, the world listens. And well, the world better be alert because when boss speaks once, it is equal to a hundred times. Playing an auto-rickshaw guy who rises to the summit with single-minded devotion and grit, this dialogue packed in the punch which had crowds clapping in appreciation.
When Rajinikanth speaks, the world listens. And well, the world better be alert because when boss speaks once, it is equal to a hundred times. Playing an auto-rickshaw guy who rises to the summit with single-minded devotion and grit, this dialogue packed in the punch which had crowds clapping in appreciation.
3 Poda Andavane Namapakam Irukan (God is on my side) - Padayappa (1999)
Padayappa is the story of a man, down and out thanks to the death of his father, but his luck changes and lady luck smiles on him only to change with equal ferocity later. Nothing sums up his ‘destiny’s favourite child’ tag as this dialogue. Claps and more claps follow…
4 Naan Solradaiyum Seiven, Soladadeiyum Seiven (I'll do what I say, I'll also do what I don't say) - Annamalai (1992)
In what is considered a cult classic in Tamil Nadu, Annamalai traces the rise of a man from a poor background to great fortune, achieved only with discipline and focus. If anything, this dialogue reflects the fierce determination of the man with a will to succeed like nothing else.
5Andavan Solrar Arunachalam Seiran (God commands it, Arunachalam obeys) - Arunachalam (1997)
Yet another tale of a poor man who chances upon great fortune, Arunachalam’s iconic dialogue sums up the character’s predicament pretty well. By a strange quirk of destiny, Arunachalam discovers that he is the inheritor to a multi-crore fortune but there are three caveats attached. Nothing fits better than this dialogue on the ways of the divine.