It is said that December 12 in the land south of the Vindhyas is bigger than Diwali and Christmas put together. Fans will be out on the streets hugging and wishing one another ‘Happy Thalaivar Day,’ as mammoth posters and cut-outs of the Boss look on benignly. The outpouring of enormous love for the indisputable leader remains unchanged, even if he delivers a string of flops, or stays away from the screen due to a bout of ill-health. They don’t make them like Rajinikanth anymore and the zillion fans won’t let you forget it!

On the superstar’s 67^th birthday, we revisit the qualities that crown him Thalaiva…

Super Swag!

His deadly one-liners and his unique and mind-blowing style moves have rendered thousands his slaves for life. Who can unerringly flip a cigarette straight into his mouth, like Rajini can? His unique salute, the ‘lightning speed’ walk, the way he spins his shades, crosses his legs while sitting, tosses his hair before he delivers a loaded dialogue, or twirl a gamcha like a nunchaku, are the stuff of legend.

The Un-Common Man

Legendary filmmaker K Balachandran had done away with his original name – Shivaji Rao Gaekwad – and rechristened him Rajinikanth. The name is imbued with suggestion – it means Colour of Night. Rajinikanth was the first dark-skinned man to be a hero. That is a huge achievement at a time when swarthy-complexioned males were invariably cast in roles of ugly villainy.

Rajini became that confidence-booster for the masses, showing them that one just like them could also be the hero, who fights, loves and wins in life. What’s more, he played characters like a coolie, farmer, waiter and auto rickshaw driver, making a mockery of the corrupt and the wealthy. It didn’t take long for him to come to represent the aspirations, the issues, and the dreams of the working-class.

Pioneer, Innovator

He made his debut in a black and white film in 1975, and since then he has been spearheading innovative technologies in filmmaking and contributing to the industry’s growth. He was the first Indian actor to star in an animated film, Kochadaiyaan, which was shot using motion capture technology.

His sci-fi film, Enthiran 2.0 is the first Indian film to be shot directly in the 3D format. Only Thalaiva would be able to inspire the producers to spend an eye-watering Rs.400 crore to make one film!