Superstar Rajinikanth’s style and screen presence have remained unmatched for five decades, says producer Lagadapati Sridhar. “He is a real superstar who began his journey from humble beginnings, rose to the top, and has ruled the big screen for 50 years,” Sridhar noted. “I believe his spiritual inclination and quest for inner peace have kept him grounded. His visit to Nepal, for example, expanded his image beyond that of just an onscreen star.” According to Sridhar, Rajinikanth’s speeches in recent years have become life lessons—not just for his legion of fans but also for the general public. “The craze for Coolie in Telugu states reflects his strong following here. He also acted in Telugu films like Tiger with NTR and Annadammula Savaal with Krishna, which made their mark in Andhra Pradesh. Later, his blockbusters like Baasha, Muthu, Padaiyappa, and Chandramukhi minted gold in Telugu states,” he said. Sridhar compared Rajinikanth’s unique personality and mannerisms to legendary comedian Charlie Chaplin. “Many imitators came and went, but their originality was unmatched, which helped them stand apart from the competition. Rajinikanth also conquered Bollywood with hits like Andhaa Kanoon and Geraftaar, but eventually made Tamil Nadu his base. He is the original pan-India star—his films are eagerly awaited not only in South and North India, but also in the US, Europe, Singapore, Japan, and beyond. His fans treat him like a demi-god, and when he comments on films, politics, or social issues, it spreads like wildfire and prompts people to act.” Sridhar observed that while audiences change every decade, Rajinikanth has an unparalleled ability to attract new generations of viewers. “His speeches are humble and honest, which makes his videos go viral and draws mostly positive reactions. Off-screen, he travels like a common man—often spotted at airports with a simple bag. This consistency in both his on-screen and off-screen persona makes him India’s unbeatable superstar,” he said. Only a handful of stars, Sridhar added, continue to make waves even after crossing 60 years of age. “Rajinikanth leads the pack, alongside Chiranjeevi in Telugu cinema and Mammootty in Malayalam cinema—stars who have transcended age and other barriers to retain their stardom and keep every release special for fans worldwide, something many others lack,” he concluded. Another director, Hemanth Madhukar, adds, “He had tough competition from Kamal Haasan in Kollywood for the last five decades. Kamal can do all kinds of roles and also has a mass following too> But Rajinkianth withstood this competition with his anger-driven roles and stylish performances. He chose young directors of every decade and delivered hits and held his fort, which is not a mean achievement,” he adds
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