Rajinikanth is not just an actor. For millions he is a phenomenon a style icon and a screen presence who turns ordinary moments into electric ones. On his 75th birthday there is no better way to celebrate than by watching films that made him a superstar. Here are six films of Rajinikanth, which the fans love and the critics praise, but which nevertheless follow the career of the actor of the strong characters to the undisputable mass hero. Watch these for great performances memorable scenes and that unmistakable Rajini charisma.
Mullum Malarum (1978)
- Director: J. Mahendran
- Cast: Rajinikanth, Shoba, Sarath Babu
This is an intimate character drama about a rough but proud mechanic and his relationship with his sister. The movie covers pride love and the price of anger when the hero experiences emotional disturbances and social pressures. Rajini’s performance is raw and layered showing his ability to play complex human emotion beyond the larger than life heroics he later became famous for.
Mullum Malarum is often cited as the film that announced Rajini as a serious actor. It is a timeless masterpiece that people still return to for its subtlety and strong performances.
Thalapathi (1991)
- Director: Mani Ratnam
- Cast: Rajinikanth, Mammootty, Arvind Swamy, Shobana
The story is loosely based on the Mahabharata where Rajinikanth is presented as a faithful man who is torn between friendship and fate. When he is compelled by fate and politics to fight the story becomes a tragic mighty drama of betrayal of loyalty and the price of power. Every scene is raised by the storytelling of Mani Ratnam and the music of Ilaiyaraaja.
Thalapathi is one of Rajinikanth’s most respected films for critics and fans alike and it demonstrates his diversity within the context of modern epic. It is often listed as one of his best movies.
Baasha (1995)
- Director: Suresh Krissna
- Cast: Rajinikanth, Nagma, Raghuvaran, Janagaraj
Baasha is a story of an average auto driver with an unknown past who has to tell his old identity in order to save his loved ones. The movie combines heart-wrenching action and mass entertaining lines as the protagonist resurfaces to avenge.
Baasha is the template for the modern Rajinikanth mass film, the scene setting delivery and attitude became instant classics and the movie turned into a full blown cult phenomenon among fans. It is still among the most quoted and celebrated Rajini movies.
Muthu (1995)
- Director: K. S. Ravikumar
- Cast: Rajinikanth, Meena, Nagesh, Radharavi
Muthu is a mix of romance family drama and social themes. Rajinikanth plays a loyal servant whose life turns complicated when love and inheritance come into play. The movie combines humor and emotion with glossy song sequences and big screen appeal.
Muthu is a film that people love because it has songs of warmth and also because Rajinikanth can easily be humorous and emotional at the same time. It also showed his cross cultural attraction when it unexpectedly attracted audiences outside Tamil language markets.
Padayappa (1999)
Director: K. S. Ravikumar
Cast: Rajinikanth, Ramya Krishnan, Sivaji Ganesan, Nassar, Soundarya
Padayappa follows the journey of a proud man who rebuilds his life after betrayal. It is a revenge of honour of the family and the gradual restoration of dignity of the hero. The movie is full of memorable scenes, solid performances and iconic moments that are quoted by Rajini fans up to the present date.
Padayappa is a cult film of its people and holds a special position in the filmography of Rajinikanth. The film was given a new wave of attention in 2025 with a theatrical re release coinciding with the 75 th birthday of the superstar making it the best film to watch in order to revisit his best moments.
Enthiran aka Robot (2010)
Director: S. Shankar
Cast: Rajinikanth, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Danny Denzongpa
In this sci fi spectacle Rajinikanth plays both a brilliant scientist and the robot he creates. Things go wrong when the robot develops human emotions and then violent impulses. The movie combines the state of the art production of special effects and a heartwarming story of what it takes to be human.
Enthiran is Rajinikanth’s big scale international style blockbuster. It introduced a new technical ambition to the mainstream cinema in India and is rated highly by review aggregators making it a must watch by the fans who require a combination of spectacle and Rajini style.
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