A SMALL TRIBUTE TO RAJNI SIR PART 3: Following his successful role in MOONDRU MUDICHU, more offers came his way. In 1977, he starred in 8 Tamil films, three Telegu films and one Kannada film - all in villain roles. His first for the year was K.Balachander’s AVARGALL - a film that also enjoyed commercial success. This was followed by KAVIKUYIL and RAGHUPATHI RAAGAVA RAJARAAM - both in Tamil, SILAKAMMA SEPPINDHI in Telegu and S.P.Muthuraman’s BUVANAA ORU KELLVIKURII in Tamil.. This was Rajini’s first film for S.P.Muthuraman. Many more were to follow and many milestones would be crossed. The same year, he starred in Bharathiraja’s debut film, PADHINAARU VAYADHINILEH - a film in which Rajini’s co-stars were Kamalhassan and Sri Devi. Rajini’s portrayal of the villain attracted widespread praise and critical acclaim. It was in this film - co-incidentally his 16th film -that he repeatedly used the phrase “Idhu yeppadi irukku?” - Words forever immortalised. Rajini’s other Tamil films for that year were AADU PULIYAATAM (with Kamalhassa), GAAYATHRI and the box-office winner, AARU PUSHPANGALL. Other films he starred in that year were NYANDHU PREMADHA KADHEH, SAGODHARA SAVAAL, KUNGUMA RAKSHEH and GALAATAA SAMSAARAA in Kannada and THOLIREYI KADISINDHI in Telegu. By the end of 1977, Rajinikanth had earned himself a place in the hearts of audiences through his creative portrayals and innovative style in his dialogue delivery, his mannerisms and especially his fight scenes. In 1978 he appeared in SHANKER SALEEM SIMON. This was followed by KILLAADI KITTU in Kannada and ANNADAM MULA SAVAAL in Telegu. His 24th film was another Tamil film, AAYIRAM JENMANGALL. Then came MAATHU THAPPIDHA MAGAA in Kannada and MAANGUDI MINOR in Tamil. It was that same year - 1978 - that he was given his big break when, for the first time, he was cast in the lead role of the film BHAIRAVI. The film was a huge hit and opened up a new world to Rajinikanth. It was in this film that he became known as Superstar. From this point onwards, his career spiralled upwards at break-neck speed - but with success came a very high personal price. With the success of BHAIRAVI, Rajinikanth was once again cast in a major role in ILLAMAI OONJALAADUGIRADHU, a film in which he co-starred with Kamalhassan and Shri Priya. The film enjoyed rave reviews and Rajini’s performance received special mention. This film was also nominated that year for BEST FILM. Rajini’s 29th film, SADHURANGAM, was a moderate hit, as was his 30th film, VANNAKUTHUKURIYA KAADHALIYE. His 31st film, VAYASU PILLISINDHI, in Telegu, was better received. It was in his 32nd film MULLUM MALARUM that he attracted unprecedented praise from critics and fans alike. For the first time starring under Balu Mahendra’s direction, Rajinikanth - together with Balu’s wife, Shoba who played the female lead - put together a magical performance. This film went on to have a record rum and suddenly, even the sceptics, began to look at Rajini in a new light. He had eventually proven that he was an actor with more than style and smart mannerisms, a talented character actor, capable of portraying even challenging, complex characters. To a lesser degree, Rajini displayed this talent in his 33rd film as well, IRRAIVAN KODUTHA VARAM - in Tamil. Then came Rajini’s two successive hits; Balachander’s THAPPIDHA THAALLA in Kannada, soon followed by its Tamil remake THAPPU THAALANGALL - an emotionally explosive movie in which Rajini starred opposite Saritha. Critical acclaim came again and deservedly so. This was soon followed by another critically acclaimed role in K.Balachander’s AVALL APADITHAAN. Still in 1978, his 37th film was his first film for the famous production company, Devar Films. This was a western movie titled THAAI MEEDHU SATHIYAM, in which he starred opposite Shri Priya. This was purely a masala entertainer with a low budget and little substance. Nevertheless, it did enjoy a good run on the cine circuit. This was followed by another moderate hit, YEN KELLVIKKU YENNA BADHIL. His penultimate film for 1978 was a momentous one - at least for Rajinikanth - as it was the first film in which he co-starred with the great Sivaji Ganesan. The film was JUSTICE GOPINATH, another family entertainer with little substance that went on to enjoy a good run. Rajini’s 40th film - his last for 1978 - was a big budget entertainer with an unusual story - the film? PRIYA - filmed on location in Singapore and Hong Kong and a film in which Rajini co-starred with Sri Devi. It was one of the very few Tamil films where the lead actor and actress did not play a romantic pair. In many ways, 1978 represented a turning point for Rajinikanth. In that year alone, he had starred in 21 films. While this represented good tidings for his blossoming career, it spelt serious trouble for his personal life. His increased work load meant that he had to often work sixteen to eighteen hours non-stop and, eventually, this began to take its toll on him. He could not handle the increased pressure of his work and his fame, the long hours of work and concentration and working through sleepiness and fatigue.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 15:58:37 +0000