Rajinikanth's breakthrough occurred when the influential filmmaker noticed him for "Apoorva Raagangal".
Born as Sivaji Rao Gaekwad, Rajinikanth faced hardships but found solace in performing arts.
K. Balachander rechristened him to avoid confusion with another actor, shaping his cinematic journey.
"Apoorva Raagangal" marked Rajinikanth's impactful debut despite facing off against "Sholay".
He broke the typecasting mold with films like "Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri".
Rajinikanth's reach expanded as he ventured into Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films.
Notable performances in "Bairavi" and "Mullum Malarum" reshaped Tamil cinema trends.
The surprising announcement of retirement in 1979 left audiences curious about his future.
Within five years, Rajinikanth featured in over 50 films, showcasing his swift ascent in the industry.
Despite early hardships, Rajinikanth's journey set a precedent for aspiring actors and left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.