Editing Rajinikanth (section)

==Acting career==
{{Main|Rajinikanth filmography}}
=== 1974–1977: Early career ===
{{quote box
| quote = "Rajinikanth claims that I am his school. But I must admit that this wasn't the Rajinikanth I introduced. He has evolved on his own merits and strengths. I gave him an opportunity and unveiled him to the world. He went and conquered it."
| source = — K. Balachander about Rajinikanth{{Sfn|Hindu|2012|p=12}}
| align = right
| width = 25em
}}

Rajinikanth began his film career with the Tamil film ''[[Apoorva Raagangal]]'' (1975), directed by [[K. Balachander]].<ref name="firstbreak">{{Cite news |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/12/12/super-star-rajnikanth-turns-61-fans-celebrates-enthusiastically |title=Super Star Rajnikanth turns 61: Fans celebrates enthusiastically |last=Sathyalaya Ramakrishnan |date=13 December 2010 |work=Asian Tribune |access-date=18 June 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215013133/http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/12/12/super-star-rajnikanth-turns-61-fans-celebrates-enthusiastically |archive-date=15 December 2010}}</ref> He was cast in a small role as the ex-husband of the female lead played by [[Srividya]].<ref name=firstbreak/><ref name="pioneer">{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/sunday-edition/agenda/150th-anniversary-issue/the-other-rajinikanth.html |title=The other Rajinikanth |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=5 January 2014 |work=[[The Pioneer (India)|The Pioneer]] |access-date=5 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418113701/http://www.dailypioneer.com/sunday-edition/agenda/150th-anniversary-issue/the-other-rajinikanth.html |archive-date=18 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="express">{{Cite news |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/fans-celebrate-rajinikanths-61st-birthday/723665/ |title=Fans celebrate Rajinikanth's 61st birthday |last=C Raja Mohan |date=12 December 2010 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=23 April 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120060826/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/fans-celebrate-rajinikanths-61st-birthday/723665 |archive-date=20 January 2011}}</ref> The film explored [[Age disparity in sexual relationships|relationships between people with wide age differences]] and was deemed controversial upon release.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/experiments-in-tamil-cinema/photostory/29651841.cms |title=Experiments in Tamil cinema&nbsp;— Apoorva Raagangal (1975) |work=The Times of India |access-date=5 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509033249/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/Experiments-in-Tamil-cinema/photostory/29651841.cms |archive-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> However, it received critical acclaim and won three [[National Film Awards]] including the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil|Award for the Best Tamil Feature]] at the [[23rd National Film Awards]] in 1976.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm23rdNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=23NFA.pdf |title=23rd National Film Awards |publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526091043/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm23rdNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=23NFA.pdf |archive-date=26 May 2011 |access-date=23 April 2011}}</ref> A review from ''[[The Hindu]]'' noted that, "Newcomer Rajinikanth is dignified and impressive."{{Sfn|Hindu|2012|p=67}} His next release was [[Puttanna Kanagal]]'s Kannada [[anthology film]] ''[[Katha Sangama (1976 film)|Katha Sangama]]'' (1976).<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2008101851261100.htm&date=2008/10/18/&prd=mp& |title=Blast from the past: Naagarahaavu- 1972 |date=18 October 2008 |work=The Hindu |access-date=5 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110055318/http://hindu.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2008101851261100.htm&date=2008%2F10%2F18%2F&prd=mp& |archive-date=10 November 2012}}</ref> Rajinikanth appeared in the last segment of the film; he played the role as a village ruffian who rapes a blind woman in the absence of her husband.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 3}} Balachander cast him in a pivotal role in ''[[Anthuleni Katha]]'' (1976), the [[Telugu language|Telugu]] remake of his own Tamil film ''[[Aval Oru Thodar Kathai]]'' (1974).{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 3}} In ''[[Moondru Mudichu]]''{{em dash}}the first Tamil film to feature him in a prominent role{{em dash}}he played a character that "blithely row[s] away" when his friend drowns accidentally in the lake only to fulfill his desire to marry the former's girlfriend.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 4}} His style of flipping the cigarette in the film made him popular among the audience.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-12-19/news/35912468_1_new-flavours-asin-rajinikanth |title=Mirinda advertisement: Can Asin match the charisma of Rajinikanth, Sridevi and Kamal Hassan |last=Chamikutty |first=Preethi |date=19 December 2012 |work=The Economic Times |access-date=7 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005011059/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-12-19/news/35912468_1_new-flavours-asin-rajinikanth |archive-date=5 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In his final release of the year, ''[[Baalu Jenu]]'', he was cast as the main antagonist who troubles the female lead.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 3}} He played similar roles in Balachander's ''[[Avargal]]'' (1977),<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2011/04/10/stories/2011041050170800.htm |title=We will miss you, Sujatha |last=Malathi Rangarajan |date=10 April 2011 |access-date=23 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810024423/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2011/04/10/stories/2011041050170800.htm |archive-date=10 August 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> and [[Bharathiraja]]'s ''[[16 Vayathinile|16 Vayadhinile]]'' (1977).{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 3}}<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/815331.aspx |title=Return of Rajinikanth |date=22 February 2012 |work=The Hindustan Times |access-date=5 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140205182315/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/815331.aspx |archive-date=5 February 2014}}</ref> The same year, he made his first-ever appearance as a lead actor in the Telugu film ''[[Chilakamma Cheppindi]]'' (1977), which earned him his only nomination for the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-specials-9-life-lessons-to-learn-from-rajinikanth/20121212.htm#3 |title=Success has humble beginnings |date=12 December 2012 |work=Rediff.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225021844/http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-specials-9-life-lessons-to-learn-from-rajinikanth/20121212.htm |archive-date=25 February 2013 |access-date=24 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/04/stories/2010090464702000.htm |title=Fusion of culture at celebrity wedding |last=Srinivasan |first=Meera |date=4 September 2010 |access-date=22 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020140220/http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/04/stories/2010090464702000.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=20 October 2011}}</ref> [[S. P. Muthuraman]] experimented Rajinikanth in a positive role in ''[[Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri]]'' (1977).<ref name="rediff1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/dec/22muthu.htm |title=Rajini acts in front of the camera, never behind it |last=Rajitha |date=22 December 1999 |work=Rediff.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107121339/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/dec/22muthu.htm |archive-date=7 January 2017 |access-date=14 June 2011}}</ref> The success of the film brought the duo together for 24 more films till the 1990s.<ref name="rediff1" /> Rajinikanth played supporting and "villainous" roles in most of the films released during the year.{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 4}} In ''[[Gaayathri]]'' he was cast as a pornographer who secretly films his relationship with his wife without her knowledge and in ''[[Galate Samsara]]'' he played the role of a married man who develops an affair with a [[Cabaret|cabaret dancer]].{{Sfn|Ramachandran|2012|loc=chpt. 5}} He had 15 of his films released during the year.{{Sfn|Sreekanth|2008|p=370}}

=== 1978–1989: Experimentation and breakthrough ===
In 1978, Rajinikanth had 20 releases across Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.{{Sfn |Ramachandran |2012 |loc=chpt. 6}}{{Sfn |Sreekanth |2008 |pp=369–370}} His first film of the year was [[P. Madhavan]]'s ''[[Shankar Salim Simon]]'', in which he was among the three leads. Following that, he co-starred alongside [[Vishnuvardhan (actor)|Vishnuvardhan]] in the [[Kannada cinema|Kannada film]] ''[[Kiladi Kittu]]''. He played the second lead in ''[[Annadammula Savaal]]'', which starred [[Krishna Ghattamaneni|Krishna]]; Rajinikanth reprised his role from the [[Sahodarara Savaal|Kannada original]]. He then played an important role in the supernatural thriller ''[[Aayiram Jenmangal]]''. In ''[[Maathu Tappada Maga]]'', he was the main antagonist. ''[[Bairavi]]'', directed by [[M. Bhaskar]], was the first Tamil film to cast Rajinikanth as a solo hero.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/rajinikanth-top-films-19150.html |title=40 years of Superstar Rajinikanth: His top movies |date=19 August 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703200749/http://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/rajinikanth-top-films-19150.html |archive-date=3 July 2015 |publisher=[[India TV]]}}</ref>{{Sfn |Ramachandran |2012 |loc=chap. 6}} It was for this film that he earned the sobriquet "Superstar".{{Sfn |Ramachandran |2012 |loc=chap. 6}} [[S. Thanu]], one of the film's distributors, set up a {{convert|35|ft|m}} high cut-out of Rajinikanth.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2012/10/28231007/I-do-not-want-the-title-Super.html |title=சூப்பர் ஸ்டார் பட்டம் எனக்கு வேண்டாம்!: ஏற்க மறுத்தார், ரஜினிகாந்த்! |date=28 October 2012 |work=[[Maalai Malar]] |access-date=12 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318013621/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2012/10/28231007/I-do-not-want-the-title-Super.html |archive-date=18 March 2013 |language=ta}}</ref> His next appearance ''[[Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu]]'', a quadrangular love story written and directed by [[C. V. Sridhar]], saw him play the role of a man who sacrifices his love for his friend, played by [[Kamal Haasan]]. The film's success prompted Sridhar to remake the film in Telugu, ''[[Vayasu Pilichindi]]'', which retained the original cast of the Tamil film.{{sfn|Ramachandran|2012|p=79}}

His next film, ''[[Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye]]'', had an introductory song to mark his entry, a trend that would soon catch on in with his later films.{{Sfn |Ramachandran |2012 |loc=chap. 6}} ''[[Mullum Malarum]]'', released during the same period, received critical acclaim, and earned him his first [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil]] nomination.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/13/stories/2009121356310700.htm |title=A phenomenon called Rajnikanth |last=D. Karthikeyan |date=13 December 2009 |access-date=22 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015162317/http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/13/stories/2009121356310700.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref> The film marked the directional debut of [[Mahendran (filmmaker)|Mahendran]], with a screenplay adapted from a novel of the same name published in ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]''.{{Sfn |Ramachandran |2012 |loc=chap. 6}} It won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Film]] and a Special Prize (Best Actor) for Rajinikanth at the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.{{Sfn |Ramachandran |2012 |loc= chap. 6}} Following this, he made a foray into [[Cinema of Kerala|Malayalam cinema]] with [[I. V. Sasi]]'s fantasy film ''[[Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum]]'', which was based on a story from the [[Arabian Nights]]. The same year, he acted in ''[[Dharma Yuddam]]'', in which he played a mentally-ill person avenging the death of his parents. He then co-starred with [[N. T. Rama Rao]] in ''[[Tiger (1979 film)|Tiger]]''. Upon completion of ''Tiger'', Rajinikanth had acted in 50 films over a period of four years, and in four languages. Some other popular films released during this period are the youthful entertainer ''[[Ninaithale Inikkum (1979 film)|Ninaithale Inikkum]]'', the Tamil–Kannada bilingual ''[[Priya (1978 film)|Priya]]'', the Telugu film ''[[Amma Evarikkaina Amma]]'' and the melodrama ''[[Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai]]''. ''Priya'', based on a detective novel by [[Sujatha (writer)|Sujatha]], had the distinction of being the first film of Rajinikanth to be shot mostly outside India, mainly in Southeast Asia.{{Sfn |Ramachandran |2012 |loc=chap. 6}} A''arilirunthu Arubathu Varai'' earned him his second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.

Raijinikanth, who credited [[Hindi film]] star [[Amitabh Bachchan]] as his inspiration,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Amitabh-is-my-inspiration-says-Rajini/article16133086.ece |title=Amitabh is my inspiration, says Rajini |date=15 August 2010 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=24 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516093145/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Amitabh-is-my-inspiration-says-Rajini/article16133086.ece |archive-date=16 May 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> began playing Amitabh Bachchan's roles in Tamil remakes of his films.<ref name="indianexpress">{{Cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/revisiting-prakash-mehra-zanjeer-the-film-that-made-amitabh-bachchan-4714064/ |title=Revisiting Prakash Mehra's Zanjeer: The film that made Amitabh Bachchan |date=20 June 2017 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=24 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033352/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/revisiting-prakash-mehra-zanjeer-the-film-that-made-amitabh-bachchan-4714064/ |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> This began with ''Shankar Salim Simon'' (1978), a remake of ''[[Amar Akbar Anthony]]'' (1977), followed by ''[[Naan Vazhavaippen]]'' (1979), a remake of ''[[Majboor (1974 film)|Majboor]]'' (1974).<ref name="Mint">{{Cite news |url=http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/1zecmlLkbhchQlpXOOOsxN/10-Rajinikanth-films-that-were-remakes-of-Amitabh-Bachchan-s.html |title=10 Rajinikanth films that were remakes of Amitabh Bachchan starrers |last=Jha |first=Lata |date=18 July 2016 |work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] |access-date=19 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719141109/http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/1zecmlLkbhchQlpXOOOsxN/10-Rajinikanth-films-that-were-remakes-of-Amitabh-Bachchan-s.html |archive-date=19 July 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was subsequently cast in a series of roles modelled after Amitabh Bachchan in Tamil remakes of his films.<ref name="indianexpress" /> Rajinikanth starred in eleven Tamil remakes of Amitabh Bachchan films,<ref name="catchnews">{{Cite news |url=http://www.catchnews.com/bollywood-news/like-amitabh-bachchan-does-rajinikanth-owe-his-success-to-salim-khan-and-javed-akhtar-catch-flash-back-bollywood-news-1469260347.html |title=What do Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth have in common? |date=23 July 2016 |work=Catch News |access-date=29 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033736/http://www.catchnews.com/bollywood-news/like-amitabh-bachchan-does-rajinikanth-owe-his-success-to-salim-khan-and-javed-akhtar-catch-flash-back-bollywood-news-1469260347.html |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> as well as a Telugu remake of ''Amar Akbar Anthony'', ''[[Ram Robert Rahim]]'' (1980), alongside [[Sridevi]].<ref name="Mint" /> The most successful of these were remakes of [[Salim–Javed]] films, such as ''[[Billa (1980 film)|Billa]]'' (1980), ''[[Thee (1981 film)|Thee]]'' (1981) and ''[[Mr. Bharath]]'' (1986).<ref name="catchnews" />

During this phase of his career, Rajinikanth abruptly chose to quit acting, but was coaxed to return with the Tamil film ''[[Billa (1980 film)|Billa]]'' (1980), a remake of the [[Bollywood]] blockbuster ''[[Don (1978 film)|Don]]'' (1978), written by Salim-Javed and starring Amitabh Bachchan. ''Billa'' had Rajinikanth playing dual roles and eventually became his first solo commercial success.<ref name="expressindia">{{Cite news |url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=88218 |title='Yesterday I was a conductor, today I'm a star' |last=Girija Jinnaa |date=15 June 2007 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617192827/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=88218 |archive-date=17 June 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 August 2015 |title=Best films of Rajinikanth |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/40-years-of-rajinikanth-south/20150827.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170107120017/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/40-years-of-rajinikanth-south/20150827.htm |archive-date=7 January 2017 |access-date=16 May 2018 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> His pairing with [[Sridevi]] continued in ''[[Johnny (1980 film)|Johnny]]'', where he was once again cast in a double role, earned him his third nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. He also starred in ''[[Murattu Kaalai (1980 film)|Murattu Kaalai]]'' which was a commercial success.<ref name=rediff1/> The success of ''Billa'' was a turning point in Rajinikanth's career, disproving detractors that claimed Rajnikanth was "finished" and which saw him accepted as a full-fledged hero.<ref name="expressindia" /> The success of ''Billa'' established Rajinikanth as one of the top stars of Tamil cinema.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rajanikant-his-name-spells-box-office-magic-in-the-south/1/329580.html |title=Rajanikant: His name spells box-office magic in the south |date=31 July 1988 |work=[[India Today]]}}</ref>

In 1981, he appeared in ''[[Garjanai (1981 film)|Garjanai]]'' which was shot simultaneously in [[Kannada]] and [[Malayalam]], making it his last film in those two languages up until 2023. In K. Balachander's first home production, ''[[Netrikan]]'', he played dual roles as a womanising father and a responsible son.<ref name=rediff1/> His first full-length comedy was ''[[Thillu Mullu]]'', directed by K. Balachander. He agreed to it solely due to the strong suggestion by his mentor that he should do non-commercial roles, to break the stereotyped action-hero mould by which he was getting famous at the time. ''Thillu Mullu'' earned him his fourth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/regional/return-of-rajinikanth/article1-815331.aspx |title=Return of Rajinikanth |date=22 February 2012 |work=[[The Hindustan Times]] |access-date=10 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140210092421/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/regional/return-of-rajinikanth/article1-815331.aspx |archive-date=10 February 2014}}</ref> 1981 also saw the release of ''[[Thee (1981 film)|Thee]]'', a remake of blockbuster [[Hindi language|Hindi]] film ''[[Deewaar]]'' (1975), also originally written by Salim-Javed and starring Amitabh Bachchan; in ''Thee'', Rajinikanth reprised the role of Bachchan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/1zecmlLkbhchQlpXOOOsxN/10-Rajinikanth-films-that-were-remakes-of-Amitabh-Bachchan-s.html |title=10 Rajinikanth films that were remakes of Amitabh Bachchan starrers |date=18 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719141109/http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/1zecmlLkbhchQlpXOOOsxN/10-Rajinikanth-films-that-were-remakes-of-Amitabh-Bachchan-s.html |archive-date=19 July 2016}}</ref> In 1982, he starred in ''[[Pokkiri Raja (1982 film)|Pokkiri Raja]]'', ''[[Moondru Mugam]]'', ''[[Thanikattu Raja]]'', ''[[Puthukavithai]]'' and ''[[Enkeyo Ketta Kural]]''. ''Moondru Mugam'' which starred Rajinikanth playing three different roles for the first time, earned him his fifth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.<ref name="raana">{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/29/stories/2011012959320200.htm |title=''Raana'' Rajini's next venture |last=Srinivasan |first=Meera |date=29 January 2011 |access-date=24 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110010958/http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/29/stories/2011012959320200.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=10 November 2012}}</ref>

By 1983, he was a popular actor across [[South Indian cinema]], including Telugu and Kannada films.<ref name="southpopular">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/society/article2153059.ece |title=The Rajini mystique |date=2 July 2011 |work=The Hindu |access-date=6 July 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225031116/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/article2153059.ece |archive-date=25 December 2014}}</ref> In 1983, he starred in his first [[Bollywood]] film, ''[[Andhaa Kaanoon]]'', alongside [[Hema Malini]], [[Reena Roy]] and [[Amitabh Bachchan]] (in an extended cameo appearance).<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Narayan  |first=S Venkat  |date=30 April 1983 |title=Film review: Andhaa Kaanoon is what they call a masala film |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19830430-film-review-andhaa-kaanoon-starring-amitabh-bachchan-rajnikant-hema-malini-771321-2013-10-19 |magazine=[[India Today]] |location=[[New Delhi]] |publisher=Living Media India Limited |access-date=30 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430172223/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19830430-film-review-andhaa-kaanoon-starring-amitabh-bachchan-rajnikant-hema-malini-771321-2013-10-19 |archive-date=30 April 2023}}</ref> The film opened to excellent response from the audience and emerged a blockbuster at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4612 |title=2018 Has High Number Of Blockbusters |date=9 January 2019 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116170928/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4612 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1984, he appeared in ''[[Naan Mahaan Alla (1984 film)|Naan Mahaan Alla]]'', a remake of [[Subhash Ghai]]'s directional ''[[Vishwanath (1978 film)|Vishwanath]]'', the film proved to be a superhit.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 2020 |title=Baashha to Darbar: Here is a list of Rajinikanth's Pongal releases that turned super hits |url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/gallery/lifestyle/baashha-to-darbar-here-is-a-list-of-rajinikanth-s-pongal-releases-that-turned-super-hits-q3s7ap |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215045100/https://newsable.asianetnews.com/gallery/lifestyle/baashha-to-darbar-here-is-a-list-of-rajinikanth-s-pongal-releases-that-turned-super-hits-q3s7ap |archive-date=15 February 2021 |access-date=15 February 2021 |website=[[Asianet News]]}}</ref> That same year, he played a small role in ''[[Anbulla Rajinikanth]]'' and delivered three more successful [[Hindi]] films, ''[[Meri Adalat]]'', ''[[Gangvaa]]'' and ''[[John Jani Janardhan (1984 film)|John Jani Janardhan]]'' (in which he played a triple role).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Film-Information-1984-Classifica.jpg|title=Film Information Classification (1984)}}</ref> His performance in ''[[Nallavanuku Nallavan]]'' earned him his first and only [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil]].<ref name="filmfare">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q5UqAAAAYAAJ |title=Collections |publisher=Update Video Publication |year=1991 |pages=394 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203223423/http://books.google.com/books?id=Q5UqAAAAYAAJ |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> In his 100th film ''[[Sri Raghavendra]]'' (1985), he played the Hindu saint [[Raghavendra Swami]].<ref name="rebel_image" />

In the second half of the 1980s, Rajinikanth acted in commercially successful films, such as ''[[Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985 film)|Naan Sigappu Manithan]]'' (1985), ''[[Geraftaar]]'' (1985), ''[[Padikkadavan (1985 film)|Padikkathavan]]'' (1985), ''[[Mr. Bharath]]'' (1986), ''[[Dosti Dushmani]]'' (1986), ''[[Velaikkaran (1987 film)|Velaikaran]]'' (1987), ''[[Manithan (1987 film)|Manithan]]'' (1987), ''[[Insaaf Kaun Karega]]'' (1987), ''[[Guru Sishyan (1988 film)|Guru Sishyan]]'' (1988) and ''[[Dharmathin Thalaivan]]'' (1988), with ''Velaikaran'' earning him his seventh nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Trade-Guide-1985-Classification.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification 1985}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 June 2022 |title=Mani Ratnam reacts to Rajinikanth's Manithan beating Kamal Haasan's Nayakan at box office |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/mani-ratnam-reacts-to-rajinikanth-manithan-beating-kamal-haasan-nayakan-at-box-office-7947893/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603021507/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/mani-ratnam-reacts-to-rajinikanth-manithan-beating-kamal-haasan-nayakan-at-box-office-7947893/ |archive-date=3 June 2022 |access-date=3 June 2022 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref name=TG1987>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/TG-Classification-1987.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification 1987}}</ref> In 1988, he made his only American film appearance in ''[[Bloodstone (1988 film)|Bloodstone]]'', directed by [[Dwight Little]], in which he played an English-speaking Indian taxi driver.{{Sfn |Ramachandran |2012 |loc= chap. The 1980s}}<ref name="Weldon1996">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HrsbAQAAIAAJ |title=The Psychotronic Video Guide |last=Weldon |first=Michael |publisher=Titan Books |year=1996 |isbn=978-1-85286-770-6 |pages=66 |access-date=22 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203223429/http://books.google.com/books?id=HrsbAQAAIAAJ |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rajinikanth finished the decade with films including ''[[Rajadhi Raja (1989 film)|Rajadhi Raja]]'', ''[[Siva (1989 Tamil film)|Siva]]'', ''[[Raja Chinna Roja]]'' and ''[[Mappillai (1989 film)|Mappillai]]'' while also starring in a few Bollywood productions. ''Raja Chinna Roja'' was the first Indian film to feature [[Films with live action and animation|live action and animation]].{{sfn |Ramachandran |2012 |p=127}}<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/05/14/stories/2004051401350100.htm |title=Finger on people's pulse |last=S.R. Ashok Kumar |date=14 May 2004 |access-date=28 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221163631/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/05/14/stories/2004051401350100.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=21 February 2015}}</ref>

=== 1990–2010: Superstardom ===
[[File:Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan at audio release of Shamitabh.jpg|thumb|right|alt=|Rajinikanth with Kamal Haasan]]

Rajinikanth began the new decade with a mega blockbuster in ''[[Panakkaran]]'' (1990), which was a remake of [[Amitabh Bachchan]]'s 1981 film ''[[Laawaris (1981 film)|Laawaris]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |title=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |title-link=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |year=2014 |isbn=978-0-14-342111-5 |location=New Delhi |pages=128 |author-link=Naman Ramachandran |orig-date=2012}}</ref> The film earned him his eighth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. His next two Tamil films, the [[fantasy film|fantasy comedy]] ''[[Athisaya Piravi]]'', (a remake of [[Chiranjeevi]]'s 1988 film ''[[Yamudiki Mogudu (1988 film)|Yamudiki Mogudu]]'') which also released in 1990 and the family drama ''[[Dharma Durai (1991 film)|Dharmadorai]]'' (1991), did above-average business at the box office. His stint with Bollywood continued since the past decade as he went on to star in more Hindi films. ''[[Hum (1991 film)|Hum]]'' released in 1991 saw him doing the second main lead with Amitabh Bachchan became an inspiration for ''Baashha''.<ref name="IndiaJanDay">{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/15/stories/2006121506571400.htm |title=It's India-Japan Friendship Year |date=15 December 2006 |access-date=20 April 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520065653/http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/15/stories/2006121506571400.htm |archive-date=20 May 2007 |location=Chennai, India |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=ta}}</ref> In 1991, he worked with [[Mani Ratnam]] in ''[[Thalapathi]]'', which was heavily inspired by the ''[[Mahabharata]]''.<ref name="thalapathi">{{Cite web |url=http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/jun/09/slide-show-1-looking-at-mani-ratnams-landmark-movies.htm |title=Looking at Mani Ratnam's landmark movies&nbsp;– Rediff.com Movies |date=9 June 2010 |work=Rediff.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006132648/http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/jun/09/slide-show-1-looking-at-mani-ratnams-landmark-movies.htm |archive-date=6 October 2014 |access-date=30 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tamil-superstar-rajnikant-turns-60-fans-celebrate/553338/2 |title=Tamil superstar Rajnikant turns 60, fans celebrate |date=12 December 2009 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=23 April 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326003855/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tamil-superstar-rajnikant-turns-60-fans-celebrate/553338/2 |archive-date=26 March 2010}}</ref> in which he co-starred with actor [[Mammooty]]; the film dealt with the friendship between two unknown characters based on [[Karna]] and [[Duryodhana]], respectively,<ref name="thalapathi" /> and was set in a more contemporary milieu and was both critically acclaimed and successful upon release.<ref name="rebel_image">{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2010/10/24/stories/2010102450020100.htm |title=Magazine : He's back |last=K. Hariharan |date=24 October 2010 |access-date=23 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028131931/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2010/10/24/stories/2010102450020100.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=28 October 2010}}</ref> He received his ninth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for the film. He went on to appear in remakes of films from other languages, mostly from Hindi and Telugu. ''[[Annamalai (film)|Annamalai]]'', which released in 1992, was yet another friendship-centric film and was loosely based on the 1987 Bollywood film ''[[Khudgarz]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Suganth|first=M|date=27 June 2017|title=Without Annamalai, there wouldn't be Baashha|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/without-annamalai-there-wouldnt-be-baashha/articleshow/59322761.cms|accessdate=14 July 2021|archive-date=28 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228223001/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/without-annamalai-there-wouldnt-be-baashha/articleshow/59322761.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was the first to have the ''Superstar'' graphic title card.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/story-behind-rajinikanths-iconic-title-card-superstar-rajinikanth/articleshow/92784388.cms|title=Story Behind Rajinikanth's Iconic Title Card 'Superstar Rajinikanth'|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=10 July 2022}}</ref> He received his tenth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for the film. ''[[Mannan (film)|Mannan]]'', directed by [[P. Vasu]], a remake of Kannada actor [[Dr. Rajkumar|Rajkumar]]'s 1986 blockbuster ''[[Anuraga Aralithu]]'', also was released in 1992 and became a box office success. Rajinikanth wrote his first screenplay for the film ''[[Valli (film)|Valli]]'' (1993), in which he also made a special appearance. He also starred in the film ''[[Yajaman]]'', in which he played the role of Vaanavaraayan, a village chieftain. His romantic-comedy ''[[Veera (1994 film)|Veera]]'' (1994) was controversial for its climax but went on to become one of the highest-grossing films in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/38534/inspiration-remakes.html |title=Inspiration for remakes |last=Megha Shenoy |date=4 April 2011 |website=[[The Deccan Herald]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021111848/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/38534/inspiration-remakes.html |archive-date=21 October 2012 |access-date=26 February 2013}}</ref> That year, he earned his eleventh nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for the action-drama ''[[Uzhaippali]]''.

He joined hands with [[Suresh Krishna (director)|Suresh Krishna]] for ''[[Baashha]]'' (1995), which emerged as an industry record,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-working-with-rajinikanth-baasha-director-tells-all/20121212.htm |title=Working with Rajinikanth: Baasha director tells all |date=12 December 2012 |work=Rediff.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208151126/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-working-with-rajinikanth-baasha-director-tells-all/20121212.htm |archive-date=8 February 2013 |access-date=26 February 2013}}</ref> and is routinely touted by fans and critics alike as a major-hit, as the film elevated him from being just another very popular actor to nearly demigod status among the masses.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Rajinikanth-Old-is-gold/articleshow/4138227.cms? |title=Rajinikanth: Old is gold |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=17 February 2009 |work=The Times of India |access-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114114139/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Rajinikanth-Old-is-gold/articleshow/4138227.cms |archive-date=14 January 2016}}</ref> He made a cameo in ''[[Peddarayudu]]'' for his friend [[Mohan Babu]] and also helped him in obtaining the remake rights. The same year, he acted in yet another gangster film, ''[[Aatank Hi Aatank]]'' with [[Aamir Khan]] which was also his last Hindi film in a major role till date.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mio.to//album/Aandavan+%282000%29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904042748/http://mio.to/album/Aandavan+%282000%29|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 September 2014|title=Aandavan (2000) - Deva|via=mio.to}}</ref> His film ''[[Muthu (film)|Muthu]]'', a remake of [[Mohanlal]]'s blockbuster Malayalam film ''[[Thenmavin Kombathu]]'', was another commercial success, directed by [[K. S. Ravikumar]] and produced by K. Balachander, and became the first Tamil film to be dubbed into Japanese, as ''Mutu: Odoru Maharaja''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mid-day.com/photos/b-town-specials/happy-birthdayrajinikanth/2/ |title=Happy birthday, Rajinikanth! |website=[[Mid-Day]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014211458/http://www.mid-day.com/photos/b-town-specials/happy-birthdayrajinikanth/2/ |archive-date=14 October 2013 |access-date=9 October 2013}}</ref> The film grossed a record US$1.6&nbsp;million in Japan in 1998 and was responsible for creating a large Japanese fan-base for the actor.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/brand-rajinikanth/895433/0 |title=Brand Rajinikanth |last=S Saroj Kumar |date=4 January 2012 |work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]] |access-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006113614/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/brand-rajinikanth/895433/0 |archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> ''Muthu''{{'}}s success in Japan led American news magazine ''[[Newsweek]]'' to comment in a 1999 article that Rajinikanth had "supplanted [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] as Japan's trendiest heartthrob".<ref>[http://www.newsweek.com/1999/05/09/dancing-maharajas.html "Dancing Maharajas".] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125150815/http://www.newsweek.com/1999/05/09/dancing-maharajas.html |date=25 November 2010 }} ''Newsweek''. 10 May 1999.</ref> During a visit to Japan in 2006, Indian Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] acknowledged the success of ''Muthu'' in the country during a speech, justifying the positive [[India-Japan relations|relationship between the two nations]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/dec/14prem.htm |title=When the PM wowed Japan's parliament |last=Prem Panicker |date=14 December 2006 |work=Rediff.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805172727/http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/dec/14prem.htm |archive-date=5 August 2012 |access-date=8 January 2012}}</ref> He received his twelfth and thirteenth nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for his performances in ''Baashha'' and ''Muthu''.

He also entered [[Bengali film industry|Bengali cinema]] through ''[[Bhagya Debata]]'', which was released at the end of 1995. 1997's ''[[Arunachalam (film)|Arunachalam]]'', another commercial success, earned him his fourteenth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. Rajinikanth released his last film of the millennium with ''[[Padayappa]]'' (1999), which went on to become a blockbuster success, and earned him his fifteenth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. It starred [[Ramya Krishnan]] and [[Soundarya]], the former critically acclaimed for her performance. It was also the last prominent role for veteran Tamil actor [[Sivaji Ganesan]].

After a brief pause, Rajinikanth starred in ''[[Baba (2002 film)|Baba]]'' in 2002, for which he had also written the screenplay.<ref name="baba">{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/08/16/stories/2002081600960300.htm |title=Baba |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=16 August 2002 |access-date=24 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225032939/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/08/16/stories/2002081600960300.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=25 December 2014}}</ref> Released with much fanfare and hype at the time, the film featured a story revolving around the reforming of a gangster, later revealed to be the reincarnation of the Hindu saint [[Mahavatar Babaji]], and fights against political corruption.<ref name=baba/> It fell short of market expectations and the high bids reportedly translated to heavy losses for the distributors. Rajinikanth himself repaid the losses incurred by the distributors.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/may/03gv.htm |title=Film producer GV commits suicide |last=N Sathiya Moorthy |date=3 May 2003 |work=Rediff.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170107125855/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/may/03gv.htm |archive-date=7 January 2017 |access-date=17 May 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/05/12/stories/2004051200960100.htm |title=Superstar wannabes |last=Sudhish Kamath |date=12 May 2004 |access-date=17 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001064811/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/05/12/stories/2004051200960100.htm |archive-date=1 October 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> The film was received with comments such as "the bloom was off the rose" and that "the gold does not glitter any more".<ref name="Will Sivaji be Rajini">{{Cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/05msg.htm |title=Will Sivaji be Rajini's biggest hit?- History |work=Rediff.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607142307/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/05msg.htm |archive-date=7 June 2007 |access-date=6 May 2007}}</ref> [[Pattali Makkal Katchi]] (PMK) leader [[S. Ramadoss]] condemned him for smoking and posing with [[beedi]]s in the film. He was criticised for spoiling the Tamil youth by glorifying smoking and drinking. PMK volunteers attacked the theatres which screened the film and usurped film rolls and burned them.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/Mar232004/n7.asp |title=Rajini keeps everyone guessing |date=23 March 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309043030/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/Mar232004/n7.asp |archive-date=9 March 2007 |access-date=5 April 2007}}</ref>

Two years later, Rajinikanth signed up for P. Vasu's ''[[Chandramukhi]]'' (2005), a remake of the Malayalam film ''[[Manichitrathazhu]]''. Upon release the film was highly successful at the box office, and in 2007 it set the record of being the longest running Tamil film.<ref name="The Final Verdict">{{Cite web |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13736924 |title=The Final Verdict&nbsp;– History |date=8 May 2005 |website=[[Sify]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224110012/http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13736924 |archive-date=24 December 2014 |access-date=24 February 2013}}</ref> ''Chandramukhi'' was also dubbed in [[Turkish language|Turkish]] and in German as ''Der Geisterjäger'' and released in the respective nations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.oneindia.in/2006/04/02/rajnis-chandramukhi-in-turkish-and-german-1143979538.html |title=Rajni's 'Chandramukhi' in Turkish and German |date=2 April 2006 |publisher=[[Oneindia.in]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026145318/http://news.oneindia.in/2006/04/02/rajnis-chandramukhi-in-turkish-and-german-1143979538.html |archive-date=26 October 2014 |access-date=7 June 2011}}</ref> Following ''Chandramukhi''{{'}}s release, it was reported that [[AVM Productions]] was set to produce a film directed by [[S. Shankar|Shankar]] starring Rajinikanth – the largest collaboration yet for a Tamil film. The film was titled ''[[Sivaji (film)|Sivaji]]'' and was released in the summer of 2007, following two years of filming and production. It became the first Tamil film to be charted as one of the "top-ten best films" of the United Kingdom and South Africa box offices upon release.<ref name="United Kingdom Box Office 15–17 June 2007">{{Cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/uk/?yr=2007&wk=24&p=.htm |title=United Kingdom Box Office June 15–17, 2007 |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626043750/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/uk/?yr=2007&wk=24&p=.htm |archive-date=26 June 2007 |access-date=18 June 2007}}</ref><ref name="South Africa Box Office 3–5 August 2007">{{Cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/southafrica/?yr=2007&wk=31&p=.htm |title=South Africa Box Office August 3–5, 2007 |publisher=Box Office Mojo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024011722/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/southafrica/?yr=2007&wk=31&p=.htm |archive-date=24 October 2007 |access-date=8 June 2007}}</ref> Rajinikanth received a salary of {{INRConvert|260|m|year=2007}}, for his role in the film highest in his film career at that time.<ref name="Neha">{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Rapchik-Rajinikanth-mind-it/Article1-606098.aspx |title=Rapchik Rajinikanth, mind it! |last=Sharma |first=Neha |date=29 September 2010 |work=[[The Hindustan Times]] |access-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224090431/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Rapchik-Rajinikanth-mind-it/Article1-606098.aspx |archive-date=24 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/What-makes-Rajinikanth-the-Boss/articleshow/6762996.cms |title=What makes Rajinikanth the Boss? |last=Varma |first=Anuradha |date=17 October 2010 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=13 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104110543/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-10-17/news-interviews/28228019_1_hero-worship-mgr-sivaji-ganesan |archive-date=4 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1062351/report-after-brangelina-its-rajinikanth |title=After Brangelina, it's Rajinikanth |last=Vilakudy |first=Rajaneesh |date=5 November 2006 |website=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014080020/http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1062351/report-after-brangelina-its-rajinikanth |archive-date=14 October 2013 |access-date=9 October 2013}}</ref> He received his sixteenth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for his performance in the film. During the production of ''Sivaji'', [[Soundarya Rajinikanth]] announced her intention of producing a computer-generated imagery film starring an animated version of her father titled ''Sultan: The Warrior''. The film was set for release in 2008,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/exclusive/2010/rajinikanth-sultan-rechristened-hara-251010.html |title=Rajinikanth's Sultan rechristened as Hara |date=25 October 2010 |work=OneIndia |access-date=27 March 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707231049/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/exclusive/2010/rajinikanth-sultan-rechristened-hara-251010.html |archive-date=7 July 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-12-13/news/27690498_1_soundarya-rajnikant-film-sultan-the-warrior |title=Animated film on Rajnikant to be released in December 2008 |date=13 December 2007 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=9 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015023424/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-12-13/news/27690498_1_soundarya-rajnikant-film-sultan-the-warrior |archive-date=15 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> however, it entered [[development hell]], and its development status would become unknown over the next few years.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/The-day-Rajini-took-ill/articleshow/12910784.cms |title=The day Rajini took ill |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivas |date=29 April 2012 |access-date=9 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015111052/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-29/news-interviews/31475535_1_superstar-rajinikanth-rana-soundarya-rajinikanth |archive-date=15 October 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Rajinikanth 2010 - still 113555 crop.jpg|thumbnail|Rajinikanth at the [[Enthiran (soundtrack)|''Enthiran'' (2010) soundtrack]] release event in [[Mumbai]]|alt=|left]]
He worked with P. Vasu again for ''[[Kuselan]]'', a remake of the Malayalam film ''[[Kadha Parayumbol]]'', which was made simultaneously in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''[[Kathanayakudu (2008 film)|Kathanayakudu]]'', in which Rajinikanth played an extended cameo role as Ashok Kumar, a film star in the Indian cinema, and as a best friend to the film's protagonist. According to Rajinikanth, the film somewhat narrated his early life.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/aug/01ssk3.htm |title=Pasupathy, the real star of Kuselan |last=P |first=Krishnakumar |date=1 August 2008 |website=Rediff.com |publisher=Rediff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110802201524/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/aug/01ssk3.htm |archive-date=2 August 2011 |access-date=12 June 2011}}</ref> The film, however, performed poorly at box offices and led to many distributors incurring major losses.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/keyword/kuselan/featured/3 |title=Kollywood in a flap |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=20 August 2008 |access-date=24 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616205822/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/keyword/kuselan/featured/3 |archive-date=16 June 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> Rajinikanth also stated that he would work with [[Pyramid Saimira]] again to compensate for ''Kuselan''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?238204 |title=Hope Floats For SRK |last=Iyengar |first=Pushpa |publisher=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|The Outlook]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028041643/http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?238204 |archive-date=28 October 2011 |access-date=30 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=10&contentid=2008121620081216010601113f7794623 |title=Kuselan may spark Tamil film boycott |last=S |first=Shyam Prasad |date=16 December 2008 |work=[[Bangalore Mirror]] |access-date=24 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524180750/http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=10&contentid=2008121620081216010601113f7794623 |archive-date=24 May 2013}}</ref>{{Quote box
| quote = "Is there anything left to be said about a man who, at 61, still manages to star in one of the most successful films of the year, not just in the south, but across India? Superstar Rajni once again proved that he is the actor with the Midas touch with the sci-fi flick Endhiran, where he played an ambitious scientist, a naive robot and an evil android bent on destroying the world [...] He did it with such aplomb that he's been the talk of the town for months. He might do one film in two years, but when he does, he pulls out all the stops."
| source = —[[Rediff.com]] on Rajinikanth's performance in ''[[Enthiran]]'' (2010)<ref name="Rajini in Enthiran">{{Cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-best-tamil-actors-of-2010/20101214.htm |title=Rajinikanth in Endhiran |date=14 December 2010 |work=Rediff.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527010449/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-best-tamil-actors-of-2010/20101214.htm |archive-date=27 May 2011 |access-date=12 July 2011}}</ref>
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Rajinikanth worked again with Shankar for the science fiction film ''[[Enthiran]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/chulbul-pandey-now-lives-in-chennai/729300/ |title=Chulbul Pandey Now Lives in Chennai |last=Gupta |first=Shubhra |date=26 December 2010 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=2 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211152620/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/chulbul-pandey-now-lives-in-chennai/729300/ |archive-date=11 February 2011}}</ref> The film was released worldwide in 2010 as the most expensive Indian film ever made, ultimately emerging an ''All Time Blockbuster'' and the second highest-grossing film in India of its time.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=7234|title=Ponniyan Selvan Part 1 Is A Historic BLOCKBUSTER For The Tamil Film Industry|publisher=Box Office India}}</ref><ref name="162crores">{{Cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/Ndtv-Show-Special-Story.aspx?from=bottomrelated&ID=538&StoryID=ENTEN20100154445 |title=Rajini's Endhiran: A sell out in Chennai |publisher=[[NDTV]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106150430/http://movies.ndtv.com/Ndtv-Show-Special-Story.aspx?from=bottomrelated&ID=538&StoryID=ENTEN20100154445 |archive-date=6 November 2012 |access-date=26 September 2010}}</ref> Rajinikanth was paid a remuneration of {{INRConvert|450|m|year=2010}} for the film.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/avatar-technology-powers-rajnikant-in-enthir/673748/ |title=Avatar technology powers Rajnikant in Enthiran |date=28 August 2010 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=24 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124071605/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/avatar-technology-powers-rajnikant-in-enthir/673748 |archive-date=24 November 2010}}</ref> He received his seventeenth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for his performance in the film. The film's success lead to the [[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad]] to use the film as a case study to analyse the business of cinema and its success story in a post-graduate elective management course called ''Contemporary Film Industry: A Business Perspective''. The course would also study ''Muthu''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rajinikants-Robot-part-of-IIM-A-course/articleshow/7147893.cms |title=Rajinikanth's Enthiran&nbsp;– Case study in IIM A |date=23 December 2010 |access-date=9 April 2011 |location=India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025122818/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-23/india/28227042_1_case-study-iim-rajinikanth |archive-date=25 October 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2011-present: Career fluctuations and return to success ===

In January 2011, Rajinikanth was slated to appear in ''Rana'', a period film to be produced by Soundarya Rajinikanth and directed by K. S. Ravikumar, who would work with the actor for a third time.<ref name=raana/> During the [[principal photography]] of the film on 29 April 2011, he suffered a mild [[foodborne illness]] on the sets, which led to vomiting, dehydration, and exhaustion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_rajinikanth-admitted-to-hospital_1537595 |title=Rajinikanth admitted to hospital&nbsp;– Entertainment&nbsp;– DNA |date=29 April 2011 |website=Daily News and Analysis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818115734/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_rajinikanth-admitted-to-hospital_1537595 |archive-date=18 August 2011 |access-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> He was treated at St. Isabel's Hospital for a day before being discharged.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/rajinikanth-hospitalised-news-news-le3q2ebeebh.html |title=Rajinikanth hospitalised |website=[[Sify]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811141240/http://www.sify.com/movies/rajinikanth-hospitalised-news-news-le3q2ebeebh.html |archive-date=11 August 2011 |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> Five days later, he was rushed to the same hospital again after suffering from breathlessness and fever.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rajinikanth-again-hospitalised/1/138159.html |title=Actor Rajinikanth hospitalised again |last=ITGD Bureau |date=14 May 2011 |website=[[India Today]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014172404/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rajinikanth-again-hospitalised/1/138159.html |archive-date=14 October 2013 |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> He was diagnosed with [[bronchitis]] and was kept at the hospital for a week, while also spending a few days in an [[intensive care unit]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Rajini-writes-letter-to-fans-says-he-will-be-back-soon/Article1-710881.aspx |title=Rajini writes letter to fans, says he will be back soon |date=18 June 2011 |work=The Hindustan Times |access-date=1 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621070954/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Rajini-writes-letter-to-fans-says-he-will-be-back-soon/Article1-710881.aspx |archive-date=21 June 2011}}</ref> Several conflicting reports of discharge dates arose, as well as claims of Rajinikanth's health deteriorating.<ref name="ndtv" /> Two days after his last discharge, Rajinikanth was admitted to the [[Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute]] on 16 May 2011 for recurring respiratory and gastrointestinal problems.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/modi-to-visit-rajini-in-hospital-105754 |title=Modi To Visit Rajini in Hospital |publisher=NDTV |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216130427/http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/modi-to-visit-rajini-in-hospital-105754 |archive-date=16 December 2013 |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> The hospital maintained that Rajinikanth was in stable condition and showed positive response to treatment.<ref name="ndtv">{{Cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?id=ENTEN20110175793&keyword=regional&section=Movies&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA |title=Rajinikanth's Condition Stable: Hospital |publisher=NDTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210090601/http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/rajinikanth-s-condition-stable-hospital-106385 |archive-date=10 February 2014 |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> It was widely reported that he required a [[kidney transplantation]], which was later denied by [[Dhanush]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-01/chennai/29608004_1_dhanush-isabel-hospital-national-award |title=Rajini will soon be back to complete 'Raana': Dhanush |date=1 June 2011 |access-date=1 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905124113/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-01/chennai/29608004_1_dhanush-isabel-hospital-national-award |archive-date=5 September 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 21 May 2011, [[Aishwarya Rajinikanth]] released a photo of her and Rajinikanth in his hospital ward, both posing with a [[thumb signal|thumbs-up]], responding to fans' negative reaction to news reports.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-23/chennai/29573758_1_private-ward-icu-senior-doctor |title=Rajinikanth out of ICU, moved into private ward |date=23 May 2011 |access-date=1 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905124119/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-23/chennai/29573758_1_private-ward-icu-senior-doctor |archive-date=5 September 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> The hospital restricted unauthorised visitors.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Rajini-getting-better-say-docs-as-fans-pray-for-their-superstar/articleshow/8172875.cms |title=Rajini getting better, say docs as fans pray for their superstar |date=6 May 2011 |access-date=1 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025122809/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-06/chennai/29516197_1_rajinikanth-triple-role-enthiran |archive-date=25 October 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref> Rajinikanth's brother, Sathyanarayana Rao Gaekwad, reported that the cause of the sudden illness was due to stress from rapid weight-loss and changes in diet, as well as [[alcohol withdrawal syndrome|withdrawal of alcohol consumption]] and [[smoking cessation]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/rajini-suffering-from-lung-liver-ailment-brother-106258 |title=Rajini suffering from lung, liver ailment: Brother |date=17 May 2011 |publisher=NDTV |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520205352/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/rajini-suffering-from-lung-liver-ailment-brother-106258 |archive-date=20 May 2011 |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> After addressing fans in a 4-minute [[digital recording|digitally recorded]] [[voice message]] to the media, Rajinikanth, under the advice of Amitabh Bachchan, travelled from Chennai to Singapore with his family on 21 May 2011, where he was to undergo further treatment for [[nephropathy]] at [[Mount Elizabeth Hospital]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/international-news-of-the-week-111060400093_1.html |title=International news of the week |date=4 June 2011 |work=[[Business Standard]] |access-date=17 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620163528/http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/international-news-of-the-week-111060400093_1.html |archive-date=20 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/rajini-in-singapore-hospital-on-big-b-s-advice_709858.html |title=Rajini in Singapore hospital on Big B's advice |date=30 May 2011 |publisher=[[Zee News]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712183018/http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/rajini-in-singapore-hospital-on-big-b-s-advice_709858.html |archive-date=12 July 2011 |access-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> After spending over two weeks at the hospital, he was finally discharged on 15 June 2011 and continued to recuperate in Singapore, before returning to Chennai on 13 July 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/rajnikanth-fine-recovering-well-dhanush/article2065995.ece |title=Rajnikanth fine, recovering well: Dhanush |date=31 May 2011 |work=The Hindu |access-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015080939/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/rajnikanth-fine-recovering-well-dhanush/article2065995.ece |archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/rajinikanth-to-return-tonight-118777 |title=Rajinikanth to return tonight |date=14 July 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102184246/http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/rajinikanth-to-return-tonight-118777 |archive-date=2 November 2013 |access-date=9 October 2013}}</ref> 
Despite several failed attempts to restart ''Rana'' upon his return, Rajinikanth reprised his ''Enthiran'' character, Chitti, in the Bollywood science-fiction film ''[[Ra.One]]'' (2011) in a guest appearance alongside [[Shah Rukh Khan]] and [[Kareena Kapoor]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/rajinikanths-cameo-ra-one/articleshow/10003322.cms |title=Rajinikanth's cameo RA.One |last=Rudrappa |first=Chetan |date=16 September 2011 |access-date=2 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025122823/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-16/news-interviews/30164710_1_superhero-flick-raone-rajinikanth |archive-date=25 October 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2011, it was decided that ''Rana'' would be shelved in favour of a new project, titled ''[[Kochadaiiyaan]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Rana-a-triple-delight-for-Rajini-fans/articleshow/7385003.cms |title=Rana, a triple delight for Rajini fans |last=Bharti Dubey, TNN, 29 January 2011, 05.42&nbsp;pm IST |date=29 January 2011 |access-date=30 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524072144/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-29/news-interviews/28378236_1_rajinikanth-film-muthu-and-padayappa |archive-date=24 May 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref> The film became a huge disaster at the box office.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/now-kochadaiyaan-producers-in-financial-tangle/article6729035.ece |title=Now Kochadaiyaan producers in financial tangle |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107130420/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/now-kochadaiyaan-producers-in-financial-tangle/article6729035.ece |archive-date=7 January 2017 |date=27 December 2014 |last1=Kandavel |first1=Sangeetha}}</ref> The [[motion capture]] film, which is the first of its type in India, was released in 2014 to positive reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kochadaiiyaan-review-roundup-commendable-attempt-by-soundarya-worth-watching-600846 |title='Kochadaiiyaan' Review Roundup: Commendable Attempt by Soundarya; Worth Watching |date=23 May 2014 |work=[[International Business Times]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107130410/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kochadaiiyaan-review-roundup-commendable-attempt-by-soundarya-worth-watching-600846 |archive-date=7 January 2017 |access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref> ''Kochadaiiyaan'', and the 3D release of ''Sivaji'' in 2012,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/movie-review-rajinikanth-s-sivaji-3d-303788 |title=Movie Review: Rajinikanth's Sivaji 3D |date=11 December 2012 |website=[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]] |publisher=[[NDTV]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527015330/http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/movie-review-rajinikanth-s-sivaji-3d-303788 |archive-date=27 May 2014 |access-date=14 April 2014}}</ref> made Rajinikanth the first Indian actor to have appeared in four different forms of world cinema: [[black-and-white]], [[colour film|colour]], [[3D film|3D]] and [[motion capture]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130403/entertainment-kollywood/article/rajini-%E2%80%98cannes%E2%80%99 |title=Rajini 'Cannes' |date=3 April 2013 |work=Deccan Chronicle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310063752/http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130403/entertainment-kollywood/article/rajini-%E2%80%98cannes%E2%80%99 |archive-date=10 March 2014 |access-date=10 March 2014}}</ref> Following the completion of ''Kochadaiiyaan'', Rajinikanth began work in Ravikumar's next directorial venture, titled ''[[Lingaa]].''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Sona-presses-the-rewind-button/articleshow/34320366.cms |title=Sona presses the rewind button |date=28 April 2014 |work=Mumbai Mirror |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001062519/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Sona-presses-the-rewind-button/articleshow/34320366.cms |archive-date=1 October 2014 |access-date=2 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/superstar-rajinikanths-next-is-lingaa/article5960175.ece |title=Superstar Rajinikanth's next is Lingaa |date=29 April 2014 |newspaper=The Hindu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920045726/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/superstar-rajinikanths-next-is-lingaa/article5960175.ece |archive-date=20 September 2014 |access-date=2 May 2014 |last1=Subramanian |first1=Karthik}}</ref> The film was released on 12 December 2014, coinciding with his birthday,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/lingaa-stamped-u-rating-rajinikanth-starrer-confirmed-12-december-release-615162 |title='Lingaa' Stamped with 'U' Rating; Rajinikanth Starrer Confirmed for 12 December Release |date=26 November 2014 |work=International Business Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220031320/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/lingaa-stamped-u-rating-rajinikanth-starrer-confirmed-12-december-release-615162 |archive-date=20 February 2015 |access-date=1 December 2014}}</ref> and received mixed reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/I-take-responsibility-flaws-in-Lingaa-KS-Ravikumar/articleshow/45585327.cms |title=I take responsibility for the book scene in Lingaa: KS Ravikumar |date=21 December 2014 |website=The Times of India |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225122829/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/I-take-responsibility-flaws-in-Lingaa-KS-Ravikumar/articleshow/45585327.cms |archive-date=25 December 2014 |access-date=29 December 2014}}</ref>

After a two-year absence from big screen, Rajinikanth's next film was director [[Pa. Ranjith]]'s crime drama ''[[Kabali (film)|Kabali]]'', produced by [[S. Thanu]]. The film was released in July 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-kabali-review-round-up-this-is-what-critics-are-saying-about-the-rajinikanth-blockbuster-2236945 |title=Kabali review round-up: This is what critics are saying about the Rajinikanth blockbuster |date=22 July 2016 |work=Daily News and Analysis |access-date=25 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725052356/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-kabali-review-round-up-this-is-what-critics-are-saying-about-the-rajinikanth-blockbuster-2236945 |archive-date=25 July 2016}}</ref> The film became the [[List of Tamil films of 2016|highest grossing Tamil film]] of the year grossing over {{INRConvert|300|c|lk=c|year=2020}} and became the [[List of highest-grossing Tamil films|fifth highest-grossing Tamil film of all time]] before being surpassed by his another film ''[[2.0 (film)|2.0]]''.{{#tag:ref|Box office gross values of {{INR}}650 crore were reported for ''Kabali'' in the first 13 days by several organisations including ''Financial Express'' and ''Indian Express'',<ref name="Financial Express 650 crore 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/334390/kabali-box-office-collections-at-over-rs-650-cr-rajinikanth-starrer-is-now-no-1-movie-in-india/4/|title=Rajinikanth starrer Kabali box office collections rise to over Rs 650 crore, turns No. 1 movie in India – The Financial Express|date=1 August 2016|access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="Financial Express 650 crore 2">{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/334390/kabali-box-office-collections-at-over-rs-650-cr-rajinikanth-starrer-is-now-no-1-movie-in-india/3/|title=Rajinikanth starrer Kabali box office collections rise to over Rs 650 crore, turns No. 1 movie in India – The Financial Express|date=1 August 2016|access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref> which were more than double the estimates made by other sources.<ref name="IBT 675 questioned">{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kabali-box-office-collection-reports-rajinikanth-starrer-raking-rs-675-crore-13-days-are-fake-688881|title='Kabali' box office collection: Reports of Rajinikanth-starrer raking in Rs. 675 crore in 13 days are fake|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805214307/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kabali-box-office-collection-reports-rajinikanth-starrer-raking-rs-675-crore-13-days-are-fake-688881|archive-date=5 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> ''International Business Times'' (IBT) and ''[[Firstpost]]'' criticized these estimates as inflated, explaining the discrepancy as due in part to the addition of "pre-release business" figures, such as music and satellite rights sales of {{INR}}200 crore,<ref name="Firstpost 600 questioned" /> being factored into the box office sales totals.<ref name="IBT 675 questioned" /> ''Firstpost'' wrote, "More conservative estimates put Kabali's collections at around Rs 300 crores from worldwide ticket sales."<ref name="Firstpost 600 questioned">{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/rajinikanth-kabali-has-earned-rs-600-crore-at-the-global-box-office-or-has-it-2932578.html|title=Rajinikanth's Kabali has earned Rs 600 crore at the global box office. Or has it? – Firstpost|date=3 August 2016|access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref> IBT's analysts in August 2016 estimated the film's worldwide gross total of its first 13 days at around {{INR|350 crore}} (US${{To USD|3500|IND|year=2016}} million).<ref name="IBT 350 crore">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kabali-box-office-collection-rajinikanth-starrer-beats-7-big-records-baahubali-bahubali-688964 |title='Kabali' Box Office collection |work=International Business Times India|date=4 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805071102/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kabali-box-office-collection-rajinikanth-starrer-beats-7-big-records-baahubali-bahubali-688964|archive-date=5 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> <br /> Figures given in December 2016 by ''Financial Express'' indicated an estimated domestic gross of {{INR}}215 crore and an overseas gross of {{INR}}262 crore, which total {{INR}}477 crore.<ref name="IE Dec 2016">{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/rajinikanth-birthday-today-as-superstar-rajni-turns-65-wishes-pour-in/471636/|title=Rajinikanth birthday today; As superstar Rajni turns 65, wishes pour&nbsp;in|date=12 December 2016}}</ref> A figure of USD$77 million given by ''Forbes'' in May 2017 converted to approximately {{INR}}493–499 crore.<!--Method: {{INRConvert|493|c|year=2016}}
NOTE: Since the Forbes source doesn't mention a specific INR value, and is presumably using 2017 US dollars to talk about the gross of a 2016 Indian film, we're forced to extrapolate a range of INR values under 500, and the highest possible is 499. --><ref name="Forbes 77 mil USD">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robcain/2017/05/11/armies-of-ajith-fans-mobilize-to-blast-vivegam-teaser-to-record-views/#4d79d92716eb|title=Armies Of Ajith Fans Mobilize To Blast 'Vivegam' Teaser To Record Views|access-date=13 May 2017|work=Forbes|quote=Kabali, which starred blockbuster hero Rajinikanth, went on to gross nearly 5 billion rupees (US$77 million) worldwide, making it the 6th highest grossing Indian film in history at the time.}}</ref> According to ''International Business Times'' in October 2017, ''Kabali''{{'}}s final worldwide gross was around {{INRConvert|286|c}}.<ref name="IBT Oct 2017">{{cite news|last=Upadhyaya|first=Prakash|title=Mersal box office collection: A crowning-moment for Vijay as his film joins Rs 200-crore club|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/mersal-12-days-box-office-collection-crowning-vijay-film-joins-rs-200-crore-club-2nd-weekend-747432|work=[[International Business Times]]|date=30 October 2017}}</ref>|group=n|name=Kabali}} Also, at the [[Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards]], the film was nominated at five categories winning all of them,<ref>{{cite web |date=14 January 2017|last=Arul|title=Rajinikanth, Vijay, Sasikumar at Vikatan awards - Photos|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/photos/rajinikanth-vijay-sasikumar-vikatan-awards-9850-slide-57502|access-date=31 December 2020|website=IBTimes India|language=en}}</ref> and also won five awards, at the [[Edison Awards (India)|Edison Awards]], and two nominations at the [[6th South Indian International Movie Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|title=SIIMA 2017 Nomination List&nbsp;– Tamil|url=http://siima.in/2017/nominations.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170531085328/http://siima.in/2017/nominations.html|archive-date=31 May 2017|access-date=31 May 2017|publisher=[[South Indian International Movie Awards]]}}</ref> He also received his eighteenth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for his performance in the film.

In August 2016, it was announced that Rajinikanth and director Ranjith would work together again for a film with Dhanush as producer, titled ''[[Kaala (2018 film)|Kaala]]'', in which Rajinikanth plays a [[Dharavi]]-dwelling gangster who fights against corporate takeover of the slum.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/rajinikanthranjith-combo-under-dhanushs-production-soon/article9046675.ece Rajinikanth-Ranjith combo under Dhanush's production soon] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830160909/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/rajinikanthranjith-combo-under-dhanushs-production-soon/article9046675.ece |date=30 August 2016 }}. The Hindu (29 August 2016). Retrieved on 3 November 2016.</ref> The film was officially released on 7 June 2018 and received positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.india.com/entertainment/tamil-movies-kaala-box-office-update-rajinikanths-latest-offering-starts-picking-up-at-the-ticket-windows-3101544/|title=Rajinikanth's Kaala Witnesses an Upward Trend at the Box Office - Read Details|last=Desk|first=India com Entertainment|date=9 June 2018|website=India.com|language=en|access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref> In 2018 he also appeared in [[S. Shankar]]'s ''[[2.0 (film)|2.0]]'' reprising the roles of Dr. Vaseegaran and Chitti, alongside [[Akshay Kumar]] and [[Amy Jackson]].<ref name="TOI">{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Akshay-Kumar-plays-the-villain-in-Robot-2/articleshow/50203162.cms |title=Akshay Kumar plays the villain in 'Robot 2' |website=The Times of India |access-date=15 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613065129/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Akshay-Kumar-plays-the-villain-in-Robot-2/articleshow/50203162.cms |archive-date=13 June 2018 |url-status=live|last1=Iyer |first1=Meena }}</ref> The film was released on 29 November 2018 and was commercially successful at the box office. The film earned over {{INRConvert|117.34|c}} worldwide on its first day, which was the second-highest ever for an Indian film. The film crossed {{INRConvert|520|c|year=2018}} in its opening weekend to be the highest-grossing film worldwide for that week. The film also grossed over {{INRConvert|655.81|c}}{{Ndash}}{{INRConvert|800|c|lk=c}} at the box office became the [[List of Tamil films of 2018|highest-grossing Tamil film]] of the year and [[List of highest-grossing Tamil films|second highest grossing Tamil film of all time]].<ref>{{Cite news |title='2.0' final box office collection all format: The Rajinikanth starrer helmed by S. Shankar is the sixth highest grossing Indian film ever |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/2-0-final-box-office-collection-all-format-the-rajinikanth-starrer-helmed-by-s-shankar-is-the-sixth-highest-grossing-indian-film-ever/articleshow/67989955.cms |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> ''2.0'' is the [[List of highest-grossing films in India|fourth highest-grossing film in India]] and is the [[List of highest-grossing Indian films#Worldwide gross collection|seventh highest-grossing Indian film worldwide]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4535|title=Top All Time India Grossers All Formats – 2.0 Second |website=Box Office India|access-date=25 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4533|title=2.0 All India Update – Crosses 400 Crore NETT|website= Box Office India|access-date=25 December 2019}}</ref> In 2019, Rajinikanth starred in [[Karthik Subbaraj]]'s ''[[Petta (film)|Petta]]'', in which his performance received praise for his return to his vintage stereotypical style of acting and grossed over {{INRConvert|250|c}}, becoming the [[List of Tamil films of 2019|second highest-grossing Tamil film]] of 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/box-office/article/rs-1000-crore-thats-how-much-rajinikanths-three-films-grossed-at-the-worldwide-box-office-in-a-span-of-7-months/358526|title=Rs 1000 crore! That's how much Rajinikanth's three films grossed at the box office in a span of 7 months|website=timesnownews|date=2 February 2019|access-date=4 November 2019}}</ref> The combined gross earnings of ''Kaala'', ''2.0'' and ''Petta'' by the end of January 2019 was determined to be over {{INR}}1000 crore according to trade analysts.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/box-office/article/rs-1000-crore-thats-how-much-rajinikanths-three-films-grossed-at-the-worldwide-box-office-in-a-span-of-7-months/358526 |title=Rs 1000 crore! That's how much Rajinikanth's three films grossed at the worldwide box office in a span of 7 months &#124; Entertainment News |date=2 February 2019 |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202212029/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/box-office/article/rs-1000-crore-thats-how-much-rajinikanths-three-films-grossed-at-the-worldwide-box-office-in-a-span-of-7-months/358526 |archive-date=2 February 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rajinikanth then worked with [[AR Murugadoss]] in the film ''[[Darbar (film)|Darbar]]'', alongside [[Nayanthara]] which released in 2020. He played the role of a police officer after 27 years since his last film as a police officer was the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] film ''[[Pandian (film)|Pandian]]''. In spite of the huge expectations, the film received mixed to negative reviews and flopped at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 January 2020 |title=Darbar box office: Film ends up as a colossal flop, distributors plan to approach Rajinikanth |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/darbar-box-office-film-ends-up-as-a-colossal-flop-distributors-plan-to-approach-rajinikanth/story-j7miLvAkLvmFHhqd59cuLM.html|access-date=28 August 2020 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 January 2020 |title=Rajinikanth's Darbar is AR Murugadoss' failure |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/opinion-entertainment/rajinikanth-darbar-is-ar-murugadoss-failure-6208719/|access-date=28 August 2020 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> His 168th film was with director [[Siva (director)|Siva]], titled ''[[Annaatthe]]'' co-starring Nayanthara and [[Keerthy Suresh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/annaatthe|title=Annaatthe (2024)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] }}</ref> The film was released on 4 November 2021.<ref>{{cite news  |title=Rajinikanth's Annaatthe to hit screens on November 4 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/rajinikanths-annaatthe-to-hit-screens-on-november-4/articleshow/80450919.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126184148/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/rajinikanths-annaatthe-to-hit-screens-on-november-4/articleshow/80450919.cms |archive-date=26 January 2021 |access-date=25 January 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The film became a commercial success at the box office by grossing around {{INRConvert| 240|c|lk=c|year=2021}} beating the collections made by other Tamil films such as ''[[Master (2021 film)|Master]]'' and ''[[Maanaadu]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/rajinikanth-pays-surprise-visit-to-annaatthe-director-siruthai-siva-carries-this-gift-4540088.html|title=Rajinikanth Pays Surprise Visit to Annaatthe Director Siruthai Siva, Carries This Gift|website=[[News18]]|date=10 December 2021 |access-date=10 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Annaatthe Box Office Rajinikanth Starrer Becomes One Of The Biggest Blockbuster of The Year Enters 200 Crore Club |url=https://www.india.com/entertainment/annaatthe-box-office-rajinikanth-starrer-becomes-biggest-blockbuster-of-the-year-enters-%e2%82%b9200-crore-club-5096002/ |access-date=2022-01-03 |website=www.india.com |date=15 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=K. |first=Janani |date=14 November 2021 |title=Annaatthe box office collection Day 10: Rajinikanth film is still going strong |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/annaatthe-box-office-collection-day-10-rajinikanth-film-is-still-going-strong-1876495-2021-11-14 |access-date=14 November 2021 |website=India Today |archive-date=14 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114040425/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/annaatthe-box-office-collection-day-10-rajinikanth-film-is-still-going-strong-1876495-2021-11-14 |url-status=live }}</ref>

After a two-year absence from big screen, his 169th film is ''[[Jailer (2023 Tamil film)|Jailer]]'', which was directed by [[Nelson Dilipkumar]]. He played a retired jailer in the film and it was released on 10 August 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 February 2022 |title=Rajinikanth teams up with Nelson for 'Thalaivar 169' |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/rajinikanth-teams-up-with-nelson-for-thalaivar-169/article38407701.ece |url-status=live |access-date=10 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210152043/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/rajinikanth-teams-up-with-nelson-for-thalaivar-169/article38407701.ece |archive-date=10 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 June 2022 |title=Nelson-Rajinikanth's Thalaivar 169 titled Jailer |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2022/jun/17/nelson-rajinikanths-thalaivar-169-titled-jailer-32155.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619123732/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2022/jun/17/nelson-rajinikanths-thalaivar-169-titled-jailer-32155.html|archive-date=19 June 2022 |access-date=8 July 2022 |website=[[Cinema Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 June 2022 |title=#Thalaivar169 by Nelson Dilipkumar titled Jailer |url=https://www.dtnext.in/cinema/2022/06/17/thalaivar169-by-nelson-dilipkumar-titled-jailer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617083037/https://www.dtnext.in/cinema/2022/06/17/thalaivar169-by-nelson-dilipkumar-titled-jailer |archive-date=17 June 2022 |access-date=17 June 2022 |website=[[DT Next]]}}</ref> The film received predominantly positive reviews upon its release and achieved tremendous commercial success, grossing over 600 crores worldwide.<ref name="Jailer">{{Cite news |title='Jailer' box office collection grossed over Rs 600 crore |work=[[India Today]]|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/jailer-box-office-collection-day-29-rajinikanths-film-is-steady-despite-jawan-release-2432744-2023-09-08}}</ref> In 2024, he appeared in [[T. J. Gnanavel]]'s [[Action (genre)|action drama]] film ''[[Vettaiyan]]'' and did a guest appearance in his daughter's ([[Aishwarya Rajinikanth]]) [[Sport film|sports drama]] film ''[[Lal Salaam (2024 film)|Lal Salaam]]''.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/thalaivar-170-titled-lal-salaam-rajinikanth-takes-a-cameo-role-while-vishnu-vishal-and-vikranth-play-leads-in-aishwarya-rajinikanths-directorial/amp_articleshow/95315078.cms | title='Thalaivar 170' titled 'Lal Salaam'; Rajinikanth takes a cameo role while Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth play leads in Aishwarya Rajinikanth's directorial | newspaper=The Times of India }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 September 2023 |title='Thalaivar 170' pre-production work has reached the final stage |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/rajinikanth-to-speak-kanyakumari-tamil-in-thalaivar-170/articleshow/103864928.cms?from=mdr |access-date= |website=[[Times of India]]}}</ref> While the latter sank without a trace, ''Vettaiyan'' opened to positive critical reception, but underperformed commercially.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 February 2024 |title=Lal Salaam box office Day 6: Aishwarya Rajinikanth's film continues its underwhelming run, yet to hit Rs 15 crore mark |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/lal-salaam-box-office-day-6-aishwarya-rajinikanths-film-continues-its-underwhelming-run-yet-to-hit-rs-15-crore-mark-9162609/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215060716/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/lal-salaam-box-office-day-6-aishwarya-rajinikanths-film-continues-its-underwhelming-run-yet-to-hit-rs-15-crore-mark-9162609/ |archive-date=15 February 2024 |access-date=15 February 2024 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/vettaiyan-final-box-office-collections-worldwide-rajinikanths-cop-action-drama-set-to-end-its-theatrical-run-at-rs-230-crore-1355742|title=Vettaiyan Final Box Office Collections Worldwide: Rajinikanth's cop action-drama set to end it's theatrical run at Rs 240 crore|date=30 October 2024}}</ref>

==== Upcoming projects ====

[[Sun Pictures]] officially announced his 171st film with [[Lokesh Kanagaraj]] as the director, confirming the rumors of his collaboration with Rajinikanth. On 22 April 2024, the title of the project was revealed as ''[[Coolie (upcoming film)|Coolie]]'' with the teaser release.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-22 |title=Thalaivar 171 is titled Coolie: Rajinikanth is back with more power in Lokesh Kanagaraj's next, watch teaser |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/thalaivar-171-coolie-rajinikanth-lokesh-kanagaraj-9284648/ |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> In October 2023, Lokesh Kanagaraj disclosed that the principal photography of the film is scheduled to begin in March 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 October 2023 |title=Lokesh Kanagaraj to begin 'Thalaivar 171' in March 2024 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/lokesh-kanagaraj-to-begin-thalaivar-171-in-march-2024/articleshow/104486492.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021145408/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/lokesh-kanagaraj-to-begin-thalaivar-171-in-march-2024/articleshow/104486492.cms |archive-date=21 October 2023 |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> However, due to a series of delays, filming only began in July 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 July 2024 |title=Shooting Of Rajinikanth's Coolie Begins |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/shooting-of-rajinikanths-coolie-begins-article-111505484 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705070704/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/shooting-of-rajinikanths-coolie-begins-article-111505484 |archive-date=5 July 2024 |access-date=4 January 2025 |website=[[Times Now]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 July 2024 |title=Rajinikanth and Shruti Haasan begin 'Coolie' shooting |url=https://telugucinema.com/news/rajinikanth-and-shruti-haasan-begin-coolie-shooting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705151903/https://telugucinema.com/news/rajinikanth-and-shruti-haasan-begin-coolie-shooting |archive-date=5 July 2024 |access-date=4 January 2025 |website=[[Telugucinema.com]] |language=en}}</ref> Release is planned for mid-2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 November 2024 |title=Lokesh Kanagaraj reveals Rajinikanth's 'Coolie' release plans |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/lokesh-kanagaraj-reveals-rajinikanths-coolie-release-plans/articleshow/115009604.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20241107081101/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/lokesh-kanagaraj-reveals-rajinikanths-coolie-release-plans/articleshow/115009604.cms |archive-date=7 November 2024 |access-date=4 January 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> He is currently working on [[Jailer 2]] Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Rohan |date=2025-04-10 |title=Jailer 2 Release Date Buzz: Rajinikanth’s Action Sequel Aiming For 2025 Or 2026, Fans Await Official Confirmation |url=https://www.koimoi.com/south-indian-cinema/jailer-2-release-date-buzz-rajinikanths-action-sequel-aiming-for-2025-or-2026-fans-await-official-confirmation/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Koimoi |language=en-US}}</ref>