Editing Rajinikanth (section)

=== 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>