Rajinikanth's first film, Apoorva Raagangal, hit theatres on August 15, 1975. With Coolie's release on August 14, 2025, the veteran actor completes fifty whole years in the film industry. With over 171 films, Rajinikanth's roles, characters, performances, and stories have evolved over time, and so has the audience. But one thing remains a constant: his style and mass appeal.
As Rajinikanth's career clocks 50, here's a look back at the opinions of Cinema Express' critics on the superstar's films, from The New Indian Express archives:
Mullum Malarum was director Mahendran's debut and also starred Sarath Babu, Jayalaxmi and Sobha, along with Rajinikanth.
Helmed by SP Muthuraman, Murattu Kaalai also stars Rati Agnihotri, Sumalatha and Jaishankar.
Also starring Sivaji Ganesan and Ambika, Padikkadavan was helmed by Rajasekhar.
Sarath Babu, Amala and Pallavi starred alongside Rajinikanth in this SP Muthuraman directorial.
R Sundarrajan helmed Rajathiraja starring Rajinikanth in a dual role alongside Nadhiya and Radha.
A remake of the 1987 Hindi film Khudgarz, which itself is based on Jeffrey Archer's 1979 novel Kane and Abel, Annaamalai is helmed by Suresh Krissna and also stars Khushbu, Sarath Babu, and Rekha in prominent roles.
This P Vasu directorial, also starring Vijayashanti and Khushbu is a remake of the 1986 Kannada film Anuraga Aralithu.
Written and directed by RV Udayakumar, the film stars Rajinikanth, Meena and Aishwarya, with MN Nambiar, Manorama, Vijayakumar and Napoleon in supporting roles.
This P Vasu films stars Roja, Vijayakumar and Radha Ravi alongside Rajinikanth.
This KS Ravikumar directorial stars Meena as the female lead, with Sarath Babu, Radha Ravi, Senthil, Vadivelu, Jayabharathi, Subhashri and Ponnambalam in supporting roles.
Helmed by KS Ravikumar, the film stars Sivaji Ganesan in his penultimate release and Rajinikanth in the titular lead. Ramya Krishnan and Soundarya share other lead roles.
The film stars Vinayakan, Ramya Krishnan, Vasanth Ravi and Mirnaa Menon, while Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, Tamannaah Bhatia and Jackie Shroff appear in cameo appearances. It is helmed by Nelson.