The opening of a gate and the introduction to Pandiyan in K Balachandar's Apoorva Ragangal (1975), heralded the beginning of Rajinikanth's journey in cinema. While the length and breadth of his works have enabled audiences to see the actor in several new avatars, read on to learn about certain firsts in his career.
Apoorva Ragangal beyond being the actor's first film, was also the first time he shared the screen with his contemporary, Kamal Haasan. Coincidentally Apoorva Ragangal was also Kamal's first film as a lead actor.
Rajinikanth's sophomore venture, Katha Sangama (1976), a Kannada film by Puttana Kanagal, was the actor's first anthology film. The section of the film in which the actor appears in was later adapted into a feature, titled Kai Kodukkum Kai (1984), which was headlined by Rajinikanth himself.
With Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri (1977), the actor turned leading man, opposite Sivakumar, who broke type by playing a villain.
Just three years later, Rajinikanth faced a turning point in Billa (1980). As the dreaded Johnny, and the well meaning Rajappa, the actor became a star. The actor went on act in multiple roles in the same film starting with Moondru Mugam (1982).
His 100th film, Sri Raghavendrar (1985), marked the first time, that the actor has essayed the role of a real life figure, playing the eponymous spiritual leader.
29 years later, in Soundarya Rajinikanth's Kochadaiyaan (2014), Rajinikanth, had several firsts. It was the first film of his to be shot in 3D, captured in motion capture technology, and made as an animated film.
