The many shades of Rajinikanth: The Navarasa tucked within his 50 years of glorious Tamil cinema

For most of us, Rajinikanth, the superstar of Tamil cinema, is known as a man who redefined style onscreen. For others, he is a larger-than-life hero, and for most, he is the man who put South cinema on the Indian map. Of course, Rajinikanth is all of this. But beyond the swag and charisma is the man who is known for his versatility. Entered Tamil cinema as a supporting actor, grew up playing a villain, and then a hero celebrated by all, Rajinikanth is also the master of subtle acting, silent villainy, and nuanced performances.

As the icon celebrates 50 years in cinema, OTTplay honours Thalaivar as part of Hindustan Times' masthead.. The superstar is no less of a living legend, and we are delighted to be Rajinified once again with Rajinikanth Times! Grab a copy of the November 19 HT edition from your nearest stands. And gear up to stream Rajinikanth in all his glory and different shades of Navarasa.

(All the below-mentioned films are available under various OTTplay Premium subscription plans)

Love – Johnny (Prime Video)

Who has escaped the wrath of love? Not even Rajinikanth in this 1980 crime thriller. Co-starring actor Sridevi, Johnny is directed by Mahendran and tucks in a quite love story within the life of an ethically questionable. Can a con-man love? Or does he deserve the taste of romance? Balu Mahendra makes a case with Johnny. The romance between Sridevi and Rajinikanth went to make them one of the iconic duos of Tamil cinema, not to forget the Ilaiyaraaja music that only highlighted their chemistry.

Laughter - Thillu Mullu (Aha Tamil)

Thillu Mullu, released in 1981, redefined the image of Rajinikanth to that of a man who can be relatable, flawed, and yet could be any one of us as common as it can get. Directed by K Balachander, the man who introduced Rajinikanth to the silver screen, Thillu Mullu, at its heart, is a comedy film. It is a remake of Hindi's Gol Maal, and stars Rajinikanth as a care-free man who gets a job but lies to his boss about for a day's leave. But when his boss spots him at a cricket match, the man must cover up his lie by pretending to have a twin brother, in what sets out to be a roller-coaster ride of laughter. Rajinikanth’s charismatic aura onscreen can sometimes overpower the sense of humour the superstar has, and Thillu Mullu rightly taps into his other side to give us the perfect number of quips and some food for thought.

Also read: Explore Rajinikanth's action films that deserve praise

Compassion – Mullum Malarum (Prime Video)

Mullum Malarum, from director Mahendran, is the story of a brother and sister. It is that of the unconditional love that Rajinikanth's Kali instils in his sister, played by Shoba. Considered as one of the all-time favourite films of Rajinikanth by his fans, Mullum Malarum roots for the compassion that every human should practise. With Ilaiyaraaja's music, and the direction of Balu Mahendra, who also shot it, Mullum Malarum shed the tropes of Tamil cinema like melodrama and over-the-top acting, for a much simplistic, and visually-rich film that went on to become as iconic as Rajinikanth himself.

Anger – Baashha (Prime Video)

For most, Baashha is that one film which redefined the idea of Rajinikanth. He was no longer just the angry young man, but also the man who taught what heroism is. Baashha, directed by Suresh Krissna, was beyond just inspired by a scene from the Hindi film Hum. Baashha gave a voice for the common people to raise their voice against the atrocities that happen to them. It is a film that spells out mass, heroism, and the right amount of anger needed in every one of us. How could a mere auto-rickshaw driver be able to bring powerful and corrupt ones to their knees? What is the mystery behind his humbleness? And how did an angry young man channel his anger to make the right win? Baashha is not just an answer to these questions, but also the template that went on to become Tamil cinema’s favourite storytelling way.

Fear – Chandramukhi (SunNXT)

Chandramukhi, the 2005 Tamil remake of the Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu, is a film that scarred many as children. A psychological horror that shows Rajinikanth confronting a mysterious ghost with whom he shares a past with; Chandramukhi is the quintessential horror film to be made. A haunted palace, a woman’s ghost seeking revenge, and multiple mysteries lingering around the corner. Chandramukhi featured Rajinikanth as the infamous villain Vettaiyan, whose ‘lakka lakka lakka’ is still a trademark Rajinikanth dialogue that holds immense pop culture importance.

Also read: Celebrate Thalaiva’s ultimate swag by revisiting his iconic movies on OTT

Courage – Thalapathi (Prime Video)

Thalapathi, coming from director Mani Ratnam, is a film that celebrates courage but not in your typical way. A collaboration of legends - Mammootty and Rajinikanth, Thalapathi celebrates the courage of mankind, the valour of letting go, the bravery in sacrifice, and the idea of finding peace in empathy. Loosely inspired by the Karnan’s episode from the Mahabharat, Thalapathi is the story of a man who must choose between his friend who became family by bond, and his brother, a family by blood. But Thalapathi is beyond this, as it explores the dynamics of a man conflicted by longing and love. It takes courage for him to choose, and Rajinikanth’s portrayal of Surya (symbolising Karnan) rightly delivers the emotions.

Disgust – Netrikann (Prime Video)

Who would have thought Rajinikanth playing a womaniser who had to be taught a lesson. Well, it was director SP Muthuraman in 1981, who made the superstar a lustful, rich entrepreneur who gets taught a lesson rightfully so by the survivor herself. In Netrikann, Rajinikanth played dual characters, and of course, his role as elderly womaniser Chakravarthy reeks of disgust and hate.

Wonder – Enthiran (SunNXT)

Enthiran is a 2010 film, which stars Rajinikanth in no less than a visual spectacle. From the vision of director Shankar, Rajinikanth took the plunge and starred in a sci-fi film, which co-stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. When the powerhouse superstar and grandeur-churning filmmaker collaborated, the result was Enthiran, nothing short of a marvel, which explored the relationship of a man and the machine he invented. Rajinikanth, who played the scientist and robot he invented, takes us back in time when the superstar unleashed his evilness onscreen. One of the highest grossers of Tamil cinema, Enthiran is a perfect concoction of wonder, vision, and novelty.

Peace - Sri Raghavendrar (Prime Video)

Sri Raghavendrar, a film which is close to Rajinikanth's heart, is that of Hindu saint Raghavendra Tirtha. A devotee and ardent follower of the saint, Rajinikanth embodied the calming personality and eventually spread out the message that peace is the utmost and superior quality that mankind can achieve. Sri Raghavendra is Rajinikanth's 100th film, and balanced his other larger-than-life roles, with one that travelled in tranquillity and kindness.