Man of Style !

 Man of Style - Super Star Rajnikanth 

12.12.24 

12th December marks his birthday. 

How this date was registered is my memory is a question I ponder upon today ?

When I was young, I used tear the paper to unveil his face printed on the Daily Calendar marking his birthday, it got registered in my memory. That's how I grew watching him .. his movies..

I'm a movie buff, there are so many great artists I admire, but This Man is different  from all of them whom I adore. 

My first ever movie experience on a big screen was His Movie. I never knew what is theatres and I happened to land upon the famous Drive In Theatre of Chennai (which closed recently). I only feebly remember watching a scene in that movie. 

As recollected my FIRST Theatre experience by my aunt...

 I had the luxury of watching Him sitting on the seats of car. As there were more fighting sequences in the movie, as a small child, I hide myself at the back of the car seat. The movie made to cry because of the fights and some emotional scenes. My people at home thought that it was a bad idea to take me to the movie. But, here comes the twist...

From the next day, they noticed me explaing the scene what I saw with full excitement and even repeating the movie dialogues ! 

Later I came to know that the movie name is Thalapathy ! 

Well, that's the power of this Man ! 

After this First Theatrical experience, I could recognise his name and face.

Years goes by, I went to school and I never get much chance to go to theatres. Going to theatres is a big scene back then.. I will be watching only TV to get myself entertained.His movies releases and when it gets telecasted on TV channels, I get glued to it. 

In such timeline, one day while I was going to school in auto along with other school kids. Two boys was discussing (actually boasting ... exaggerating would be better) their experience of watching a recently released movie. I have not seen that anyhow. They were saying some dialogues and making mannerisms which the hero did in the movie. I was just a listener back and I couldn't participate much as I haven't seen any movie in theatre. But, by then I know who is the Hero whom there are talking about and whom I watched on big screen.

 His name is Super Star Rajnikanth.

The movie was Baasha !!! From that day, I wanted to watch FDFS of Rajni movie. 

Baasha...Sun TV has the rights of Baasha movie and whenever they feel TRP is down, they just play on Sunday evening and the entire crowd turns on to Sun TV even in the era of OTT.

In 2017, when Baasha was re-released, I watched it at Sathyam Theatres experiencing theatre vibe, sound, excitement. The excitement was so huge that, it feels like watching for the first time when the title card just pops out and 'Sathyam Cinemas' set appears on the song background.

Baasha is the reason because of which I wanted to watch FDFS of Rajni movie. 

Getting  FDFS tickets isn't a easy task, esp. at Chennai. We need to have influence beyond money to secure it. But, somehow I managed to watch First day or atleast First Weekend whenever his movies got released. 

Every movie release became a story to remember beyond the movie story as he started making less number of movies per year. That doesn't stop me from exploring and appreciating his previous movies. That helped me to understand that, he not just a Star who sweeps off feet with his Style & Swag. He is a great performer, a wonderful actor,  amazing comedian and a deadly villian.

Beyond cinema, watching him and listening to his speech gives me confidence, understand philosophy and appreciate Spirutality.Himalayas and Swami Ragavendrar felt nearby as he chose both. Specifically written songs lyrics and sung (predominantly) by legendary singer SPB gave more philosophical ideas and instil confidence when we feel low. 

His journey from Bus Conductor to Super Star is always inspiring to listen and read. My Bschool professor once quoted, there some Bschool who chose the casestudies on Rajni (esp marketing ) to teach but we don't. Though I never had his story in my academia but still.. He is a phenomenon to decipher ! 

As a matter of fact : My dream of FDFS got satisfied in 2023 with Jailer ! 

As I started working, my friends circle also expanded. I met many new people from different walks of life, city and culture.

First time, in 2011 I got a Cadbury Chocolate on 12.12.11  from my friend .. When I asked what's special ?? She replied saying, my aunt asked me to get chocolates for my friends as today is Thalaivar's Birthday. I was pleasantly surprised on this gesture. I thought, I was lucky to be named as her friend and thus I received the chocolate.

But, that doesn't end there...

Next year.. 2012

(There was movie about 2012 that world would end.. Nothing of the sort happened..)

But, on the iconic date, 12.12.12 

Myself and my friends went to office cafeteria which was ran by a hotel outlet. As we went to bill our breakfast order, along with the bill the cashier offered us a plate full of chocolates asking us to take it. When we gave an amused look, he said - Thalaivar Birthday. 

From then onwards, every Thalaivar Birthday - I can't stop myself from recollecting the story. 

More special moment happened even today, in 2024 12 years later... 12.12.24 

My friend text me today in the WhatsApp group reminding....

Today we get chocolates from the restaurant cashier. My face lit up with a bright smile !!!

Yeah, it's Thalaivar's Bday !!!

HBD Super Star Rajnikanth !!!

12.12.24