Do you know that Rajinikanth was once humiliated by a producer and thrown out?
When he arrived, the production manager asked him to sit for makeup, but Rajinikanth refused until he received the advance. He stated, “I told him that I wouldn’t proceed without getting Rs. 1,000.”
Excerpt: In the 1970s, early in his career, Rajinikanth faced a significant setback when a producer insulted him and threw him off the set. Despite being promised an advance payment for his role, Rajinikanth was left uncompensated and humiliated.
Rajinikanth is a legendary figure in Indian cinema. His career has been marked by immense popularity and respect. However, his rise to stardom wasn't always smooth. One notable incident from the 1970s, shared by Rajinikanth himself, illustrates a challenging moment that played a significant role in shaping his career.
During the audio launch of his film Darbar in January 2020 Rajinikanth recounted a painful experience from his early days as an actor. He talked about a time when a producer deeply insulted him, a moment that eventually contributed to his rise as a superstar.
Rajinikanth was cast in a project and agreed to a payment of Rs. 6000. However, he requested an advance to secure his role. On the day of the shoot, the advance had not been paid, but Rajinikanth proceeded to the set, expecting the producer to fulfill the promise.
When he arrived, the production manager asked him to sit for makeup, but Rajinikanth refused until he received the advance. He stated, "I told him that I wouldn't proceed without getting Rs. 1,000."
The producer, displeased with Rajinikanth's insistence on the advance, reacted harshly. Arriving in a luxurious ambassador car, the producer questioned Rajinikanth's status as an artist and told him, "Are you a big artist or what? Just because you've done a few films, won't you sit for makeup without advance? No character for you. Get out."
Rejected and insulted, Rajinikanth was forced to walk home since the producer refused to offer him a ride. On his way, he noticed that people recognized him and shouted lines from his recent film. At first, he thought they were mocking him. However, this experience sparked a determination in him to achieve success and return to that studio with a foreign car.
Rajinikanth promised himself that he would return to the studio only after achieving significant success. He set a goal to own a foreign car and work hard to make it happen. He eventually bought an Italian Fiat and hired a chauffeur in uniform.
True to his word, Rajinikanth returned to the studio where he was once humiliated. He arrived in style, with his car parked where the producer's car used to be. Rajinikanth recalled, "With one leg over the other, I was sitting royally. My car entered AVM Studios and Robinson parked the car where the producer used to park. I got down and smoked two cigarettes. Many thought the Governor had come."
Rajinikanth Work Front As of 2023, Rajinikanth has continued to shine in his career with major hits like Lal Salaam and Jailer. He is set to star in two upcoming films, Vettaiyan (releasing in 2024) and Coolie (releasing in 2025).