‘Padayappa’ to ‘Petta’: Rajinikanth films that will explode your fan-boy heart on the Superstar’s birthday!

Happy birthday to the legendary Superstar Rajinikanth! His films are pure cinematic fireworks, giving fans unforgettable moments of thrill, emotion, and style. Rajinikanth’s unparalleled charisma has earned him a devoted global following. These five movies perfectly showcase his incredible mass appeal — essential watches for every fan.

This 1999 action-drama, directed by K. S. Ravikumar, stars Rajinikanth as Padayappa, an engineer who fights to reclaim his family’s honour. He shines alongside Sivaji Ganesan, Soundarya, and Ramya Krishnan. Ramya Krishnan’s iconic antagonist, Neelambari, delivers a powerhouse performance. The film broke box-office records upon release and is being re-released for his birthday.

Directed by Suresh Krissna, this landmark 1995 gangster action film features Rajinikanth as Manikam, a humble auto-rickshaw driver who hides a violent past from his family. The film also stars Nagma and Raghuvaran as the formidable antagonist. Baasha is widely regarded as one of the greatest action films in Tamil cinema history.

Where to watch: YouTube

Directed by Shankar, this 2007 vigilante action film features Rajinikanth as Sivaji Arumugam, a systems architect who battles political corruption while trying to offer free education and healthcare. The film co-stars Shriya Saran, Vivek, and Suman. At the time of its release, Sivaji was India’s most expensive film ever made.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Zee5, MX Player

Written and directed by Nelson, this 2023 action-comedy stars Rajinikanth as Muthuvel Pandian, a retired jailer who embarks on a mission to track down an eccentric idol smuggler. The film features a stellar supporting cast including Ramya Krishnan and Vinayakan, with special appearances by Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, and Jackie Shroff.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Karthik Subbaraj’s 2019 action drama sees Rajinikanth as Kaali, a mysterious hostel warden with a dangerous past. His life turns upside down when an old enemy returns seeking revenge. With a massive ensemble cast including Vijay Sethupathi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Simran, and Trisha, 'Petta' is a stylish tribute to the Superstar’s iconic 1990s films.

Where to watch: JioCinema, Hotstar