November 6, 2024: At the audio launch of his 2020 film Darbar, superstar Rajinikanth captivated the audience with a personal story that showcased his resilience and determination. The beloved actor shared how, before becoming a household name, he faced rejection and humiliation on set, an experience that ultimately fuelled his ambition.
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The incident occurred in the late 1970s, during Rajinikanth’s early career when he was still playing supporting roles or antagonists. He had gained some recognition for his role as ‘Parattai’ in 16 Vayadhiniley, but he was yet to become a solo star. Rajinikanth recalled being offered a role in a film alongside a prominent hero. He negotiated a salary of Rs 10,000, which was eventually reduced to Rs 6,000. Despite agreeing to the terms, he wasn’t given a token advance, with the producer assuring him payment would be made on the first day of the shoot.
However, when the day arrived, the promised payment still hadn’t been made. Rajinikanth refused to start makeup until he was paid. This led to a heated confrontation with the producer, who arrived in an Ambassador car, angrily dismissed him from the project, and told him he wasn’t significant enough to demand such treatment.
Left without transport or money, Rajinikanth walked home, feeling both humiliated and dejected. On his way, he heard people on the buses reciting his dialogues from 16 Vayadhiniley, which he mistook for mockery. That walk, however, became a turning point in his life. Rajinikanth promised himself that he would one day return to the same studio in a foreign car.
After two years of hard work, Rajinikanth achieved success and purchased an Italian-made Fiat car worth Rs 4.25 lakh, a milestone that symbolised his rise in the industry. He humorously shared that he even hired a 6-foot-tall Anglo-Indian driver named Robinson, complete with a uniform, to drive the foreign car.
In a moment of triumph, Rajinikanth drove to AVM Studios, where people mistook his grand arrival for that of a dignitary. He then visited his mentor, K Balachander, to seek blessings, cementing his journey from a struggling actor to the iconic Superstar of Indian cinema.
