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Rs 275 to Superstar: Rajinikanth's Humble Beginnings
31 May
Summary
- Rajinikanth began his career as a bus conductor earning Rs 275 monthly.
- A resurfaced 1971 ID card details his humble beginnings as Shivaji Rao Gaikwad.
- His journey from conductor to celebrated actor spans over five decades.
A recently surfaced Bangalore Transport Service (BTS) identity card from 1971 has brought attention back to the early life of Indian cinema icon Rajinikanth, originally Shivaji Rao Gaikwad. The card shows him working as a bus conductor, earning a monthly salary of Rs 275.
This discovery has sparked admiration online, highlighting his incredible journey from a modest beginning to becoming one of India's highest-paid actors. His path to stardom began after he enrolled in the Madras Film Institute, where filmmaker K. Balachander discovered his talent.
Balachander cast Rajinikanth in the 1975 film Apoorva Raagangal, marking the start of a career that has now spanned more than five decades. He has since evolved into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for his unique style and immense connect with audiences across India and globally.
