Performer, entertainer — fans celebrate Rajini

After receiving Dadasaheb Phalke Award, actor says he is nothing without fans

In his speech on Monday after receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, actor Rajinkanth thanked his fans and said he would have been a “nobody” without them.

For decades, the actor has been heralded by his fans as a performer par excellence, an entertainer like no other, and most importantly, a role model and inspiration for many, given his humble beginnings and meteoric rise in the film industry.

“His speech today at the ceremony was defining of who he has been over the years — he acknowledged those who have shaped him over the years. For many of us, Mr. Rajinikanth has a refreshing take on what makes one a superstar, given how simple and modest he has remained through the years,” said Girish Kalyanaraman, co-founder of Retro Ticket, an online platform dedicated to rediscovering Tamil films.