Happy Birthday Rajinikanth: 9 interesting facts about the superstar

The name Rajinikanth is indisputably one of the most celebrated in Indian cinema. This actor par excellence has secured an unrivalled global fan base through his distinctive on-screen style, high energy and signature "massy" dialogues. Since his debut in 1975, the superstar has retained his status as 'Thalaivar', overshadowing the younger generation of stars. To celebrate his 75th birthday, here we list nine lesser-known facts about the superstar.

Born as Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, Rajinikanth was given his name after the great Maratha king, Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Before venturing into showbiz, Rajinikanth worked various odd jobs, including as a coolie, carpenter and bus conductor.

Although Rajinikanth is celebrated as the superstar of Tamil cinema, he grew up speaking Marathi and Kannada. He learned Tamil while studying at the Madras Film Institute.

Despite his Marathi roots, Rajinikanth has never acted in a Marathi film.

Rajinikanth is the first Indian actor to work on diverse filmmaking technologies, he has appeared in films shot in black and white, colour, 3D and motion capture.

In his illustrious career of over 170 films, he's never been killed on screen. Filmmakers fear the risk of inciting a massive uproar among his fans and consciously avoids casting Rajnikanth in roles where his character dies.

Although Rajinikanth is celebrated for his iconic hero roles, his career actually began with anti-hero characters.

Rajinikanth is the first Indian actor to work on diverse filmmaking technologies. He has appeared in films shot in black and white, colour, 3D and motion capture.

Rajinikanth became the first actor in South India to perform a fight sequence on a moving train in Murattu Kaalai without the use of body doubles.

Rajinikanth made his Bollywood debut with Andhaa Kanoon in 1983, a film that became a massive hit and ran for nearly 50 weeks in theaters, setting a record in itself.