Shivaji Rao Gaekwad became Rajini on the day of Holi

The name Rajinikanth and Kollywood have always been considered synonymous to each other but there is a small story that traces back the real origins of the real Shivaji Rao Gaekwad’s transformation into a worldwide-phenom calledRajinikanth, a name proudly resting on every Indian’s lips today.

It all happened one full moon day in the month of March, a day when the world was gifted with a Superstar. It was this same day when veteran director and mentor K Balachander (KB) asked the then ‘Shivaji’ to trade his name with a choice amongst 3 names- Chandrakanth,Srikanth and Rajinikanth(all 3 names belonged to characters from Balachander’s very own stage play Major Chandrakanth.) The movie was Rajini’s debut film Apoorva Raagangal and from then on there was no looking back.Rajinikanth rose higher captivating fans with every subsequent release but with all that glitter and glory the humble man never forgot his roots and he had only one man to thank for-KB.

The full moon is here on the day of ‘Holi’ and it brings back those nostalgic moments for Rajini once again. Every year on this special day he seeks blessings from guru Balachanderby paying him a personal visit. Even when shooting in foreign locations Rajini’s simple phone call would find KB easily. Superstar Rajini still remains a simple and humble human being, a real hero to look up to for not only youngsters but elders too .

“What makes humility so desirable is the marvelous thing it does to us; it creates in us a capacity for the closest possible intimacy with God,” no one justifies those lines better than Thalaivar himself.