'Padayappa', 'Baashha' and Other Hit Tamil Films of 'Lingaa' Star Rajinikanth [PHOTOS]

Superstar Rajinikanth, who has acted in more than 170 films in various languages, has two major reasons to celebrate today (Friday). The actor turns 64, and his latest blockbuster film "Lingaa" released on the same day, is receiving good response from his fans across the world.

Rajinikanth, who worked as a bus conductor in Bangalore before starting his acting career in 1975 in Kollywood, went on to become the superstar of Tamil films. 

Check out the actor's best Tamil films in his career.

Apoorva Raagangal (1975)

The actor, who is famous for his punch dialogues and mannerisms, made his acting debut in K Balachander's 1975 film "Apoorva Raagangal" with Kamal Haasan and Srividya. Rajinikanth was seen in a minor role in his debut movie. He was seen as Srividya's long-lost husband, but his role Pandiyan, becomes one of the most important characters he has ever done in his career.

Sri Raghavendra (1985)

SP Muthuraman's directorial devotional drama "Sri Raghavendra", based on the life of Hindu saint Raghavendra, was the superstar's 100^th film. The film failed to make a mark at the box office, but Rajini's performance was well appreciated.

Thalapathy (1991)

The film, directed by Mani Ratnam and stars Rajinikanth, Mammootty, Shobana, Arvind Swamy, Srividya, Bhanupriya and Charuhasan in the lead roles, was based on the epic Mahabharata. Interestingly, the film in which Rajini played the role of Surya had two endings. While the character played by Rajini survived in its Tamil version, his character was seen dying in the Malayalam version, and it was understood that Rajini fans can never accept their super hero's death in films.

Annamalai (1992)

"Annamalai", directed by Suresh Krishna in 1992 is famous for Rajini's punch dialogue "Naan solrathaiyum seiven, sollathathiyum seiven" (I'll do what I say. I'll also do what I do not say). The film also stars Kushboo and Sarath Babu in the lead roles, which was based on Jaffrey Archer's novel "Kane and Abel".

Muthu (1995)

This Rajini starrer, directed by KS Ravikumar, was a partial remake of Mohanlal and Sobhana's "Thenmaavin Kombath". The blockbuster film completed 175 days at the box office and was dubbed into Telugu, Hindi and Japanese, and grossed more than $ 1.6 million in Japan in 1998. "Naan eppo varuven, epdi varuvennu yarukkum theriyathu. Aana vara vendiya nerathula correcta vandhuduven" (No one can tell when or how I'll come, but I always do, when the time is right) is also Rajini's one of the famous dialogues.

Baashha (1995)

Rajini received many accolades for his performance as Manikkam Baashha, an auto driver who helps the needy, in the action thriller "Baashha". The film, directed by Suresh Krishna was a box office hit, and the songs "Naan Autokaaran" and "Style Style Thaan" are still famous for Rajini's dance. His fans still remember him for the dialogue, "Naan oru thadava sonna, nooru thadava sonna maadiri" (If I say something once, it is like saying it a hundred times)

Arunachalam (1997)

The film, directed by Sundar C opened to good reviews and received three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. The Rajini starrer also had Soundarya and Rambha in the lead roles.

Padayappa (1999)

In KS Ravikumar's 1999 film "Padayappa", Rajini was seen in the title role as a mechanical engineer, who comes to attend his sister's wedding from the US. The film was well received by the audience and had the biggest opening ever. "En vazhi, thani vazhi" (My way is my own) is one of the actor's famous dialogue in the film.

Sivaji (2007)

Rajinikanth and Shriya Saran's action thriller "Shivaji" tells the story of a software systems architect, who returns to India from the US. "Pera kettaale chumma adhirudhulla!" (Doesn't everything quake at the mere mention of my name?) is also one of the legendary dialogues by the action hero.

Enthiran (2010)

The science fiction techno thriller, co-written and directed by Shankar, starring Rajini and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the lead roles, took almost two years to complete. It was released worldwide in Telugu and Hindi, and was the most expensive film of its time.