In the year 1995, 23 years ago, Rajnikath's cult-classic Baasha was released for Pongal. Baasha was a trend-setter in the nineties which was the first of the many films that showed the hero in a ‘negative’ role. The film ran for 368 days grossing record collections and went on to become a massive hit.

Directed by Suresh Krissna, who also delivered another classic hit Annamalai with the Super Star, Baasha has Rajini playing an auto driver with a deadly flashback. The movie is considered to have changed Rajinikanth's career and set the path for his defining style. The film was also instrumental in creating a market for Rajinikanth in Telugu and Hindi.

The Superstar became an overnight rage among the auto drivers of Tamil Nadu and his punch line ‘Naa oru dhadavai sonna, nooru dhadavai sonna maadhri!’ was immortalised. It starred Nagma, Raghuvaran, Janagaraj and Vijayakumar in supporting roles.

The digitally remastered version was released last year in 14 cinemas with 100 shows across Chennai and it had minted Rs 40 lakh on its opening weekend itself.

On the other hand, Rajinikanth’s 2.0, has shaped up very well. Made on a lavish budget, the film is believed to feature over 11,000 computer graphic shots, making it the highest number for an Indian film. A sequel to Enthiran, the film has also stars Amy Jackson, Akshay Kumar and Sudhanshu Pandey in key roles. Kaala directed by Pa Ranjith, who has reunited with Rajinikanth after last year’s Kabali, features Thalaivar in the role of a slum lord turned gangster who fights for the rights of oppressed Tamils in Mumbai. Since the film has been mostly shot against the backdrop of Mumbai, the makers have simultaneously shot the film in Hindi.