1980-1989

The next phase of his career started with Billa, a remake of the Amitabh Bachchan starer Don. With its success he was accepted as a full-fledged hero. Billa was followed by a row of hits like Pokkiri Raja, Thanikattu Raja, Naan Mahaan Alla and Moondru Mugam. Even two decades after its release, the last continues to be a box-office draw. K. Balachander’s first home production, Netrikan proved to be yet another milestone in Rajini’s career. Rajinikanth's reputation continued to solidify in the 80's primarily due to movies remade from Amitabh Bachchan's Bollywood hits. Amitabh hits such as Khud-Daar, Namak Halaal, Lawaaris, Trishul, and Kasme Vaade, were remade into hit Rajinikanth starrers Padikkadavan, Velaikaran, Panakkaran, Mr. Bharath, and Dharmathin Thalaivan, respectively. He even acted as himself alongside Meena, who was a child actor then, in the movie Anbulla Rajinikanth (1984) In his 100th movie, Sri Raghavendra, he played the Hindu saint Raghavendra Swami.