Rajinikanth Opens Up About Early Struggles: Worked as a Coolie, ‘Cried for the First Time in My Life’

Rajinikanth Recalls Working as a Coolie: ‘Cried for the First Time in My Life.’

Rajinikanth’s latest film Coolie has hit theatres, sparking nationwide celebrations as fans flock to witness the magic of Thalaivar once again. But beyond the glitz, the film holds a deeply personal meaning for the superstar.

While many know that Rajinikanth began his career as a bus conductor, fewer are aware that he also briefly worked as a coolie—a role he now portrays on screen in Coolie, the story of a former union leader taking on a corrupt syndicate. During a recent promotional event, he shared an emotional memory from those early years.

“Father Asked Me to Work as a Coolie”

Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad in Karnataka, Rajinikanth lost his mother early and spent time in an ashram acting in plays. Later, at his father’s insistence, he worked as a coolie, lifting sacks. Recalling the incident, he said:

“My father strictly ordered me to work as a coolie. I loaded three sacks onto a handcart. What was supposed to be a 500-meter trip turned into 1–1.5 km due to a traffic diversion.”

“No Easy Task”

He described the challenge:

“Balancing the sacks was difficult. The road was full of buses, lorries, and potholes. At one point, a sack fell, and people yelled from all directions. Bus passengers shouted, and bystanders questioned me. I suppose I looked too skinny to be doing this job.”

Despite the struggle, he completed the task and delivered the sacks.

“Cried for the First Time in My Life”

Afterward, his college friend Muniswamy, who happened to hand him Rs 2 as a tip, teased him, saying, “You acted so big, and now look at you!” It was at that moment, leaning on the sacks, that Rajinikanth cried for the first time in his life.

Coolie Makes Box Office History

Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie also stars Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, and Upendra, with a special cameo by Aamir Khan. The film opened to massive advance bookings and grossed around Rs 150 crore worldwide on its opening day, making it the highest-opening Tamil film ever.