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How Rajinikanth Became a Brand for All Seasons

Published: Sep 21, 2013 06:29:31 AM IST
Updated: Sep 18, 2013 02:09:41 PM IST
How Rajinikanth Became a Brand for All Seasons

Be it a shampoo, a service or even a film star, branding is the surest way to get noticed in a cluttered market. Tamil cinema’s most enduring star, Rajinikanth, knew this at the outset.

“Rajini’s motto was ‘differentiate and dominate’. Establishing individuality was the nucleus of his work,” write PC Balasubramanian, founder of Matrix Business Services, and Ram N Ramkrishnan, a management consultant, in their book Grand Brand Rajini. It traces the journey of a “lungi-clad, beedi-smoking villain” to a “sophisticated digital robot”; the evolution of a mere product to a timeless brand that “provides credibility, connects with customers emotionally, motivates a buyer and creates user loyalty”.

Throughout his four-decade-long career, Rajini has developed unique brand attributes that have enabled him to be distinct from other luminaries of Tamil cinema, such as MGR, Sivaji Ganesan and Kamal Haasan. The writers argue that “the Rajini brand became saleable through imagination”.

He was neither the archetypal hero nor the regular villain but his version of histrionics captured the market. His twist of glasses, chucking of the cigarette to the lips, and crackling punch lines ensured instant brand recall. They were as powerful as Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ or Intel’s signature jingle, the writers say.

Films have a shelf life but their stars don’t—they become brands. And as the book points out, “Brand Rajini sells itself. The products are secondary to the brand. His fans don’t go to watch the films. They go to watch him.”
 

(This story appears in the 04 October, 2013 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)

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  • Manivannansadasivam

    Recently, I had published this post: 6 Super-Awesome Lessons Superstar Rajinikanth Can Teach Businesses About Branding. Interested readers can check out the link below: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-super-awesome-lessons-superstar-rajinikanth-can-teach-sadasivam I would be happy to know your comments.

    on Feb 11, 2016
  • Dmp

    Sohini Mitter is correct, most of his fans going to watch the \"SUPER STAR RAJNI KANTH\" including me. (super star first, movie next)

    on Jan 20, 2014
  • K Sunder

    Its not correct to say that fans go to watch him and not his movies. The superstar teams up with the best directors and music directors to ensure his fans have a good time. It is however that he must be there in each and every frame. His co-stars must stand with their hands folded or face the anger of his fans. After all he is the Yesaman!

    on Sep 27, 2013
  • Vijay

    Its wrong to say that fans go to watch only Rajni

    on Sep 25, 2013
  • Bharath

    ..and he is yet to endorse any brands. Kamal Haasan too.. That\'s why they are different from SRKs and Bachchans of the world...

    on Sep 25, 2013
  • Sunder

    Rajini, the Mantra and Grand Super Star of all times...

    on Sep 24, 2013
  • Sudhansk

    world super star Rajini

    on Sep 23, 2013
  • Dr.a.jagadeesh

    How about Amitabh Bachan?

    on Sep 22, 2013
    • Dmp

      i think, they have nothing to say big about the BB so, they doesn\'t say anything:)

      on Jan 20, 2014