The following are some movies which I think are Rajini’s best. Rajini is best known for his charisma on screen, and nowadays he can gaurantee a movies sucess just by being present in it. His last few films have started to focus on the trends his fans have expected from him, while his earlier movies really showcase the actor in him. Either way, Rajini is a great actor and person, and here are some of my favourites. I don’t know if it’s just me, becuse some of my favourites, the other Rajini fans seem to dislike.
Thalapathi
A list like this really isn’t complete without mentioning Thalapathi. This is one of my all time favourite movies. The reason I think this movie is so great is beause every single person involved outdid themselves. Rajini and Mamooty’s portray their characters amazingly well, and easily show us the contrast between the two. Mani Ratnams direction and plot kept us hanging for the entire film, and blended a gangster movie with a movie about family and friendship. Illayaraja’s soundtrack is a highlight. Right from the beginning he marks his skill with ’’Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu’’ (#4 on BBC top ten world), and with ’’Kattu Kuyile’’, combining the two greats SPB and Yesudas. This movie is just one of the few that was made perfectly, and we have mostly Mani Ratnam to thank for that.
Netrikan
The classic double role by Rajini, starring a womaniser father and his son. His acting is good so that you believe they are two different people, rather than two Rajini roles (I’m saying since in this movie they don’t use any super make up techniques to distinguish between the two roles).
Dharma Durai
Here’s another movie no one seems to like, I’m guessing because in this movie, Rajini isn’t a superhero who destroys all his enemies. This movie really builds on Rajini’s skill of playing naive roles, and for sure his character here is. The first half of the movie is how Rajini is taken advantage of by his brothers, and the conclusion has him rescuing them. Illayaraja’s soundtrack is decent, but not special. Maasi Maasam is a pretty good song, and Annan Enna has a nice tune.
Ejamaan
In this movie Rajini portrays his acting skills, taking on the role of Vanavarayan, the village leader respected by all others. He forms rivalry with Vallavarayan, which climaxes when Vanavarayan wins the hand of Vaitheesvari, who Vallavarayan wanted to marry. Because of this, Vallavarayan asks a priest to poison Vaitheeswari so that she cannot have children. That becomes a major plotline through the movie. I don’t believe the majority of Rajini fans will place this movie very high because it is a sentimental movie, but Rajini easily treads through that territory. In the scene where Vaitheeswari excitedly asks the villagers about what their childrens names should be (not knowing what happened to her) Vanavarayan joins in just to make Vaitheeswari happy but his grief stricken face as he walks away from her, knowing what their true fate is really gets to you. On the other hand, the comedy from Koundamani and Senthil are hilarious, especially in their early encounters with each other. Illayaraja, of course delivers an amazing soundtrack, with each song making us think it’s the best...until we hear the next one. ’’Ejamaan Kaaladi’’ fits the movie very well.
Baasha
Baasha seems to be one of his popular movies, and I can see why. Although it is a post-Annamalai Rajini movie, it has a distinguishable storyline and good acting. Though Illayaraja is absent, the songs are all great and portrayed well (except for Style Style). Rajini plays his double role well (actually it’s one role really....just at different times), and the first half of the movie, which hints at Manikkam’s past is done very well and in a menacing manner. The climax of the movie has a very suspenseful and brooding tone to it, though the final ending is somewhat a letdown.
Illamai Oonjaladukirathu
Okay, okay, it’s not a Rajini movie really, but the combination of Rajini and Kamal Hassan is so good that I can’t pass up writing it in here.
And those are my favourite Rajini movies. I know it’s not 10, but hey I don’t have that much time :) If I had to pick my favourites between them I’d say Thalapathi and Ejamaan.