Indian actor Rajinikanth has appeared predominantly in Tamil cinema.[1] He began his film career by playing antagonistic and supporting roles before graduating to a lead actor.[2] After starring in numerous commercially successful films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he has continued to hold a matinée idol status in the popular culture of Tamil Nadu.[3] Writing for Slate, Grady Hendrix called him the "biggest movie star you've probably never heard of."[4] Rajinikanth has also worked in other Indian film industries such as Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.[5]