Rajinikanth is a prime example of effectively managing one’s personal brand. He has remained relevant for over 4 decades in the film industry by being consistent with his image and message. His fans are fiercely loyal and have helped him become one of the most successful actors in the world.
There’s no doubt that Rajinikanth is one of India’s most successful and popular actors. But did you know that his life and career offer many valuable lessons for startups?
Here are 10 things a startup can learn from Rajinikanth.
1. Believe in yourself
Starting a new business can be incredibly challenging, particularly for first-time entrepreneurs. To be successful, it is essential to have strong self-belief and the drive to work hard and never give up. This can certainly be learned from the life and career of superstar actor Rajinikanth.
His unshakeable belief in himself, his skills, and his ambitions were crucial to his success. Rajinikanth never allowed his dark skin or inability to speak Tamil fluently at the time to deter him from trying to attain his dreams. Instead, he took a big chance and quit his job to pursue a career as an actor.
Initially met with skepticism and doubt, Rajinikanth persisted through years of hard work, eventually emerging as the superstar we all know and love today.
In many ways, Rajinikanth’s journey shows the spirit of entrepreneurship: the belief that anything is possible if you focus on your goals, work hard toward them, and never lose sight of your dreams.
2. Start small & grow your way up.
However big your dreams and goals may be, always start small. Work on what you can realistically achieve and grow from there.
With his gradual growth from minor roles to leading man status, Rajinikanth’s story is a testament to the importance of starting small and growing your way up.
In his first movie, “Aboorva Ragangal,” Rajinikanth had a small part and was on screen for less than 5 minutes. But even in that small space, he made an impression. Over the next few years, he played a lot of different characters, including villains and small supporting roles. But he had a special charm, and his stylish mannerisms and unique body language made people want to see his movies. People’s respect for him grew over time, and when he started to play lead roles, he was instantly accepted. In the next few years, he became a superstar, a title he still has even after 40 years.
From day one, Rajinikanth understood the value of building his brand, leveraging his unique individuality and stylishness to gain a loyal following among movie-goers.
By starting small and growing his following with each film he made, he built a career that has now spanned decades. So if you’re thinking about starting your own business, take inspiration from Rajinikanth and remember to think big while starting small.
3. Play to your strengths
While Rajinikanth may have had good acting talent, he recognized that his real strength was in his unique style and mannerisms. Rather than focusing solely on trying to develop his acting skills further, he instead decided to use his actual strengths as a foundation for his career.
Rajinikanth’s success is mainly due to his willingness to tap into what came naturally to him–his unique style and mannerisms–and build on those strengths over time. This allowed him to become one of the biggest stars in India quickly, and it is a lesson that brands would do well to keep in mind as they grow and succeed.
Similarly, brands must also be willing to embrace their weaknesses while focusing on their unique strengths to grow and succeed. Whether it’s your marketing strategy or product line, knowing what makes you stand out from others can be the key to unlocking long-term success.
So if you’re thinking of starting a new business venture, be sure to play to your strengths and embrace your weaknesses along the way–this is how true growth happens!
4. Give what your customers want.
In the world of business, it is often said that success comes down to meeting the needs and expectations of your target audience. And in this regard, no one understands this better than the legendary actor Rajinikanth.
From the start of his career, Rajinikanth knew what his audience wanted: hard-hitting action, exciting plots, and larger-than-life characters. He never failed to deliver these elements in every film, deliberately positioning himself as ‘the superstar’ who could provide blockbuster hits time and time again.
Similarly, as a business owner or manager, you must constantly gauge the wants and expectations of your target market to stay competitive and profitable. Whether it’s releasing new products or adjusting prices based on changing market conditions, you must be able to adapt to satisfy your customers’ needs constantly. After all, if they’re not satisfied with your products or services, then they won’t be coming back for more!
This is the crucial lesson Rajinikanth can teach us: always give your target audience what they want.
5. Think big
At the outset, it is important to think big and aim higher, setting your sights on the stars and refusing to accept any barriers imposed by society or circumstance.
As an entrepreneur, you can learn this as well from Rajinikanth’s incredible life and career. With a focus on thinking big and aiming high, he rose from modest beginnings to achieve astonishing success and grow into an international brand.
His films aimed at the Tamil-speaking audience have always grossed more than Bollywood films distributed nationwide. Rajinikanth’s films were dubbed into several languages, including Japanese, thereby expanding Tamil cinema’s global reach and collection. This is an inspiring example of what can be achieved with vision, determination, and hard work for any new startup company.
With the internet’s power to connect people around the globe, there are no limits to your potential for growth. So seize every opportunity that comes your way, continue working hard toward your goals, and never hesitate to shoot for the stars!
6. Have a strong work ethic
Perhaps the most important lesson one can learn from Rajinikanth is to have a strong work ethic. This means putting in the time and dedication required to be successful, whether it’s spending long hours behind the scenes or connecting with your team on a personal level. You must also demonstrate discipline and dedication in all areas of your work.
Whether shooting a film or interacting with his millions of adoring fans, Rajinikanth always maintained the same solid commitments and dedication that helped make him one of the most beloved actors in history. As a team player, Rajinikanth was well known for his ability to inspire those around him and collaborate with them to achieve great things. Moreover, he understood that discipline is key to success and approached every project with sincerity and integrity.
In short, if we want to be like Rajinikanth – genuinely successful in our endeavors – we must also embrace these lessons about work ethic, teamwork, and commitment.
7. Be a trendsetter
In today’s fast-paced business landscape, companies must be innovative and forward-thinking to stay ahead of the competition. One way to do this is by following the example set by legendary actor Rajinikanth.
Rajinikanth was not content with merely being a market leader or a top-selling brand; he continuously strived to set new trends and innovate his approach.
Despite all the other big-name actors already established when he entered the scene, Rajinikanth managed to set himself apart through his unique style and charismatic personality. Much like a startup company, he was highly creative and willing to try new things when he started, paving the way for a unique style that paved the way for future generations of actors. He truly redefined what it meant to be a star in his industry. As a result, he has remained an iconic figure even decades after his career began.
Like Rajinikanth, any successful startup needs to be charismatic and confident, attracting followers rather than simply being another faceless brand. Whether through bold marketing strategies or groundbreaking products, a startup can learn essential lessons from the life and career of this trendsetting icon.
So if you’re launching a new venture, look to Rajinikanth and be a true trailblazer in your field!
8. Be passionate and consistent about your work.
Passion and consistency are essential for success in any field, and these are two qualities that Rajinikanth embodies in abundance.
Throughout his long and illustrious career, Rajinikanth has shown an unwavering passion for his craft, pushing himself to explore fresh acting styles and try new mannerisms with every role he plays. He is also incredibly consistent, putting in hours of hard work daily to achieve his goals. Whether spending months on a single film or working tirelessly through a grueling daily routine, Rajinikanth stays focused and driven, never giving up or losing sight of his ultimate goal: to be the best.
Such dedication and perseverance have paid off handsomely for Rajinikanth, as evidenced by his tremendous success over the years.
So stay motivated, stay consistent, and never stop grinding – no matter what challenges you face along the way! But regardless of whether one aspires to be an actor or run a business, we can all learn a lot from this excellent example of how perseverance and passion can lead to greatness.
9. Respect your competitors, yet be fiercely competitive.
Anyone who knows about the film industry can attest that success requires ambition, determination, and a fierce competitive spirit. No one embodies these traits more than Rajinikanth, one of the most iconic actors of our time.
Rajinikanth always respected his competitors and shared a healthy appreciation for their work. Still, at the same time, he was uncompromising in his quest to be the best.
Throughout his distinguished career, Rajinikanth never shied away from challenging himself or competing with other great actors. Whether taking on new roles and projects or pushing himself to deliver even bigger blockbusters than before, Rajinikanth always embraced competition as an essential part of success. And through it all, he remains proud to be at the top of his game – the number one star in an industry filled with talented performers.
In many ways, Rajinikanth’s life and career demonstrate what every aspiring startup company can learn: that hard work, dedication, and a willingness to embrace competition will always lead to success.
10. Always stay positive
When it comes to starting and growing a successful business, there are many lessons that we can learn from the life and career of Rajinikanth.
One of the most important is the power of positivity.
Despite several setbacks throughout his career – including box office failures, criticism in the media, health issues, and personal problems – Rajinikanth has always remained positive. He understands that failure is an inevitable part of any journey, but rather than letting these setbacks slow him down, he has persisted in reaching his goals. He understands that failure is unavoidable at times. Still, how you respond to those failures ultimately determines your success or failure.
He has become a true example of perseverance and resilience, two qualities every entrepreneur needs to succeed.
This kind of tenacity is what distinguishes excellent brands from mediocre ones. It will help any startup thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace. So whether you’re just starting or struggling to keep your company afloat, remember to take inspiration from the life of someone like Rajinikanth – anything is possible with a positive attitude and unwavering determination!
To conclude, Rajinikanth’s life and career can be powerful lessons to any aspiring entrepreneur who wants to thrive in a competitive marketplace. He is a great role model for success in any field. Take inspiration from him and take your startup to new levels!
At Web D School, a startup in the edtech industry that provides Digital marketing courses in Chennai, among many other programmes such as UX UI Design, Full stack development, Data Science, etc., we adhere to all of these lessons from Rajinikanth’s life and career. Evidently, we are growing fast and on course to become a superstar brand in our field.
Could you think of any more value a startup can learn from Rajinikanth?
Let us know in the comments below!