It is October 11, and Amitabh Bachchan’s 73rd birthday. Perfect occasion for a quiz on India’s biggest cinematic superstar, Rajinikanth! Be warned, this is Raijnikanth 1.0, meant essentially for beginners and new converts.

1 Other than the fact that they are both Indian actors, what connects comedian Johnny Walker and Rajinikanth?

2 Rajinikanth’s first film as the lead was a Telugu film, which amazingly was remade by K Balachander in Tamil with Kamal Haasan in the lead role. Name both films.

3 In a recent interview, what did Rajinikanth admit to having picked up from watching Ambareesh in his first movie, Naagarahaavu ?

4 Amitabh and Rajinikanth have acted in a total of three films together. Two are Andha Kanoon and Geraftaar . Name the third.

5 K Balachander’s Apoorva Raagangal was Rajinikanth’s debut film in 1975. What was the name of the Hindi remake of the film, and who did it star?

6 Rajinikanth’s 50th film was Tiger . Which male co-star appeared with him in this film for the first and last time?

7 Rajinikanth has a substantial fan following in Japan. Which ’90s hit film started the craze for Rajini sir in that part of the world?

8 Rajinikanth has starred in a variety of Amitabh Bachchan remakes. The Telugu film Jeevana Poratam was a remake of which ’70s film featuring Bachchan in an important role?

9 Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth appeared in 18 films together, mostly in the ’70s, till they figured it did not make commercial sense to appear together. Which ’80s film was the last one they starred in together?

10 What did Rajinikanth do for the first, and so far only time in the 1992 film Mannan , co-starring Vijayashanti and Kushboo?

ANSWERS

1. Both worked as bus conductors, Rajinikanth with KSTC and Johnny Walker with BEST

2.Chilakamma Cheppindi and Nizhal Nijamagiradhu , both were extremely successful

3. The style of lighting a cigarette

4.Hum , directed by Mukul Anand

5. Ek Nai Paheli; interestingly Kamal Haasan played the lead with Hema Malini.

6. NT Rama Rao

7.Muthu ; subsequently, Chandramukhi and Robot have also done decent business there

8.Roti Kapda Aur Makaan . Amar Akbar Anthony was incidentally remade as Ram Robert Rahim

9. The Hindi film Geraftaar , released in 1985

10. He sang a song, Adikuthu kuliru

Joy Bhattacharjyais a quiz master, Director - Kolkata Knight Riders and author of Junior Premier League — The First XI

Follow Joy on Twitter >@joybhattacharj