#HBDThalaivarSuperstarRAJINI - this has been the hashtag trending worldwide as the people from four directions have been sending the birthday wishes to Indian Superstar Rajinikanth through twitter. The Superstar, who decorates the throne of superstardom for the past four decades, celebrates his 70th birthday on Thursday - Dec 12th, 2019. While remembering his success and achievements in cinema, let's rewind his wavelength during the first interview he gave to 'Bommai' magazine in 1977 after wrapping up his debut movie Apoorva Raagangal. Here's his interview to the Bommai magazine,

How did you get an interest in acting?

Through watching movies.

Have you ever attempted to act in the movies? Can you brief those attempts?

I've taken efforts in acting after joining the film institute and I've got a diploma from the acting school managed by the South Indian Film chamber and the diploma was awarded by Dr. P N Reddy.

Was there any bitter experience that you have faced in your efforts?

Some of the students had discouraged me and that was the bitter experience.

Who supported and motivated you in your efforts?

Mr. K Balachander was the only one who stood by me and motivated me.

Before coming to acting, have you ever imagined or conceptualized the way you thought you should be acting in the roles?

I don't want to follow anyone since I wish to act in a new way. I have been acting in that way and will act in the future.

How did you get introduced to K Balachander?

I was in the Kannada section in the film institute and Mr. Balachander came to the Tamil section. He merged the lessons and taught the acting. I'm a big fan of Balachander and I have never missed his movies and he is my guru. I firstly asked Balachander about his expectations from the actors apart from acting. He told that the actors shouldn't act outside of the movies. This is our introduction and that's how it happened. Balachander asked me whether I can speak Tamil? I told him I'm at the beginning level. He told me to come to the Kalakendra office to meet him.

Can you explain how Balachander examined and selected you?

I went to Kalakendra to meet Balachander. He asked me to act the scene of my own. I've acted a scene from Kannada drama and during that time, I'm not a  Tamil fluent person. Balachander told that I should learn Tamil that will take me to the next level. During that meet, Balachander inducted me in his three movies - Apoorva Raagangal, Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, Moondru Mudichu on the same day.

Were you given the role of Villain initially?

Yes. I was given the Villain role and I got the opportunity after meeting Balachander in the institute and he renamed me as 'Rajinikanth' by replacing my birth name 'R. Shivaji Rao'.

What have you heard about Balachander before acting in his direction?

I heard him as a very angry person and always a moody type.

What do you think about Balachander?

I'll think of him daily after which I'll go to the movie set by putting on the make-up.

Describe your experience of the first-day shooting and your mindset. Have your family and friends spoken about your first movie with you?

I've no fear of the camera. I feared for Balachander and attainting a good name by acting before the great director. Neither friends nor family asked me about the role but rather they asked me whether Balachander felt satisfied through my acting.

Has Balachander ever got tensed on your acting?

There was no day that I had spent without having been scolded by Balachander. He got tensed on me with love that I must act with perfection and must attain the glory. One day, 'Moondru Mudichu' had occupied my dreams where Balachander scolded me even in my dreams.

Who else had got used to you and who attracted you in the movie sets?

Sri Vidya, Kamal, Sivakumar, Vijayakumar, Sri Priya were the artists who attracted me in the sets.

What were you doing when the movie 'Apoorva Raagangal' released?

I went to Krishnaveni theater to watch Apoorva Raagangal in the morning and since the tickets were sold out, I bought the ticket through black ticket sellers and watched the movie.

Did your fans in the theater identify you?

Not at first sight since I was growing a beard at that time. A nine-year-old girl identified me and asked I was the one acting in the movie. She introduced her entire family to me and she was my first fan.

What have you thought about the criticism of your acting in the movie?

I've read the critics of the movie. A weekly magazine had underlined my name and suggested to do well and that message was attracted me. I was interested to read the critics that had pointed out my mistakes than the ones which praised me.

Whose acting did you admire before coming to the cinema industry?

Actor Nagesh was the only one who attracted me.

Have you ever thought of moving forward by following a respective person?

I've never thought of following the styles of anyone and I always wished to picture my own style.

What would you say about the villains of Tamil movies like Nambiyar, Asokan, Srikanth, and Vasu? Had any one of these people ever appreciated you?

Srikanth has appreciated me. We both acted in the movie Iraivan Kodutha Varam during which he wholeheartedly appreciated me.

Being a Villain, would you able to take and act in cameo roles?

Definitely, I'll accept the cameo roles. The fans have to judge whether I can act in cameo roles.

Villain- how would you like to describe this word?

' Having limitless selfishness'- this would be the exact word to describe a villain.

Were there any senior artists who have ever advised you in acting?

Mr. S V Subbaiah, Mr. V K Ramasamy, Mr. Nagesh have given me plenty of advice regarding my acting.