Rajinikanth's Top 12 Punch Lines

Rajinikanth's fans are ecstatic this year because the superstar celebrates his birthday on a special date: 12.12.12.

He is known for his smashing verbal punches on-screen, his rocking style and charismatic presence, and his dialogues are so famous they have almost passed into folklore.

As we celebrate his birthday, we look back on some of Rajini's most famous one-liners.

'Pera kettaale chumma adhirudhulla!'
('Doesn't everything quake at the mere mention of my name?')

Film: Sivaji

This line was delivered with the superstar's inimitable style and passion in Shankar's blockbuster Sivaji, currently being re-released with much fanfare in 3D.

Rajini's character uses it zealously against his nemesis, a scheming kingmaker and business magnate, Adiseshan.

Film: Enthiran

Imitated quite frequently in popular culture, the evil Robot of Shankar's Endhiran utters these chilling words to much effect in a bid to unearth the human spy and, incidentally, his own creator, amidst a whole battalion of clones in a battle of wits.

('My way is my own')

Film: Padayappa

This is said proudly in that impressively deep voice to his unstoppable enemy Nilambari, when she dares to make him an arrogant proposal of marriage. 

The dialogue was a huge hit with the fans.

('If I say something even once, it's as though I've said it a hundred times')

Film: Baasha

It's a line that has carved a place for itself in Tamil cinema.

The underworld kingpin Baasha growls it out against his foe in Suresh Krssna's movie by the same name.

('How's this?')

Film: 16 Vayadhinile

Who would have thought that a ruffian in Bharathiraja's 16 Vayadhinile, sporting a scruffy look to suit his name, Parattai, could walk away with one of the most iconic punch-dialogues in the history of Tamil cinema?

And yet, that's what happened -- the line was delivered with such a smirk and spirit that it swiftly became one of Rajini's cherished taglines on-screen.

('What's over is over')

Film: Baba

As a good for nothing guy who changes his lifestyle after a spiritual intervention, Baba makes this statement not just to his erstwhile lover, but to those watching the movie as well.

('Mention the name Alex Pandian and the baby in the womb will put out another hand and cover his mother's mouth as well')

Film: Moondru Mugam

That's a response to the evil villain's vainglorious speech about how his name inspires even an unborn child to fear, but Moondru Mugam's Alex Pandian, a daring, dashing cop makes even these challenges seem like child's play.