How did Rajinikanth manage to top the industry where an elite actor?
As a rule Mass heros always score over Class heros. Because the larger viewing audience are the masses. This is similar to MGR vs Shivaji Ganesan argument. Each have their place. Also there are many factors that go into making a successful movie. The time, hardwork, good business sense to understand what works, to be in the good books of big film makers, humility, believing in the director, that he can can bring out the best, etc., It is a combination of many factors, not just acting or looks. Like I have written several times before, it is the ability to connect with your audience. The audience loves Rajnikanth, they can't meet him directly, so they spend a little over 2 hours in a darkened theatre with him. Rajnikanth understands the needs of his audience. Many have spent large sums to buy tickets (a big friends set, or an entire large family comes to see him). They have taken the trouble of coming from far off places. Many are setting aside valuable time to be with him. Sometimes it is very early in the morning. They have to get back to work. He entertains them, and the audience are blissfully happy. His movies may be over the top, but who cares, it is great fun. By now no one expects anything new from him at his current age. He has done it all before. Only the packaging is new. Whereas you never know what to expect in a Kamal Haasan film. It may be great or mediocre by his huge standards. All in all, Rajnikanth ensures a carefully crafted film, is produced, one that will jell. As he has said repeatedly, his responsibility is towards his producers, to see that they don't lose money, by investing on him. If the film falls short, they are ready to even repay back the extent of loss. I would say one of his greatest positive trait is the right attitude to his work, and the people who are backing him.