Rajinikanth

Actor ● Supporting Actor ● Special Appearance


Shivaji Rao Gaekwad known professionally as Rajinikanth, is an Indian actor who works primarily in Tamil Cinema. He made his debut as an actor, in the National Award winning Tamil film Apoorva Raagangal (1975), directed by K Balachander, whom the actor considers his mentor. Initially, he portrayed characters with a negative streak, before his talent to play the hero was recognized and he captured his place as the leading man. His immense stage presence, comedic timing, stylish good looks, unique dialogue delivery and acting ability have endeared him so much in the hearts of people that he is worshiped with God-like devotion. For more than four decades, Rajinikanth has acted in numerous box-office hits in all major Indian languages; Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri (1977), Mullum Malarum (1978), Billa (1980), Enkeyo Ketta Kural (1982), Nallavanuku Nallavan (1984), Bloodstone (1988), Thalapathi (1991), Annamalai (1992), Baashha (1994), Muthu (1995), Padayappa(1999), Chandramukhi (2005), Sivaji (2007), many of which has won him several awards and accolades. In addition to acting, he has also worked as a producer and screenwriter. He has won many awards, including four Tamil Nadu State Film Best Actor Awards and a Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. The Government of India has honored him with the Padma Bhushan (2000) and the Padma Vibhushan (2016). He received the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema at the 4th Vijay Awards. At the 45th International Film Festival of India (2014), he was conferred with the Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year. At the 50th edition of the International Film Festival of India (2019), he was honoured with the Icon of Global Jubilee award. With a fan following running into millions, he is well-known in most countries apart from India, predominantly in Japan and the United States of America. Rajinikanth is the only Indian actor to be featured in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus, in a lesson titled From "Bus Conductor to Superstar". Despite all the fame and fortune, he is known for his simplicity, humility and compassion.

Born on: 12 December, 1950

Born in: Bangalore, Karnataka

Height: 5' 8''

Nickname(s): Shivaji Rao Gaikwad, Thalaivaa

Kannada TBA
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Kannada TBA
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Hindi 2024
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Telugu 2024
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Malayalam 2023
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Telugu 2023
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Kannada 2023
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Hindi 2023
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Tamil 2023
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Kannada 2021
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Telugu 2021
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Malayalam 2020
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Telugu 2020
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Chinese 2019
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Tamil 2018
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Tamil 2016
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Hindi 2016
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Tamil 2014
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Hindi 2011
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Tamil 2010
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Telugu 2008
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Tamil 2007
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Tamil 2005
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Hindi 1998
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Hindi 1997
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Tamil 1982
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Telugu 1979
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Malayalam 2020
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Telugu 2020
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Hindi 2020
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Tamil 2014
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Tamil 1992
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Tamil TBA
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Tamil 2002
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Tamil 1993
Story Writer, Screenplay Writer, Dialogue Writer
Tamil 2002
Producer
Tamil 1993
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Hindi 2013
Thanks
Relationships:
Son-in-law: Dhanush
Daughter: Soundarya Rajinikanth
Daughter: Aishwarya R Dhanush
Trivia:
The routes Rajini worked on as a bus conductor were 10 and 10 A from Srinagara to Majestic in Bangalore.

One of the oldest friends Rajinikanth has is Raj Badhar, a retired bus driver who used to work with the Superstar during his days as a bus conductor.

K Balachander, who gave Rajini his first acting break, christened him Rajinikanth because there could be only one 'Sivaji' (Rajini's original name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad) in the south Indian film industry, and that was the senior actor Sivaji Ganesan. The name literally means 'color of night', it was a comment on the colour of Shivaji Rao's skin.

Rajinikanth, who hadn't celebrated his birthday in Chennai in almost 20 years, made an exception in 2012. He agreed to participate in an event organised by his fans, and opened up about his reasons for spending his birthday out of the city. Turns out, 22 years ago, three of his fans died in an accident on their way back from his birthday celebrations in Chennai.

Famous for flipping a cigarette and catching it in his lips in many of his blockbuster films, Rajinikanth quit smoking and urged his fans to do so too after he suffered from smoking-related health issues.

Rajinikanth's devoted and highly enterprising wife Latha Rangachari is said to be behind the carefully built brand Rajini.

Rajinikanth never attends any public screenings of his films.