Actor
Rajinikanth
Based In
Mumbai, India.
Origin
Bangalore, Karnataka
Years Active
48
Rajinikanth – The Superstar of Indian Cinema
Full Name: Shivaji Rao Gaekwad
Date of Birth: December 12, 1950
Profession: Actor, Producer, Screenwriter
Industry: Tamil Cinema (also Hindi and other languages)
Rajinikanth, famously known as the “Superstar” of Tamil cinema, has appeared in over 170 films. Renowned for his unique style and charisma, he has received numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Early Life and Career
- Birth and Background: Born in Bangalore, Karnataka, into a Maharashtrian family.
- Bus Conductor: Worked for the Bangalore Transport Service (BTS) before pursuing acting.
- Film Institute: Joined the Madras Film Institute, where director K. Balachander discovered him.
- Debut: Made his acting debut in the Tamil film Apoorva Raagangal (1975).
Filmography and Style
- Debut Role: A small but impactful role in Apoorva Raagangal.
- Rise to Stardom: Developed a signature style with trademark gestures and a unique delivery.
- Notable Films: Baasha (1995), Muthu (1995), Sivaji (2007), Enthiran (2010), Jailer (2023).
Awards and Recognition
- Padma Bhushan: Awarded in 2000 for contributions to Indian cinema.
- Padma Vibhushan: Honored in 2016, India’s second-highest civilian award.
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Received in 2019, the highest recognition in Indian cinema.
- Filmfare Awards South: Multiple wins for his outstanding performances.
Personal Life
- Marriage: Married Latha Rangachari in 1981.
- Children: Two daughters – Aishwarya and Soundarya.
Career Highlight
- Debut in Tamil cinema: Rajinikanth began his film career in 1975.
- Unique on-screen style: Developed a signature style that set him apart in Indian cinema.
- Transition to superstar: Started as an antagonist and became a leading superstar.
- Iconic films: Notable works include Mullum Malarum and Billa.
- Prestigious awards: Recipient of the Padma Vibhushan (2016) and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2020).
- Numerous accolades: Won multiple state and film awards throughout his career.
- Enduring legacy: Recognized as a cinematic icon in India and internationally.
Rajinikanth’s recent activity
Upcoming film promotion: Rajinikanth is promoting his new movie Vettaiyan (formerly Kouli), with the trailer recently launched.
Health update: In October 2024, he was briefly hospitalized for a non-surgical procedure to place a stent for swelling in his aorta.
Recovery: He has been discharged and is recovering well at home.
Rajinikanth Awards List
| Year | Award Category | Award Name | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Best Actor – Telugu | Filmfare Awards South | Chilakamma Cheppindi | Nominated |
| 1978 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Mullum Malarum | Nominated |
| 1978 | Special Award | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Mullum Malarum | Won |
| 1979 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai | Nominated |
| 1979 | Best Actor | Filmfans Association Awards | Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai | Won |
| 1980 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Johnny | Nominated |
| 1981 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Thillu Mullu | Nominated |
| 1982 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Moondru Mugam | Nominated |
| 1982 | Best Actor | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Moondru Mugam | Won |
| 1982 | Best Actor | Filmfans Association Awards | Enkeyo Ketta Kural | Won |
| 1984 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Nallavanukku Nallavan | Won |
| 1984 | Best Actor | Cinema Express Awards | Nallavanuku Nallavan | Won |
| 1984 | Best Actor | Filmfans Association Awards | Nallavanuku Nallavan | Won |
| 1985 | Best Actor | Cinema Express Awards | Sri Raghavendra | Won |
| 1985 | Best Actor | Filmfans Association Awards | Sri Raghavendra | Won |
| 1987 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Velaikaran | Nominated |
| 1988 | Best Achiever | Cinema Express Awards | Bloodstone | Won |
| 1989 | Honorary Award – M.G.R. Award | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | — | Won |
| 1990 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Panakkaran | Nominated |
| 1991 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Thalapathi | Nominated |
| 1991 | Best Actor | Cinema Express Awards | Thalapathy | Won |
| 1991 | Best Actor | Filmfans Association Awards | Thalapathy | Won |
| 1992 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Annaamalai | Nominated |
| 1992 | Best Actor | Cinema Express Awards | Annamalai | Won |
| 1992 | Best Actor | Filmfans Association Awards | Annamalai | Won |
| 1993 | Best Story Writer | Cinema Express Awards | Valli | Won |
| 1993 | Best Story Writer | Filmfans Association Awards | Valli | Won |
| 1993 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Uzhaippali | Nominated |
| 1995 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Baashha | Nominated |
| 1995 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Muthu | Nominated |
| 1995 | Best Actor | Cinema Express Awards | Baashha, Muthu | Won |
| 1995 | Best Actor | Filmfans Association Awards | Baashha, Muthu | Won |
| 1995 | Best Actor | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Muthu | Won |
| 1995 | Best Actor | South Screen Awards | Peddarayudu | Won |
| 1997 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Arunachalam | Nominated |
| 1999 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Padayappa | Nominated |
| 1999 | Best Actor | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Padayappa | Won |
| 2000 | Civilian Honour | Padma Bhushan – Government of India | — | Won |
| 2005 | Best Actor | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Chandramukhi | Won |
| 2006 | State Honour | Raj Kapoor Award – Maharashtra State Film Award | — | Won |
| 2007 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Sivaji | Nominated |
| 2007 | Best Actor | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Sivaji | Won |
| 2007 | Indian Entertainer of the Year | NDTV Awards | — | Won |
| 2008 | Favourite Hero | Vijay Awards | Sivaji | Won |
| 2010 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Enthiran | Nominated |
| 2011 | Lifetime Achievement Award | Vijay Awards – Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award | — | Won |
| 2011 | Entertainer of the Decade | NDTV Awards | — | Won |
| 2012 | Favourite Hero | Vijay Awards | Enthiran | Won |
| 2012 | State Honour | Rajiv Gandhi Award – Maharashtra State Film Award | — | Won |
| 2013 | The 25 Greatest Global Living Legends | NDTV Awards | — | Won |
| 2014 | Indian Film Personality of the Year | International Film Festival of India | — | Won |
| 2015 | Favourite Hero | Vijay Awards | Lingaa | Won |
| 2016 | Civilian Honour | Padma Vibhushan – Government of India | — | Won |
| 2016 | Best Actor – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | Kabali | Nominated |
| 2016 | NTR National Award | Nandi Awards | — | Won |
| 2019 | ICON Award | IFFI Golden Jubilee ICON Award | — | Won |
| 2021 | Lifetime Achievement | Dadasaheb Phalke Award – Directorate of Film Festivals | — | Won |
About Rajinikanth
Rajinikanth is an Indian actor, producer, and cultural icon, primarily known for his work in Tamil cinema. He is celebrated for his unique style, charismatic screen presence, and versatile acting.
Rajinikanth was born on 12 December 1950 in Bangalore, Mysore State (now Karnataka), India.
His birth name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad.
He made his film debut with a small role in Apoorva Raagangal (1975), directed by K. Balachander, whom Rajinikanth regards as his mentor.
Some of his most iconic films include Bairavi (1978), Mullum Malarum (1978), Moondru Mugam (1982), Thalapathi (1991), Annamalai (1992), Baashha (1995), Muthu (1995), Padayappa (1999), Chandramukhi (2005), Sivaji (2007), Enthiran (2010), Kabali (2016), and Jailer (2023).
Yes, Rajinikanth has received several prestigious honours, including: Padma Bhushan (2000) – Government of India Padma Vibhushan (2016) – Government of India Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2021) – Indian cinema’s highest honour.
Rajinikanth was honoured as the Indian Film Personality of the Year (2014) and received the IFFI Golden Jubilee ICON Award (2019) at the International Film Festival of India.
Yes, besides Tamil films, he has acted in Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam, and Bengali films, gaining pan-Indian popularity.
Apart from acting, Rajinikanth has contributed to philanthropy and social causes, often helping the needy through donations, though mostly in a private manner.
Yes, Rajinikanth announced his intention to enter politics in December 2017. Although he later withdrew from active politics in 2020 citing health concerns, he continues to influence Tamil Nadu’s socio-political landscape.