Rajinikanth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rajinikanth
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Rajinikanth in 2019
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| Born |
Shivaji Rao Gaikwad
12 December 1950 Bangalore, Mysore State, India
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| Alma mater | Adyar Film Institute |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1975–present |
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Works
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Full list |
| Spouse(s) |
Latha Rajinikanth
(m. 1981) |
| Children | |
| Relatives | See Rajinikanth family |
| Awards | Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2019) NTR National Award (2016) Kalaimamani (1984) (See full list) |
| Honours | Padma Vibhushan (2016) Padma Bhushan (2000) |
Shivaji Rao Gaikwad (born 12 December 1950), known professionally as Rajinikanth, is a famous Indian actor. He mostly works in Tamil cinema, which is a big film industry in India. Over more than five decades, he has acted in 170 films. These movies are in many languages like Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Malayalam.
Rajinikanth is one of the most successful and loved actors in the history of Indian cinema. People know him for his special acting style and memorable lines in his films. He has a huge fan base who admire him greatly. The Government of India has given him some of the highest civilian awards. He received the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016. These are India's third and second highest civilian honours. He also received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2019. This is the highest award in Indian cinema, given for his amazing contributions. He has won many other film awards too. These include seven Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and a Filmfare Award.
Rajinikanth started his acting journey in 1975. His first film was the Tamil drama Apoorva Raagangal. At first, he often played characters who were against the main hero. Later, he began to play positive roles. His performance in Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri (1977) was highly praised. By the end of the 1970s, he had worked in all the major film industries in South India. He became a big star in Tamil cinema. He played double roles in the action film Billa (1980). This movie was a huge success and made him a popular action hero. He even played three roles in Moondru Mugam (1982). In 1983, he made his Hindi film debut in Andhaa Kaanoon. His film Nallavanukku Nallavan (1984) won him a Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.
In the 1990s, Rajinikanth starred in many successful films. Thalapathi (1991) was a crime film that earned him great reviews. He worked with director Suresh Krissna on films like Annaamalai (1992) and Baashha (1995). Baashha became one of the biggest hits of his career. Other successful films include Mannan (1992) and Muthu (1995). Muthu was very popular and was even dubbed into Japanese. It was the first Tamil film to be shown in Japan. This made him very famous there.
After a short break, he returned with the comedy horror film Chandramukhi (2005). This film also became a huge success. His next film, Sivaji (2007), was a major milestone. It was one of the first Indian films to earn a lot of money. He then played a scientist and a robot in the science fiction films Enthiran (2010) and 2.0 (2018). These films were very expensive to make and became some of the highest-grossing Indian films ever. In 2023, his film Jailer was a big hit. It earned over 600 crore Indian Rupees. This made him the only actor with two films that earned over 500 crore in the Tamil film industry.
Asiaweek magazine named Rajinikanth one of the most influential people in South Asia. Forbes India also named him the most influential Indian of 2010. In 2024, he received the UAE Golden Visa.
Contents
Early Life and Background
Rajinikanth was born as Shivaji Rao Gaikwad on 12 December 1950. He was born into a Marathi Hindu family in Bangalore, which was then part of Mysore State. His mother was a homemaker, and his father, Ramoji Rao Gaekwad, was a police officer. His family came from Mavadi Kadepathar in Maharashtra. He is the youngest of four children. He has two older brothers and a sister.
When he was nine years old, his mother passed away. He had his first schooling at the Gavipuram Government Kannada Model Primary School in Bangalore. As a child, he enjoyed studying and was also a bit mischievous. He loved playing cricket, football, and basketball. His brother enrolled him in the Ramakrishna Math, a Hindu monastery. There, he learned about ancient texts and history, which helped him become more spiritual. He also started acting in plays at the math. His love for theatre grew there. Once, he played a role in a play based on the Hindu epic Mahabharata. A famous poet, D. R. Bendre, praised his acting. After sixth grade, Rajinikanth went to the Acharya Pathasala Public School. He continued acting in plays throughout his school years.
After finishing school, Rajinikanth worked several jobs. He was a coolie (a laborer) and then a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service. He kept acting in plays, even getting a chance from a Kannada playwright. He decided to take an acting course at the Madras Film Institute. His family was not fully supportive, but his friend Raj Bahadur encouraged him. His friend also helped him financially during this time. At the institute, the famous Tamil film director K. Balachander noticed him. Balachander gave him the stage name Rajinikanth. This was to avoid confusion with another actor, Sivaji Ganesan. The director also told him to learn Tamil, which Rajinikanth quickly did. He can read Tamil, but he cannot write it.
Acting Career Highlights
1974–1977: Starting His Journey
Rajinikanth started his film career with the Tamil film Apoorva Raagangal (1975). He had a small role in this movie. The film was praised by critics and won three National Film Awards. His next film was Katha Sangama (1976). He also appeared in Anthuleni Katha (1976). In Moondru Mudichu, he played a notable role. His unique way of flipping a cigarette in this film became very popular. He often played characters who caused trouble for the main heroes.
In 1977, he played a lead role for the first time in the Telugu film Chilakamma Cheppindi. Later that year, director S. P. Muthuraman gave him a positive role in Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri. This film was a success and led to many more collaborations between them.
1978–1989: Becoming a Star
In 1978, Rajinikanth had many films released in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. Bairavi was the first Tamil film where he played the main hero. For this film, he earned the nickname "Superstar." A distributor even put up a huge cutout of him. His film Mullum Malarum (1978) was highly praised. It won a Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Film. Rajinikanth also received a special award for his acting. He then acted in his first Malayalam cinema film, Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum.
By 1979, he had acted in 50 films in four languages. Some other popular films from this time include Ninaithale Inikkum and Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai. He was inspired by Hindi film star Amitabh Bachchan. Rajinikanth began to play roles similar to Bachchan's in Tamil remakes of his films.
In 1980, he starred in Billa, a remake of the Hindi film Don. This film was a huge commercial success. It helped him become a top star in Tamil cinema. He also played double roles in Johnny. In 1981, he acted in his first full-length comedy, Thillu Mullu. His mentor, K. Balachander, encouraged him to try different kinds of roles. In 1982, he played three roles for the first time in Moondru Mugam.
By 1983, he was a popular actor across South India. He made his Bollywood debut in Andha Kanoon (1983) alongside Amitabh Bachchan. This film was very successful. In 1984, his film Nallavanuku Nallavan earned him a Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. For his 100th film, Sri Raghavendra (1985), he played the Hindu saint Raghavendra Swami. He also had success in Hindi films like Bewafai (1985).
In the late 1980s, Rajinikanth starred in many successful films. These include Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985) and Mr. Bharath (1986). In 1988, he appeared in his only American film, Bloodstone. He played an English-speaking Indian taxi driver. He ended the decade with films like Raja Chinna Roja (1989). This was the first Indian film to combine live action and animation.
1990–2010: Becoming a Superstar
Rajinikanth started the 1990s with the hit film Panakkaran (1990). In 1991, he worked with director Mani Ratnam in Thalapathi. This film was inspired by the Mahabharata and was highly praised. He also appeared in remakes of films from other languages. Annamalai (1992) was another film about friendship. This film was the first to feature the "Superstar" graphic title card. Mannan (1992) was also a box office success. Rajinikanth wrote his first screenplay for the film Valli (1993). He also made a special appearance in it.
He teamed up with director Suresh Krishna for Baashha (1995). This film was a massive success and made him even more popular. His film Muthu (1995) was another big hit. It was the first Tamil film to be dubbed into Japanese. This created a large Japanese fan base for him. Newsweek magazine even said that Rajinikanth had become Japan's trendiest heartthrob. In 1999, his film Padayappa became a blockbuster success.
After a short break, Rajinikanth starred in Baba in 2002. He also wrote the story for this film. The film was about a man who fights political corruption. Two years later, he starred in Chandramukhi (2005). This film was very successful and became the longest-running Tamil film at the time. His next film, Sivaji (2007), was a huge production. It was the first Tamil film to be one of the "top-ten best films" in the UK and South Africa box offices.
Rajinikanth worked with director Shankar again for the science fiction film Enthiran (2010). This film was released worldwide and was one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. It became a huge hit. The film's success was even studied by a top management institute in India.
2011-Present: Recent Films
In 2011, Rajinikanth faced some health issues. He received treatment and recovered well. In 2014, he starred in Kochadaiiyaan, a motion capture film. This was a new type of film for India. With this film and the 3D release of Sivaji in 2012, Rajinikanth became the first Indian actor to appear in four different types of cinema: black-and-white, colour, 3D, and motion capture. His film Lingaa was released on his birthday in 2014.
After a two-year break, Rajinikanth's next film was Kabali (2016). This crime drama was a huge success. In 2018, he starred in Kaala, where he played a strong leader fighting for his community. He also appeared in Shankar's 2.0 (2018), playing his roles from Enthiran again. This film was very successful worldwide. In 2019, Rajinikanth starred in Petta. His performance in this film was highly praised. His film Darbar (2020) saw him play a police officer after many years. His 168th film was Annaatthe (2021), which was also a commercial success.
His 169th film, Jailer, was released in 2023. He played a retired jailer in the film. It received very positive reviews and was a huge commercial success. In 2024, he appeared in the action drama film Vettaiyan and had a guest appearance in his daughter's film Lal Salaam.
Upcoming Projects
Rajinikanth's 171st film, titled Coolie, is currently being filmed. It is expected to be released in mid-2025.
Political Career
For many years, people wondered if Rajinikanth would enter politics. In 1996, he supported an alliance of political parties. He asked people to vote for them, and that alliance won the elections. He also supported the same alliance in the 1996 and 1998 national elections.
In 2004, Rajinikanth said he would vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, he did not openly support any party during that election. In March 2017, he canceled a visit to Sri Lanka due to requests from politicians in Tamil Nadu.
On 31 December 2017, Rajinikanth announced his intention to enter politics. He said he would contest the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. He stated that his party would step down if it could not keep its promises within three years. However, on 12 July 2021, Rajinikanth announced that he had no plans to enter politics in the future. He also dissolved his political organization.
Personal Life
Family and Beliefs
Rajinikanth married Latha Rangachari on 26 February 1981, in Tirupati. They have two daughters, Aishwarya and Soundarya. He has four grandchildren.
Rajinikanth is a follower of Hinduism and believes strongly in spirituality. He practices yoga and meditation. He often visits major Hindu temples before his films are released. He also sometimes goes on pilgrimages to the Himalayas. He has mentioned spiritual leaders like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Mahavatar Babaji as his favorites.
Helping Others
Many of Rajinikanth's charitable actions are not widely known because he prefers to keep them private. In the 1980s, he campaigned to encourage corneal transplantation (eye donation). This helped to change old beliefs in Tamil Nadu. In 2011, he supported an anti-corruption movement. He offered his wedding hall for free for their meetings. He also provided lodging for sanitary workers after the 2015 South India floods. Rajinikanth's fan clubs often organize blood donation and eye donation camps. They also distribute food on his birthday.
Filmography
Rajinikanth has appeared in over 170 films. Most of these are in Tamil cinema. He started by playing roles that were against the main hero. Later, he became a lead actor. He has also worked in films in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Bengali. He also appeared in one English film.
Awards and Honours
Rajinikanth has received many awards for his films, especially in Tamil. He won his first and only Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor in 1984 for Nallavanuku Nallavan. He has also received six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. He has won many awards from Cinema Express and Filmfans' Association. These awards recognize his acting and his contributions to film writing and production.
The Government of Tamil Nadu honored him with the Kalaimamani award in 1984. He also received the M. G. R. Award in 1989. In 1995, he received the Kalaichelvam Award. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan (2000) and the Padma Vibhushan (2016). In 2007, NDTV named him the Indian Entertainer of the Year. The Government of Maharashtra gave him the Raj Kapoor Award in the same year. He received the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema.
Forbes India named him the most influential Indian of 2010. In 2011, he received the Entertainer of the Decade Award from NDTV. In 2013, NDTV honored him as one of the "25 Greatest Global Living Legends." In 2014, he received the IFFI Indian Film Personality of the Year Award. Rajinikanth received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2021. This was at the 67th National Film Awards ceremony in New Delhi.
See also
In Spanish: Rajinikanth para niños
- Rajinikanth facts
