ரசினிகாந்த் Shivaji Rao Gaekwad
9 min read
Reading time
1,640
Words
Published
127
Film credits
5
Awards
Rajinikanth, born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad in 1950 in Bangalore, worked as a bus conductor before joining the Madras Film Institute. He debuted in Katha Sangama 1976 and gained attention with Apoorva Raagangal 1975. His trademark cigarette flip became iconic. He starred in blockbusters like Enthiran 2010 and Kabali 2016. He received the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and Padma Vibhushan in 2016.
Names, aliases, and relatives of Rajinikanth — birth name, kin, and personal ties.
Rajinikanth by the numbers — life, work, and family.
Rajinikanth — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
Shivaji Rao Gaekwad was born on December 12, 1950, in Bangalore, Mysore State, India, to Jijabai Shahaji Bhosale and Ramoji Rao Gaekwad. His mother tongue is Marathi. He grew up with three siblings: Sathyanarayana Rao Gaikwad, Nageshwar Rao Gaikwad, and Aswath Balubhai. He attended Acharya Pathasala Public School before working as a bus conductor. That job led him to enroll at the Adyar Film Institute.
Rajinikanth made his film debut in the Kannada film Katha Sangama 1976 but gained attention with Apoorva Raagangal 1975 — released before his debut. His early antagonist roles gave way to action-star status with films like Mullum Malarum 1978, Aarilirunthu Arubathuvarai 1979, and Johnny 1980. In the 1990s, his 100th film Sri Raghavendra 1985 was a Tamil hit. He headlined blockbusters such as Sivaji: The Boss 2007, Enthiran 2010 where he played Dr. Vaseegaran and Chitti, and Kabali 2016. His unique style features trademark gestures, such as flipping a cigarette in the air. He also worked in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and even made a Hollywood cameo in Ra.One 2011.
Rajinikanth married Latha Rangachari, and they have two daughters: Aishwarya R. Dhanush and Soundarya Rajinikanth. Both daughters are involved in the film industry; Aishwarya is married to actor Dhanush.
Fans consider Rajinikanth a superstar, and his fan following treats him like a god. His influence extends beyond India; he is popular in Japan. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016. At the 45th International Film Festival of India 2014, he received the Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year. His film Enthiran 2010 was a landmark in Indian visual effects, and his song Unnakum Ennakum from Sri Raghavendra 1985 was sampled by the Black Eyed Peas. He is remembered for his unique style and versatility across action, drama, and comedy.
The complete filmography of Rajinikanth — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.
Every award, honor, and recognition received by Rajinikanth — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
A wall of memorable lines from Rajinikanth — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.
Meditation Is the Key to His Energy.
The Happiest Men in This World Are Child, Lunatic and a Sage.
Little-known facts about Rajinikanth — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
After 1995, his movies were released across India, including outside southern states, and were dubbed into regional Indian languages and Hindi due to his pan-India popularity. He also enjoys a fan base in Japan.
He is called the Tamil Superstar and is revered like a deity by his fans.
His mother tongue is Marathi.
Though a megastar in Tamil cinema, he is not ethnically Tamil.
His 100th film was Sri Raghavendra 1985, a Tamil-language movie.
The Black Eyed Peas sampled his song Unnakum Ennakum from Sri Raghavendra 1985 in their track Elephunk.
He was cast in the shelved Hindi film Tu Hi Meri Zindagi 1990, produced by B.M.B. Productions, starring Shammi Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, and Sridevi, with music by Bappi Lahiri.
In the 1979 film Dharma Yuddam, a disco English song was filmed featuring him.
In 1982, director Rajkumar Kohli signed him and Jeetendra for a remake of a Kannada hit, but the project was abandoned.
He was approached to replace Shiva Ganesan in Desh Premee but declined due to scheduling conflicts with South Indian producers and because he was by then playing lead roles.
He is the father of Aishwarya Rajinikanth.
He is also the father of Soundarya Rajinikanth Vishagan.
He was originally signed to play Naseeruddin Shah’s role in the film Tahalka 1992.
Director Nagi Reddy planned to launch him in a Hindi film in 1981, but the project never materialized.
Subhash Ghai wanted him for Karma, but Anil Kapoor persuaded Ghai to cast Naseeruddin Shah instead.
In 1982, actor Ranjan signed him alongside Amitabh Bachchan for a film directed by Shyam Benegal, but the project was shelved after Amitabh’s accident.
South Indian producer Veeraswamy planned a Hindi remake of the Kannada hit Chakravuha with him, but after a trial showing for Prakash Mehra, Mehra suggested signing Amitabh Bachchan to boost commercial appeal.
He was part of the shelved film Takrao 1986, starring Shatrughan Sinha, Anita Raaj, Amrish Puri, and others, produced by Raja Roy and directed by Harmesh Malhotra.
He began his career playing antagonists and villains. Later negative roles include Chitti 2.0 in Enthiran and 2.0, King Vettaiyan in Chandramukhi, and Kaali in Petta.
He was cast in the shelved film Shanaakht 1988 alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, and others, directed by Tinnu Anand; it was shelved due to similarities with Ganga Jamuna Saraswati.
He was set to star in Ghar Ka Bhedi 1990 with Amitabh Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit, produced by Satyen Pal Choudhary and directed by Prakash Mehra, but the film was shelved after its announcement.
He starred in the shelved film Raasta Patharon Ka 1984, produced and directed by B. Subbash.
He was part of an untitled 1986 film from Meenakshi Enterprises with Rajesh Khanna guest appearance and Hema Malini, music by Bappi Lahiri, directed by Bapu. The project was shelved.
He was cast in the shelved film Lal Toofan 1988 starring Nutan, Jackie Shroff, and others, written by Sachin Bhaumick, music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, directed by Subhash Bhakri.
He made a special appearance in the shelved film Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala 1991 with Akshay Anand, Chandni, and others, music by Anand-Milind, directed by Ajit Kumar.
He starred in the shelved film Watan Ke Saudagar 1991 with Vijayashanti, Shobhana, Radhika, and others, music by Amar-Amit, directed by K. Ravi Dutt.
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Rajinikanth.
Celebrities similar to Rajinikanth — same craft, ranked by reach.
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇸 United States
🇫🇷 France
🇺🇸 United States
🇨🇦 Canada
🇺🇸 United States
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
