Rajinikanth was born as Shivaji Rao Gaekwad in a Marathi family in Bangalore, India. He was the fourth child of his parents, Jijabai and Ramojirao Gaekwad.He attended elementary school at the Acharya Paathshala in Basavanagudi, Bangalore and then at the Vivekananda Balaka Sangha. Rajinikanth struggled a lot during his early age because of his family's low income. Although his mother-tongue is Marathi, but he has not yet acted in any Marathi films.
He worked with various jobs in Bangalore and also attended a theatre for stage plays.He then primarily worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service in Bangalore. His charisma and style were noted by the passengers who travelled with him and gave him suggestions in becoming an actor.
Rajinikanth received India's third highest honour "The Padma Bhushan", for his contribution to Indian cinema. Other than acting, He is a screenwriter, film producer, and also a playback singer. He is a well known philanthropist and also serves as an influence in the politics of Tamil Nadu.
Rajinikanth debuted as an actor(supporting role) in 1975 under the direction of K. Balachander. He was later favored in portraying antagonistic characters and gradually rose to acting in lead roles. He also appeared in the cinemas of other nations, including American cinema. He was reportedly highly paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan. And Sivaji the boss is one of the highest grossing movie in india.
Rajinikanth's first film was in Tamil cinema, debuting as a cancer patient in Apoorva Raagangal in 1975 directed by K. Balachander, who is constantly referred to by Rajinikanth as his own "guru" or mentor. Rajinikanth acted in his first Kannada film, Katha Sangama, directed by Puttanna Kanagal. Director S. P. Muthuraman who actually revamped Rajinikanth’s image entirely. Muthuraman first experimented with him in a positive role in Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri (1977). Around this time Mullum Malarum (1978), directed by J. Mahendran, established Rajinikanth in the Tamil film arena as a film hero. And the another film, hero sacrificing everything for his siblings in Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai (1979). These films were the turning points in his career. His film roles were mainly as a villain during the period 1975 to 1977, co-starring frequently with Kamal Haasan as the protagonist, in movies like 16 Vayadhinilae, Moondru Mudichu and Avargal. In 1978, Rajinikanth acted in the film Bairavi, in which he was referred as SUPERSTAR. He was given such an unique title by the producer Kalaipuli S.Thanu.
In the year 1980 to 1989, during this phase of his career, when he was reaching dazzling heights, Rajinikanth abruptly chose to quit acting, but was coaxed back. He continued acting with the blockbuster Tamil film Billa. With its phenomenal success he was accepted as a full-fledged hero. Billa was followed by a row of hits - Murattu Kaalai, Pokkiri Raja, Thanikattu Raja, Naan Mahaan Alla, Pudukavithai and Moondru Mugam. K. Balachander’s first home production, Netrikan proved to be yet another milestone in Rajni’s career. More box-office hits dominated the 80's with Anbulla Rajinikanth, Padikkathavan, Thee, Velaikaran, Dharmathin Thalaivan, Mr. Bharath, and Maaveeran. In his 100th movie Sri Raghavendra, he played the Hindu saint Shri Raghavendra Swami.
His movies released during the nineties were extremely successful, Thalapathy, Mannan, Annamalai, Uzhaippali, Veera, Baasha, Muthu, Arunachalam and Padayappa. Rajinikanth wrote his first screenplay and acted as a special appearance in the film Valli (1993). Films like Thalapathi, Mannan, Annamalai, Veera, Basha, Muthu etc created huge box office records which turned kollywood into a double multi core business industry. This made him as the highest paid actor in the entire film circuit where he was paid more than his contemparies namely Amitabh, Chiranjeevi and Kamal. His film Muthu was the first Tamil film to be dubbed into Japanese as "Muthu: The Dancing Maharajah" and became very popular in Japan. Being his 150th film Padayappa directed by K. S. Ravikumar, undoubtedly turned out to be the largest blockbuster in his career.
Finally, after more than a three year sabbatical from cinema, he starred in his home production Baba which released on August 15, 2002 amidst much fanfare and extreme hype. The film was a poor grosser box-office as it had failed miserably to meet the expectations. It was viewed as a tremendous loss when compared to his previous box office successes throughout his career. It fell short of market expectations and the high bids reportedly translated to heavy losses for the distributors. Rajinikanth himself repaid the losses incurred by the distributors.
After the Baba debacle, He chose to act in director P. Vasu's Tamil remake of Manichithrathazhu, "Chandramukhi" when it was released on April 14, 2005, it went on to create new box office records and smashed his own previous records and once and for all removed any doubt within the industry with regards to Rajinikanth's box office clout and incomparable appeal to the masses. Chandramukhi broke the record of being the longest running Tamil film, as of 2007.Just after Chandramukhi's release, it was reported that AVM Productions were to produce a film directed by S. Shankar starring Rajinikanth, the largest collaboration yet for a Tamil film. The film was titled "Sivaji:The Boss" released on June 15, 2007, it is the 100th Tamil film, it subsequently went on to become a major blockbuster, being ranked among other major Bollywood and Hollywood releases of the year. Sivaji became the first Tamil movie to be charted as one of the top-ten best films of United Kingdom and South Africa box-offices upon release.
Awards & Achievement of our SuperStar
SuperStar’s view about others (in brief)
Mahatma Gandhiji : Form of Truth; Great Yogi
Bharathiar : Real Rebel Poet
Kamarajar : Real "Padikatha Methai"
Periyar : Real Spiritualist
Annadurai : Great Leader
Kalaingar : The only leader for Tamil Community
M.G.R : Guardian to Tamil Cinema
Shjivaji Ganeshan : Dictionary of Tamil Cinema
Jayshankar : Sportiveness
Shivakumar : Punctuality
Kamalahaasan : Sincerity
Message to Fans : Live & Let Live
Contact Address :
18, Raghava Veera Avenue,
Poes Garden, Chennai-86
Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam,
Kodambakkam, Chennai-24.
"Awards Achieved by our SuperStar"
Tamilnadu Government Best Actor Award : 1978 Mullum Malarum
: 1982 Moondru Mugam
: 1999 Muthu
: 1999 Padayappa
: 2005 Chandramukhi
KALAIMAMANI AWARD : 1984
FilmFans Association Best Actor Award : 1979 Aarilirundu Arubadhu Varai
: 1982 Engeyo Ketta Kural
: 1984 Nallavanuku Nallavan
: 1985 Sri Raagavendirar
: 1991 Thalapathy
: 1995 Baadsha
: 1995 Muthu
Best Story Writter : 1993 Valli
Cinema Express Best Actor Award : 1984 Nallavanuku Nallavan
: 1985 Sri Raagavendirar
: 1991 Thalapathy
: 1992 Annamalai
: 1995 Baadsha
: 1995 Muthu
Best Achiever Award : 1988 Blood Stone
Best Story Writer : 1993 Valli
Filmfare Awards Best Actor : 1984 Nallavanuku Nallavan
Nadigar Sangam KALAICHELVAM AWARD : 1995
Screen Awards Best Actor : 1995 Peaddarayadu
Government of India PADMABHUSHAN AWARD : 2000
NDTV Indian Entertainer of the Year : 2007
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Name :Rajinikanth
Real Name :Shivaji Rao Gaikwad
Father's Name :Ramoji Rao
Mother's Name :Rambhai
Brother's Name :Sathya Narayana Rao & Nageshwara Rao
Date of Birth :12.12.1950
Place of Birth :Bangalore
Height :5 feet 9 inch
Name of Spouse :Latha Rajinikanth
Date of Marriage :26.02.1981
Place of Marriage :Thirupathi
Date of Reception :14.03.1981
Place of Reception :Taj Coromandal, Chennai
Names of Children :Aishwarya & Sowandarya
Guru :K.Balachandar
Spiritual Guru :Satchithananda Swamiji
Favourite God :Shri Raghavendra, Babaji
Favourite Books :Books written by Shri Ramana Maharishi
Favourite City :Chennai
Favourite Colour :Black
Happiest Moments :To be alone
Worst Moments :Left the job of Conductor
Worst Period :1978 - 1981
Favourite Dress :White Kurtha
Favourite Place :Himalaya
Favourite Place in House :Pooja Room
Favourite Proverb :Beware of Everything that is un true;
stick to the Truth shall succeed slowly but steadily
Favourite work :Self-driving
Unforgettable Man :K.Balachandar
Unforgettable Function :Bassha Silver Jubilee Function
Unforgettable Friend :Sri Priya
Favourite Hollywood Actor :Sylvester Stallone
Favourite Indian Actor :Kamalhaasan
Favourite Actress :Rekha (Hindi)
Favourite Role :Romantic Roles
Most Valuable Item :Appreciation Letter from K.Balachander for the film
"Mullum Malarum"
Favourite Language :English
Favourite Films :Hollywood Films
Favourite Novel :Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan & T. Janakiraman's
Amma Vanthal
Favourite Writer :Jayagandhan
Favourite Poet :Kannadasan
Favourite Musician :Illayaraja
Favourite Songs :Songs sung by Chandrababu
Favourite Politician :Singapore President Lee Quan-u
Unforgettable Leader :Mahatma Gandhiji
About Him :I live for myself ; I don't care anybody but I
respect everybody
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