Rajinikanth, born as Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, is a renowned Indian film actor who has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. The Bollywood actor with a career spanning over five decades, he has appeared in over 169 films, making him one of the most successful and popular actors in the history of Indian cinema.
This blog post delves into the life and career of this extraordinary actor, shedding light on his early life, personal relationships, rise to stardom, career highlights, and some interesting facts about him.
Early Life and Upbringing
Born on December 12, 1950, in Bangalore, Mysore State (now Karnataka), India, Rajinikanth had a humble beginning. He lost his mother at the age of five, making his life difficult from the start.
Before captivating audiences on screen, Rajinikanth worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service. This humble beginning instilled in him a sense of empathy.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shivaji Rao Gaekwad |
| Nickname | Rajinikanth |
| Alternative Names(s) (also known as) | Thalaiva, Superstar |
| Date of Birth | 12 December 1950 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 73 Years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Hometown | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Current Address | A bungalow in Poes Garden, Chennai |
| Education Qualification | Diploma in Acting |
| Hobbies and Interests | Traveling, Reading, Gardening |
| Languages Known | Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, English |
| Social Media Profiles link (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Rajinikanth |
| IMDb Profile link | Rajinikanth |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Stats | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim |
| Body Measurements (Chest – Waist – Hips) | 40-33-12 inches |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 5’8″, 173 cm |
| Weight in kg, lbs | 75 kg, 165 lbs |
| Chest | 40 inches |
| Waist | 33 inches |
| Biceps | 12 inches |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | White (Semi-bald) |
| Hairstyle | Short and Wavy |
| Distinctive Features | Beard, Mole on the nose, Style and mannerisms |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Girlfriend/Wife, Affairs
Rajinikanth is married to Latha Rajinikanth. They have two daughters, Aishwarya and Soundarya. Despite his superstar status, Rajinikanth remains grounded and is known for his humility.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Wife | Latha Rajinikanth |
| Father | Ramoji Rao Gaekwad (Worked as a police constable) |
| Mother | Jijabai (Homemaker) |
| Children | Aishwarya Rajinikanth, Soundarya Rajinikanth |
| Siblings | Satyanarayana Rao (Elder brother), Nageshwara Rao (Elder brother), Aswath Balubhai (Elder sister) |
| Affairs – Girlfriend(s) | N/A |
| Significant Relationships | K. Balachander (Mentor), Kamal Haasan (Friend and Co-star), Amitabh Bachchan (Friend and Co-star) |
Rise to Stardom
Rajinikanth made his cinematic debut with K. Balachander’s 1975 Tamil drama Apoorva Raagangal. His breakthrough in Tamil cinema came with Moondru Mudichu (1976), also directed by Balachander.
His style and mannerisms in the film earned recognition from the audience. By the end of the decade, he had worked in all South Indian languages and established a career in Tamil cinema.
Rajinikanth – Debut Film – Apoorva Raagangal (1975)
Rajinikanth – Successful Film – Annaatthe ( 2021)
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Rajinikanth has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to Indian cinema. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan in 2000, the Padma Vibhushan in 2016, and the highest award in the field of cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, in 2019.
His film “Muthu” was dubbed in Japanese, making him a popular figure in Japan. He is also the first South Asian actor to be featured in the prestigious Madame Tussauds wax museum in London.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actor, Producer, Screenplay Writer, Philanthropist |
| Debut Film | Apoorva Raagangal (1975) |
| Notable Roles | Billa, Baashha, Muthu, Padayappa, Sivaji, Enthiran, Kabali, 2.0 |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Darbar (2020), Annaatthe (2021) |
| Upcoming Films | N/A |
| Popular Television Series | N/A |
| Awards and Achievements | Padma Bhushan (2000), Padma Vibhushan (2016), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2019), Filmfare Awards, Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, NTR National Award, Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Tata Sky, Gaja Jewellers, Himalaya Herbals, Nippo Batteries, Jos Alukkas, Kalyan Jewellers, Yatra.com |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Rajinikanth Charitable Trust, Gnanam Foundation, One Rupee Foundation, Sri Raghavendra Public Charitable Trust, Sri Sathya Sai Baba Trust |
| Professional Associations | Nadigar Sangam, South Indian Film Artistes’ Association, Tamil Film Producers Council |
| Training and Education | Adyar Film Institute, M.G.R Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu |
| Production Company | Rajini Arts |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Billa, Baashha, Muthu, Padayappa, Sivaji, Enthiran, Kabali, 2.0 |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Mullum Malarum, Thalapathi, Thillu Mullu, Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai, Anbulla Rajinikanth, Nallavanukku Nallavan, Manithan, Dalapathi |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 3600 crore, $500 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 100 crore, $14 million |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 8-10 crore, $1-1.4 million |
| Sponsorship Deals | Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Tata Sky, Gaja Jewellers, Himalaya Herbals, Nippo Batteries, Jos Alukkas, Kalyan Jewellers, Yatra.com |
| Business Ventures | Rajini Arts, Raghavendra Mandapam, Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam, Raghavendra Marriage Hall |
| Investments | Real estate, Stocks, Mutual funds |
| Real Estate Holdings | Bungalow in Poes Garden, Chennai, Farmhouse in Kelambakkam, Chennai, Property in Pune, Property in Bengaluru, Property in Hyderabad |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Rolex watch, Diamond ring, Gold bracelet, Platinum chain |
| Cars Collection | Premier Padmini, Toyota Innova, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Tavera, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz G-Class |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Amitabh Bachchan |
| Favorite Actress | Hema Malini |
| Favorite Film | Veera Kesari (Kannada) |
| Favorite Music Bands | Ilaiyaraaja, A.R. Rahman |
| Favorite Sport | Cricket |
| Favorite Books | Ponniyin Selvan, Living with the Himalayan Masters |
| Favorite Color | Black |
| Favorite Food | Masala Dosa |
| Things s/he like | Spirituality, Meditation, Yoga |
| Things s/he dislike | Smoking, Drinking, Violence |
Top 5 Best Films – Rajinikanth
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Muthu | 1995 | Muthu |
| Baashha | 1995 | Manickam/Manik Baashha |
| Annamalai | 1992 | Annamalai |
| Thalapathi | 1991 | Surya |
| Billa | 1980 | Billa/Rajesh |
Controversies – Rajinikanth
- Controversial poster on his 63rd birthday
- Legal notice by the Madras High Court
- Statement about alcohol consumption
- Misuse of his name by Kasthuriraaja
- Protests over his remark on social reformer E V Ramasamy ‘Periyar’
Interesting Facts – Rajinikanth
- Rajinikanth worked as a bus conductor before becoming an actor.
- He is the only Indian actor to be featured in the Central Board of Secondary Education school book.
- Rajinikanth is a cultural phenomenon. His style, dialogues, and mannerisms have become ingrained in Indian pop culture.
- He is known for his spiritual inclinations.
- In 2017, Rajinikanth announced his entry into politics.
- Despite his superstar status, Rajinikanth remains grounded and is involved in various philanthropic activities.
This blog post provides an in-depth look at the life and career of Rajinikanth, a superstar who has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. His journey from a bus conductor to a cultural icon is truly inspiring.
Despite his stardom, Rajinikanth remains grounded and continues to contribute to society through his philanthropic activities. His life and career serve as a testament to his talent, hard work, and humility.
