Rajinikanth Biography, Age, Photos and Family

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Revathy Anil

Shivaji Rao Gaekwad (born 12 December 1950), known by his mononymous stage name Rajinikanth, is an Indian film actor and politician who works primarily in Tamil cinema. He began acting in plays while working in the Bangalore Transport Service as a bus conductor. In 1973, he joined the Madras Film Institute to pursue a diploma in acting. Following his debut in K. Balachander’s Tamil drama Apoorva Raagangal (1975), his acting career commenced with a brief phase of portraying antagonistic characters in Tamil films.

After earning ₹26 crore (equivalent to ₹56 crore or US$7.8 million in 2017) for his role in Sivaji (2007), he was the highest-paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan at the time. While working in other regional film industries of India, Rajinikanth has also appeared in the cinemas of other nations, including the American film Bloodstone (1988). As of 2018, Rajinikanth has won six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards—four Best Actor Awards and two Special Awards for Best Actor—and a Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. In addition to acting, he has also worked as a producer and screenwriter. Apart from his film career, he is also a philanthropist, spiritualist, and serves as an influence in Dravidian politics.

The Government of India has honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016 for his contributions to the arts. At the 45th International Film Festival of India (2014), he was conferred with the “Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year”.

Early Life and Career

Rajinikanth was born on 12 December 1950, in a Maratha family in Bangalore, Mysore State (present day Karnataka). His mother was a housewife,[a] and his father Ramoji Rao Gaekwad, a police constable, He was named Shivaji Rao Gaekwad after Chhatrapati Shivaji, a Maratha warrior King, and was brought up speaking Marathi at home and Kannada outside. Rajinikanth’s ancestors hailed from Mavadi Kadepathar, Maharashtra and Nachikuppam, Tamil Nadu. He is the youngest of four siblings in a family consisting of two elder brothers (Satyanarayana Rao and Nageshwara Rao) and a sister (Aswath Balubhai). After his father’s retirement from work in 1956, the family moved to the suburb of Hanumantha nagar in Bangalore and built a house there. When he was nine years old, he lost his mother.

At the age of six, Rajinikanth was enrolled at the “Gavipuram Government Kannada Model Primary School” where he had his primary education. As a child, he was studious and “mischievous” with a great interest in cricket, football and basketball. It was during this time that his brother enrolled him at the Ramakrishna Math, a Hindu monastery (math) set up by Ramakrishna Mission. In the math, he was taught Vedas, tradition and history, which eventually instilled a sense of spirituality in him. In addition to spiritual lessons, he also began acting in plays at the math. His aspiration towards theatre grew at the math and was once given an opportunity to enact the role of Ekalavya’s friend from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. His performance in the play received praise from the audience and Kannada poet D. R. Bendre in particular. After sixth grade, Rajinikanth was enrolled at the Acharya Pathasala Public School and studied there till completion of his pre-university course. During his schooling at the Acharya Pathasala, he spent a lot of time acting in plays. In one such occasion, he performed the villainous role of Duryodhana in the play Kurukshetra (Anand iya Vaalka).

Upon completion of his school education, Rajinikanth continued to perform various jobs in the cities of Bangalore and Madras, including that of a coolie and carpenter, and finally ended up being recruited in the Bangalore Transport Service (BTS) as a bus conductor.He began to take part in stage plays after Kannada playwright Topi Muniappa offered him a chance to act in one of his mythological plays. During the time, he came across an advertisement issued by the newly formed Madras Film Institute which offered acting courses. Though his family was not fully supportive of his decision to join the institute, his friend and co-worker Raj Bahadur motivated him to join the institute and financially supported him during this phase. During his stay at the institute, he was performing in a stage play and got noticed by Tamil film director K. Balachander. The director advised him to learn to speak Tamil, a recommendation that Rajinikanth quickly followed.

Family
Rajinikanth married Latha Rangachari, a student of Ethiraj College for Women who interviewed him for her college magazine. The marriage took place on 26 February 1981, in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The couple has two daughters named Aishwarya Rajinikanth and Soundarya Rajinikanth. Latha runs a school named “The Ashram”.

Aishwarya married actor Dhanush on 18 November 2004 and they have two sons, Yathra and Linga. His younger daughter, Soundarya, works in the Tamil film industry as a director, producer and graphic designer. She married industrialist Ashwin Ramkumar on 3 September 2010 and have a son Ved Krishna.

Rajinikanth’s Biography

AboutUnni Mukundan
NameRajinikanth
Nick Name/Real NameShivaji Rao Gaekwad
ProfessionScreen-Writer
Actor
ProducerP
hilanthropist
Politician
NationalityIndian
First FilmApoorva Raagangal (1975)
Physical Stats
Height (Aprox.)173 cm
Weight (Aprox.)75 Kg
Eye ColorDark Brown
Hair ColorWhite (Semi Blad)
Personal Life
Date of Birth12 December 1950
Zodiac SingSagittarious
Age (as of 2018)68(as in 2018)
Birth PlaceBangalure, Mysore
Home Town/StateBangaluru, Karnataka
SchoolGvt. Model School, Govipuram, Bangaluru
CollegeM G R Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu
Educational QualificationDiploma in Acting
Father NameRamoji Rao Gaekwad
Mother NameJijabhai
Brother(s)Satyanarayana Rao
Sister(s) Aswath Balubhai
ReligionHinduism
HobbiesTravelling, Reading and Gardening
Marital StatusMarried
AffairsN/A
Husband/SpouseLatha M
Children2

Rajinikanth’s Movie List

Film Year Role(s) Language(s) Director(s) Notes Ref.
Apoorva Raagangal 1975 Pandiyan Tamil K. Balachander
Katha Sangama 1976 Kondaji Kannada Puttanna Kanagal
Anthuleni Katha 1976 Murthy Telugu K. Balachander
Moondru Mudichu 1976 Prasad Tamil K. Balachander
Baalu Jenu 1976 Vasu Kannada Balan,
Kunigal Nagabushan
Avargal 1977 Ramanathan Tamil K. Balachander
Kavikkuyil 1977 Murugan Tamil Devaraj Mohan
Raghupathi Raghavan Rajaram 1977 Veeraiyan Tamil Durai
Chilakamma Cheppindi 1977 Ravi Telugu Eranki Sharma
Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri 1977 Sampath Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Ondu Premada Kathe 1977 Local school chairman Kannada S. M. Joe Simon
16 Vayathinile 1977 Parattai Tamil P. Bharathiraja
Sahodarara Savaal 1977 Shekhar Kannada K. S. R. Das
Aadu Puli Attam 1977 Rajini Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Gaayathri 1977 Rajarathinam Tamil R. Pattabhiraman
Kumkuma Rakshe 1977 Unknown Kannada S. K. A. Chari
Aarupushpangal 1977 Ravi Tamil K. M. Balakrishnan
Tholireyi Gadichindi 1977 Unknown Telugu K. S. Rami Reddy
Aame Katha 1977 Unknown Telugu K. Raghavendra Rao
Galate Samsara 1977 Sundar Kannada C. V. Rajendran
Shankar Salim Simon 1978 Simon Tamil P. Madhavan
Kiladi Kittu 1978 Srikanth Kannada K. S. R. Das
Annadammula Savaal 1978 Rangababu Telugu K. S. R. Das
Aayiram Jenmangal 1978 Ramesh Tamil Durai
Maathu Tappada Maga 1978 Chandru Kannada Peketi Sivaram
Mangudi Minor 1978 Kumar Tamil V. C. Guhanathan
Bairavi 1978 Mookaiah Tamil M. Bhaskar
Ilamai Oonjaladukirathu 1978 Murali Tamil C. V. Sridhar
Sadhurangam 1978 Kumaresan Tamil Durai
Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye 1978 Joe Tamil A. C. Tirulokchandar
Vayasu Pilichindi 1978 Murali Telugu C. V. Sridhar
Mullum Malarum 1978 Kaali Tamil J. Mahendran Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize
Iraivan Kodutha Varam 1978 Rajinikanth Tamil A. Bhimsingh
Thappida Thala 1978 Devu Kannada K. Balachander
Thappu Thalangal 1978 Deva Tamil K. Balachander
Aval Appadithan 1978 Thyagu Tamil C. Rudhraiya
Thai Meethu Sathiyam 1978 Babu Tamil R. Thyagarajan
En Kelvikku Enna Bathil 1978 Saravana Tamil P. Madhavan
Paavathin Sambalam 1978 Himself Tamil Durai Guest appearance
Justice Gopinath 1978 Ravi Tamil Dasari Yoganand
Priya 1978 Ganesh Tamil S. P. Muthuraman Tamil–Kannada bilingual film
Priya 1979 Ganesh Kannada S. P. Muthuraman Tamil–Kannada bilingual film
Kuppathu Raja 1979 Raja Tamil T. R. Ramanna
Iddaru Asadhyule 1979 Bhaskar Telugu K. S. R. Das
Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum 1979 Kamruddin Malayalam I. V. Sasi Malayalam–Tamil bilingual film
Ninaithale Inikkum 1979 Deepak Tamil K. Balachander Tamil–Telugu bilingual film
Andamaina Anubhavam 1979 Dileep Telugu K. Balachander Tamil–Telugu bilingual film
Thaayillamal Naan Illai 1979 Bichwa Bakri Tamil R. Thyagarajan Guest appearance
Allaudinaum Arputha Vilakkum 1979 Kamruddin Tamil I. V. Sasi Malayalam–Tamil bilingual film [12]
Dharma Yuddam 1979 Raja Tamil R. C. Sakthi
Naan Vazhavaippen 1979 Michael D’Souza Tamil Dasari Yoganand
Tiger 1979 Rashid Telugu N. Ramesh
Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai 1979 Santhanam Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Annai Oru Aalayam 1979 Vijay Tamil R. Thyagarajan Tamil–Telugu bilingual film
Amma Evarikkaina Amma 1979 Vijay Telugu R. Thyagarajan Tamil–Telugu bilingual film
Billa 1980 David Billa, Rajappa Tamil R. Krishnamurthy
Natchathiram 1980 Himself Tamil Dasari Narayana Rao Guest appearance
Ram Robert Rahim 1980 Ram Telugu Vijaya Nirmala
Anbukku Naan Adimai 1980 Gopinath Tamil R. Thyagarajan
Kaali 1980 Kali Tamil I. V. Sasi Tamil–Telugu bilingual film
Mayadari Krishnudu 1980 Krishnudu Telugu R. Thyagarajan [40]
Naan Potta Saval 1980 Ram Tamil Puratchidasan
Johnny 1980 Johnny, Vidyasagar Tamil J. Mahendran
Kaali 1980 Kaali Telugu I. V. Sasi Tamil–Telugu bilingual film
Ellam Un Kairasi 1980 Raja Tamil M. A. Thirumugam
Polladhavan 1980 Manohar Tamil Muktha V. Srinivasan
Murattu Kalai 1980 Kalaiyan Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Thee 1981 Rajashekar Tamil R. Krishnamurthy
Kazhugu 1981 Raja Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Thillu Mullu 1981 Chandran (Indran)[f] Tamil K. Balachander
Garjanai 1981 Vijay Tamil C. V. Rajendran Tamil–Malayalam–Kannada multilingual film
Garjanam 1981 Vijay Malayalam C. V. Rajendran Tamil–Malayalam–Kannada multilingual film
Garjane 1981 Vijay Kannada C. V. Rajendran Tamil–Malayalam–Kannada multilingual film
Netrikkann 1981 Chakravarthi, Santosh[e] Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Ranuva Veeran 1981 Raghu Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Pokkiri Raja 1982 Raja, Ramesh Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Thanikattu Raja 1982 Suryaprakash Tamil V. C. Guhanathan
Ranga 1982 Ranganathan Tamil R. Thyagarajan
Puthukavithai 1982 Anand Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Nandri, Meendum Varuga 1982 Himself Tamil T. S. B. K. Moulee Guest appearance
Enkeyo Ketta Kural 1982 Kumaran Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Moondru Mugam 1982 Alex Pandian, Arun, John[g] Tamil A. Jagannathan Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize
Agni Sakshi 1982 Himself Tamil K. Balachander Guest appearance
Paayum Puli 1983 Bharani Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Uruvangal Maralam 1983 Himself (Raghavendrar) Tamil S. V. Ramanan Guest appearance
Thudikkum Karangal 1983 Gopi Tamil C. V. Sridhar
Andha Kanoon 1983 Vijay Kumar Singh Hindi Tatineni Rama Rao
Thai Veedu 1983 Raju Tamil R. Thyagarajan
Sivappu Sooriyan 1983 Vijay Tamil Muktha V. Srinivasan
Jeet Hamaari 1983 Raju Hindi R. Thyagarajan
Adutha Varisu 1983 Kannan Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Thanga Magan 1983 Arun Tamil A. Jagannathan
Meri Adaalat 1984 Ashok Hindi A. T. Raghu
Naan Mahan Alla 1984 Vishwanath Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Thambikku Entha Ooru 1984 Balu Tamil Rajasekhar
Kai Kodukkum Kai 1984 Kaalimuthu Tamil J. Mahendran
Ethe Naasaval 1984 Ram Telugu Puratchidasan
Anbulla Rajinikanth 1984 Himself Tamil K. Natraj
Gangvaa 1984 Gangvaa Hindi Rajasekhar
Nallavanuku Nallavan 1984 Manickam Tamil S. P. Muthuraman Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil
John Jani Janardhan 1984 John A. Mendez, Janardhan B. Gupta, Jani Hindi Tatineni Rama Rao
Nyayam Meere Cheppalli 1985 Aathmaram Telugu G. Rammohan Rao Guest appearance
Naan Sigappu Manithan 1985 Vijay Tamil S.A. Chandrasekhar
Mahaguru 1985 Vijay (Maha Guru) Hindi S. S. Ravichandra
Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal 1985 Ravi Tamil Balu Mahendra
Wafadaar 1985 Ranga Hindi Dasari Narayana Rao
Sri Raghavendra 1985 Raghavendra Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Geraftaar 1985 Hussain Hindi Prayag Raj Guest appearance
Yaar? 1985 Himself Tamil Sakthi–Kannan Guest appearance
Bewafai 1985 Ranvir Hindi R. Thyagarajan
Padikkadavan 1985 Rajendran Tamil Rajasekhar
Mr. Bharath 1986 Bharath Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Naan Adimai Illai 1986 Vijay Tamil Dwarakish
Jeevana Poratam 1986 Ravi Telugu Rajachandra
Viduthalai 1986 Raja Tamil K. Vijayan
Bhagwaan Dada 1986 Bhagwan Dada Hindi J. Om Prakash
Kodai Mazhai 1986 Himself Tamil Muktha S. Sundar Guest appearance
Asli Naqli 1986 Birju Ustad Hindi Sudarsan Nag
Dosti Dushmani 1986 Ranjith Hindi Tatineni Rama Rao
Maaveeran 1986 Raja Tamil Rajasekhar Also co-producer
Daku Hasina 1987 Mangal Singh Hindi Ashok Rao Special appearance
Velaikaran 1987 Raghupathi Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Insaaf Kaun Karega 1987 Vikram Singh Hindi Sudarsan Nag
Oorkavalan 1987 Kangeyan Tamil Manobala
Manithan 1987 Raja Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Manathil Uruthi Vendum 1987 Himself Tamil K. Balachander Guest appearance
Uttar Dakshin 1987 Shankar Hindi Prabhat Khanna
Tamacha 1988 Vikram Pratap Singh Hindi Ramesh Ahuja
Guru Sishyan 1988 Raja (Guru) Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Dharmathin Thalaivan 1988 Balu, Shankar Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Bloodstone 1988 Shyam Sabu English Dwight H. Little
Kodi Parakuthu 1988 Erode Shivagiri (Dada) Tamil P. Bharathiraja
Rajathi Raja 1989 Raja, Chinnarasu Tamil R. Sundarrajan
Gair Kanooni 1989 Azam Khan Hindi Prayag Raj Special appearance
Siva 1989 Siva (Tiger) Tamil Ameerjan
Raja Chinna Roja 1989 Raja (Kumar) Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Mappillai 1989 Aarumugam Tamil Rajasekhar
Bhrashtachar 1989 Abdul Sattar Hindi Ramesh Sippy Special appearance
ChaalBaaz 1989 Jaggu Hindi Pankaj Parashar
Panakkaran 1990 Muthu Tamil P. Vasu
Periya Idathu Pillai 1990 Rajinikanth Tamil Senthilnathan Guest appearance
Athisaya Piravi 1990 Kaalai, Balu Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Dharma Durai 1991 Dharma Durai Tamil Rajasekhar
Hum 1991 Kumar Malhotra Hindi Mukul S. Anand
Farishtay 1991 Arjun Thange Hindi Anil Sharma
Khoon Ka Karz 1991 Kishan Hindi Mukul S. Anand
Phool Bane Angaray 1991 Ranjit Singh Hindi K. C. Bokadia
Nattukku Oru Nallavan 1991 Subhash Tamil V. Ravichandran
Thalapathi 1991 Surya Tamil Mani Ratnam
Mannan 1992 Krishnan Tamil P. Vasu Also playback singer
Tyagi 1992 Shankar G. “Dadhu” Dayal Hindi K. C. Bokadia
Annamalai 1992 Annamalai Tamil Suresh Krissna
Pandiyan 1992 Pandiyan Tamil S. P. Muthuraman
Insaniyat Ke Devta 1993 Anwar Hindi K. C. Bokadia
Yejaman 1993 Vaanavarayan Tamil R. V. Udayakumar
Uzhaippali 1993 Thamizharasan (Thamizhazhagan) Tamil P. Vasu
Valli 1993 Veeraiyan Tamil K. Natraj Cameo appearance
Also producer and screenwriter
Veera 1994 Muthuveerappan (Veera) Tamil Suresh Krissna
Baashha 1995 Manickam (Manick Baashha) Tamil Suresh Krissna
Peddarayudu 1995 Paparayudu Telugu Ravi Raja Pinisetty Guest appearance
Aatank Hi Aatank 1995 Munna Hindi Dilip Shankar
Muthu 1995 Muthuvel, Zamindar Tamil K. S. Ravikumar Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor
Bhagya Debata 1995 Unknown Bengali Raghuram Special appearance
Arunachalam 1997 Arunachalam, Vedachalam Tamil Sundar C.
Padayappa 1999 Aarupadayappan Tamil K. S. Ravikumar Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor
Bulandi 2000 Ghajraj Thakur Hindi Tatineni Rama Rao Guest appearance
Baba 2002 Baba, Mahavatar Babaji (voice only) Tamil Suresh Krissna Also producer and screenwriter
Chandramukhi 2005 Saravanan, Vettaiyan Raja Tamil P. Vasu Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor
Sivaji 2007 Sivaji (M. G. Ravichandran) Tamil S. Shankar Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil
Kuselan 2008 Ashok Kumar Tamil P. Vasu Cameo appearance
Tamil–Telugu bilingual film
Kathanayakudu 2008 Ashok Kumar Telugu P. Vasu Cameo appearance
Tamil–Telugu bilingual film
Enthiran 2010 Vaseegaran, Chitti Tamil S. Shankar Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil
Ra.One 2011 Chitti Hindi Anubhav Sinha Special appearance
Kochadaiiyaan 2014 Kochadaiiyaan, Rana, Sena Tamil Soundarya Rajinikanth Also playback singer
Lingaa 2014 Raja Lingeswaran, Lingaa Tamil K. S. Ravikumar
Kabali 2016 Kabaleeswaran (Kabali) Tamil Pa. Ranjith Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil
Cinema Veeran 2017 Himself Tamil Aishwarya R. Dhanush Documentary film,
Narrator
Kaala 2018 Karikaalan (Kaala) Tamil Pa. Ranjith
2.0 2018 Vaseegaran, Chitti Tamil S. Shankar Post-production
Tamil–Hindi bilingual film
2.0 2018 Vaseegaran, Chitti Hindi S. Shankar Post-production
Tamil–Hindi bilingual film
Petta TBA TBA Tamil Karthik Subbaraj Post-production

Rajinikanth’s Awards and Nominations

Year Award Honoring body
1984 Kalaimamani Government of Tamil Nadu
1989 MGR Award Government of Tamil Nadu
2000 Padma Bhushan Government of India
2007 Indian Entertainer of the Year NDTV
2007 Raj Kapoor Award Government of Maharashtra
2007 Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema Vijay Awards
2011 Entertainer of the Decade NDTV
2011 MGR-Sivaji Award Government of Tamil Nadu
2011 Most Stylish actor NDTV
2013 The 25 Greatest Global Living Legends NDTV
2014 Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year International Film Festival of India
2016 Padma Vibhushan Government of India
2016 NTR National Award Nandi Awards

Cinema Express Awards

Year Film(s) Category Outcome
1984 Nallavanuku Nallavan Best Actor Won
1985 Sri Raghavendra Best Actor Won
1988 Bloodstone Best Achiever Won
1991 Thalapathy Best Actor Won
1992 Annamalai Best Actor Won
1993 Valli Best Story Writer Won
1995 Baashha, Muthu Best Actor Won

Filmfans Association Awards

Year Film(s) Category Outcome
1979 Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai Best Actor Won
1982 Enkeyo Ketta Kural Best Actor Won
1984 Nallavanuku Nallavan Best Actor Won
1985 Sri Raghavendra Best Actor Won
1991 Thalapathy Best Actor Won
1992 Annamalai Best Actor Won
1993 Valli Best Story Writer Won
1995 Baashha, Muthu Best Actor Won

Filmfare Awards South

Year Film(s) Category Outcome Ref(s).
1984 Nallavanukku Nallavan Best Actor
2007 Sivaji Best Actor Nominated
2010 Enthiran Best Actor Nominated
2016 Kabali Best Actor Nominated

South Screen Awards

Year Film Category Outcome
1995 Peddarayudu Best Actor Won

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

Year Film Category Outcome
1978 Mullum Malarum Special Award Won
1982 Moondru Mugam Special Award Won
1989 Various films Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award- MGR Award Won
1995 Muthu Best Actor Won
1999 Padayappa Best Actor Won
2005 Chandramukhi Best Actor Won
2007 Sivaji Best Actor Won

Vijay Awards

Year Film Category Outcome
2007 Sivaji Favourite Hero Won
2009 Lifetime Achievement Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema Won
2010 Enthiran Best Villain Won
Favourite Hero Won
2014 Lingaa Won

Photos of Rajinikanth

Rajinikanth in Old Movies
Rajinikanth in Old Look
Rajini Kanth Biography
Rajinikanth in Latest Look

Rajinikanth in a TV Show
Rajinikanth’s image
petta-Rajinikanth
rajinikanth in Petta