Rajinikanth's Profile

Name: Rajinikanth

Original Name: Shivaji Rao Gaikwad

Known as: Super star, Thalaivar

Date of Birth: 12 December 1950

Birth Place: Bangalore, Mysore State, India

Father: Ramoji Rao Gaekwad

Mother: Jijabai

Wife:Latha Rangachari

Elder daughter: Aishwarya

Younger daughter: Soundarya

Elder Son-in-law: Dhanush

Younger Son-in-law: Ashwin


Rajinikanth was born as Shivaji Rao Gaikwad in a Maharashtrian family, to mother Jijabai and father Ramoji Rao Gaekwad, on December 12, 1950 in the Indian city of Bangalore in Mysore State, which was the name of present-day Karnataka. He was the youngest of four siblings and has two brothers and a sister. After the death of his mother at his age of 5,  he struggled with an impoverished lifestyle during his childhood. During that time, he often did odd jobs as a coolie in his community. He attended the Government Model Primary School at Gavipuram, Bangalore where he had his elementary education in Kannada.

Between 1966 and 1973 he worked in many places in Chennai and Bangalore. He performed various jobs before joining the then Bangalore Transport Service (BTS) as a bus conductor in Bangalore.  He began to take part in stage plays after Kannada playwright and director Topi Muniappa offered him a chance to act in mythological moral plays, out of which the most notable role performed by him was that of the villainous Duryodhana. In 1973, his friend and co-worker Raj Bahadur motivated him to join the Madras Film Institute and also financially supported him for two years during his studies.  His performance in a stage play eventually caught the eye of film director K. Balachander. The director advised him to learn to speak Tamil, a recommendation that Rajinikanth quickly followed and which proved to be extremely useful in his career.

Popularity

Rajinikanth has been called the most popular South Indian film actor of his time. Rajinikanth's popularity has been attributed to "his uniquely styled dialogues and idiosyncrasies in films, as well as his political statements and philanthropy". Many also cite reasons for Rajinikanth's popularity as coming from his larger-than-life super-hero appearance in many films, supported by gravity-defying stunts and charismatic expressions, all while attempting to maintain modesty in real-life. Almost every film of Rajinikanth has punchlines delivered by him in an imitable style, and these punchlines often have a message or even to warn the film's antagonists. These dialogues are usually fabricated to create new ones or even taken in a comical way, but do not fail to create a sense of entertainment among viewers.  It is suggested by the media that some popular actors who worked with Rajinikanth earlier in their careers, such as Gouthami Tadimalla and Nayanthara, were recognized because of their association with Rajinikanth, giving other aspiring actors the urge to work with him. Some fellow actors, such as Cho Ramaswamy, have commentated that Rajinikanth has the potential to be successful in Indian politics due to his popularity and fan base alone.

During a visit to Japan in 2006, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh acknowledged the success of Muthu in the country during a speech, justifying the positive relationship between the two nations. Chandramukhi is notable for being the longest-running Tamil film in India, playing for a total of over 800 days. Sivaji was instrumental in making one of the largest releases for an Indian film in the world; the film entered the list of top ten films of the United Kingdom upon release. Chandramukhi and Sivaji were also released in South Africa, where they eventually became high box-office grossers. In December 2010, it was reported that students of the post-graduate management program at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad would use Enthiran as a case study to analyse the business of cinema and its success story, as part of an elective course called Contemporary Film Industry: A Business Perspective. The course would also study Muthu. "Rajinikanth facts" or "Rajinikanth jokes" are satirical factoids about Rajinikanth. They are widely circulated in text messages and over the internet. Many Rajinikanth jokes are said to be inspired by Chuck Norris facts. Rajinikanth jokes usually surface before the expected release of one of his movies. These satirical jokes have also inspired an iPad application. A clip from his 1990 Tamil film Athisaya Piravi, featuring himself and fellow actor Thavakalai, became a hugely popular viral video titled "Little Superstar" on YouTube in 2006.

Personal life

He married Latha Rangachari, an Iyengar, on February 26, 1981, at the age of 31 in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. They have two daughters named Aishwarya Rajinikanth and Soundarya Rajinikanth. His wife, Latha Rajinikanth, currently runs a school named The Ashram. His elder daughter, Aishwarya, married actor Dhanush on November 18, 2004 and they have two sons named Yathra and Linga. His younger daughter, Soundarya, works in the film industry as a director, producer and graphic designer. She married industrialist Ashwin Ramkumar on September 3, 2010.

Religious views

Rajinikanth is a follower of Hinduism, spiritualism, and a strong believer of spirituality.  As a reader, he also enjoys books on such topics.  He is also a practitoner of yoga and meditation.  Rajinikanth is known for visiting temples prior to the release of each of his films; for instance he visited the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple before the release of Sivaji in 2007 and visited Sathya Sai Baba at Prasanthi Nilayam in Andhra Pradesh before the release of Kuselan the following year. He also occasionally leaves for pilgrimage to the Himalayas. He has often referred to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Satchidananda, Ragavendra Swami, Mahavatar Babaji, and Ramana Maharishi as his favourite spiritual leaders.

Health

Rajinikanth attended the principal photography of Rana on 29 April 2011 where he suffered a mild foodborne illness that caused emesis, resulting in subsequent dehydration and exhaustion. He was treated at St. Isabel's Hospital for a day before being discharged. On 4 May 2011, five days after his last hospital visit, he was rushed to the same hospital again after complaining of breathlessness and fever. He was diagnosed with bronchitis and was kept at the hospital for a week, while spending a few days under an intensive care unit.  A mass unrest among fans and a spike in social media activity as the news broke out. Members of the media and fans began to crowd outside St. Isabel's Hospital in Chennai's Mylapore neighbourhood while Rajinikanth was there. Several conflicting reports of discharge dates had arised, as well as claims of Rajinikanth's health deteriorating, which were continuously denied by Latha Rajinikanth. By this time, CNN-IBN reported that "Rajinikanth dead" was one of the top trends on Twitter and most searched term on Google in India Two days after his last discharge, Rajinikanth was admitted to the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre on 16 May 2011 for recurring respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. The hospital, however, continued to maintain that Rajinikanth was in a stable condition and showed positive response to treatment. On 19 May 2011, he was shifted to the intensive care unit after showing initial signs of renal failure and was undergoing temporary dialysis. It was widely reported that he required a kidney transplantation, which was later denied by Dhanush. On 21 May 2011, Aishwarya Rajinikanth released a photo of her and Rajinikanth, both posing with a thumbs signal in his hospital ward, responding to fans' negative reaction to news reports. The hospital restricted unauthorized visitors and Latha requested media and the public to not crowd outside the hospital in order to allow Rajinikanth to rest. Rajinikanth's brother, Sathyanarayana Rao Gaikwad, reported that the cause of the sudden illness was due to stress from rapid weight-loss and changes in diet, as well as withdrawal of alcohol consumption and smoking cessation.  After addressing fans in a 4-minute digitally recorded voice message to the media, Rajinikanth, under the advice of Amitabh Bachchan, travelled from Chennai to Singapore with his family on 21 May 2011, where he was to undergo further treatment for nephropathy at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital.  After spending over two weeks at the hospital, he was finally discharged on 15 June 2011 and continued to stay in Singapore for vacation, before returning to Chennai on 13 July 2011.

Awards and honours

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Rajinikanth

Rajinikanth received his first Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor in 1984 for Nallavanuku Nallavan. He later received Filmfare Award nominations for his performances in Muthu (1995), Sivaji (2007) and Enthiran (2010). Rajinikanth also received Tamil Nadu State Film Awards in the Best Actor category for his roles in Muthu (1995), Padayappa (1999), Chandramukhi (2005), and Sivaji (2007). He also received numerous awards from Cinema Express and Filmfans' Association for his on-screen performances and off-screen contributions in writing and producing

Rajinikanth received the Kalaimamani award in 1984 and the M. G. R. Award in 1989, both from the Government of Tamil Nadu. In 1995, the South Indian Film Artistes' Association presented him with the Kalaichelvam Award. He was named and honored with the Padma Bhushan award, India's third highest civilian honour, in 2000 from the Government of India. He was selected as the Indian Entertainer of the Year for 2007 by NDTV, competing against the likes of Shahrukh Khan. The Government of Maharashtra honoured him with the Raj Kapoor Award the same year. He received the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema at the 2010 ceremony of the Vijay Awards.

Rajinikanth was awarded the Entertainer of the Decade Award by NDTV in 2011 by Indian Home Minister of Affairs P. Chidambaram.

List of Movies

Year     Film

1975    Apoorva Raagangal

1976    Katha Sangama

1976    Anthuleni Katha

1976    Moondru Mudichu

1976    Baalu Jenu

1977    Avargal

1977    Kavikkuyil

1977    Raghupathi Raghavan Rajaram

1977    Chilakamma Cheppindi

1977    Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri

1977    Ondu Premada Kathe

1977    16 Vayathinile

1977    Sahodarara Savaal    

1977    Aadu Puli Attam

1977    Gaayathri

1977    Kumkuma Rakshe

1977    Aarupushpangal

1977    Tholireyi Gadichindi

1977    Aame Katha

1977    Galate Samsara

1978    Shankar Salim Simon

1978    Kiladi Kittu

1978    Annadammula Savaal

1978    Aayiram Jenmangal

1978    Maathu Tappada Maga

1978    Mangudi Minor

1978    Bairavi

1978    Ilamai Oonjaladukirathu

1978    Sadhurangam

1978    Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye

1978    Vayasu Pilichindi

1978    Mullum Malarum

1978    Iraivan Kodutha Varam

1978    Thappida Thala

1978    Thappu Thalangal

1978    Aval Appadithan

1978    Thai Meethu Sathiyam

1978    En Kelvikku Enna Bathil

1978    Justice Gopinath

1978    Priya

1979    Priya

1979    Kuppathu Raja

1979    Iddaru Asadhyule

1979    Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum

1979    Ninaithale Inikkum

1979    Andamaina Anubhavam

1979    Allaudinaum Arputha Vilakkum

1979    Dharma Yuddam

1979    Naan Vazhavaippen

1979    Tiger

1979    Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai

1979    Annai Oru Alayam

1979    Amma Evarikkaina Amma

1980    Billa

1980    Ram Robert Rahim

1980    Anbukku Naan Adimai

1980    Kaali

1980    Mayadari Krishnudu

1980    Naan Potta Saval

1980    Johnny

1980    Kaali

1980    Ellam Un Kairasi

1980    Polladhavan

1980    Murattu Kalai

1981    Thee

1981    Kazhugu

1981    Thillu Mullu

1981    Garjanai

1981    Garjanam

1981    Netri Kann

1981    Garjana

1981    Ranuva Veeran

1982    Pokkiri Raja

1982    Thanikattu Raja

1982    Ranga

1982    Puthukavithai

1982    Enkeyo Ketta Kural

1982    Moondru mugam

1983    Paayum Puli

1983    Thudikkum Karangal

1983    Andha Kanoon

1983    Thai Veedu

1983    Sivappu Sooriyan

1983    Jeet Hamaari

1983    Adutha Varisu

1983    Thanga Magan

1984    Meri Adaalat

1984    Naan Mahaan Alla

1984    Thambikku Entha Ooru

1984    Kai Kodukkum Kai

1984    Ethe Naasaval

1984    Gangvaa

1984    Nallavanuku Nallavan

1984    John Jani Janardhan

1985    Naan Sigappu Manithan

1985    Mahaguru

1985    Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal

1985    Wafadaar

1985    Ek Saudagar

1985    Sri Raghavendra

1985    Bewafai

1985    Padikkadavan

1986    Mr. Bharath

1986    Naan Adimai Illai

1986    Jeevana Poratam

1986    Viduthalai

1986    Bhagwan Dada

1986    Asli Naqli

1986    Dosti Dhushman

1986    Maaveeran

1987    Velaikaran

1987    Insaff Kaun Karega

1987    Daku Hasina

1987    Oorkavalan

1987    Manithan

1987    Uttar Dakshan

1987    Manathil Uruthi Vendum

1988    Tamacha

1988    Guru Sishyan

1988    Dharmathin Thalaivan

1988    Bloodstone

1988    Kodi Parakuthu

1989    Rajathi Raja

1989    Siva

1989    Raja Chinna Roja

1989    Mappillai

1989    Gair Kanooni

1989    Chaalbaaz

1990    Panakkaran

1990    Athisaya Piravi

1991    Dharma Dorai

1991    Hum

1991    Farishtay

1991    Khoon Ka Karz

1991    Phool Bane Angaray

1991    Nattukku Oru Nallavan

1991    Thalapathi

1992    Mannan

1992    Tyagi

1992    Annamalai

1992    Pandiyan

1993    Insaniyat Ke Devta

1993    Yejaman

1993    Uzhaippali

1994    Veera

1995    Badsha

1995    Peddarayudu

1995    Aatank Hi Aatank

1995    Muthu

1995    Bhagya Debata

1997    Arunachalam

1999    Padayappa

2005    Chandramukhi

2007    Sivaji

2008    Kuselan

2008    Kathanayakudu

2010    Enthiran

2012    Rana

2012    Hara

Rajinikanth wife, daughters, family, daughter marriage photos

Young Rajinikanth

Rajinikanth's Wedding

Rajini with his wife Latha

Rajinikanth's family

Aishwarya and Dhanush

Rajinikanth daughter Soundarya's Wedding

Rajinikanth's family in wedding

Aishwarya and Abhishek in Rajinikanth's daughter wedding

 

Rajini at the Young Age

Rajini Now