This name needs no introduction as even small kids will utter the word 'Rajinikanth' when you say Superstar. Born as Shivaji Rao Gaikwad, Rajinikanth is an Indian film actor, media personality, and cultural icon. He made his debut as an actor in the National Film Award winning motion picture Apoorva Raagangal (1975), directed by K. Balachander, whom the actor considers his mentor.After a brief phase of portraying antagonistic characters in Tamil films, he gradually rose to become an established film actor. Within a few years of his career, he was claimed to be the superstar of Tamil cinema and has since continued to hold a matinee idol status in the popular culture of India.His mannerisms and stylised delivery of dialogue in films contribute to his mass popularity and appeal. While working in other regional film industries of India, he also appeared in the cinemas of other nations, including in that of the United States. After being paid 26 crore (US$5.9 million) for his role in Sivaji (2007), he became the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan.Rajinikanth has worked in over 150 films across various film industries of India. He has won a Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award and six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards four Best Actor Awards and two Special Awards for Best Actor. He was bestowed the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour, in the year 2000 for his contribution to Indian cinema. Other than acting, Rajinikanth has also worked as a producer and screenwriter.
Superstar Rajini in his Mega Blockbuster Enthiran along Aishwarya Rai
Rajinikanth, fondly called Thalaivar (Leader) by his fans, was born on December 12, 1950 to a Marathi family in Bangalore.
He was the fourth child of his parents, Jijabai and Ramojirao Gaekwad, a police constable. He lost his mother at the age of five. 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 he has not yet acted in any Marathi films.
He worked with various jobs in Bangalore and also attended a theatre for stage plays. Before starting his career in the film industry, he used to practice stunts at the Rama Hanuman Temple at a hill near his house.
He then primarily worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation in Bangalore. His charisma and style were noted by the passengers who traveled with him and gave him suggestions in becoming an actor.
It was during this time that he nurtured his acting interests by performing in various stage plays.
He received India's third highest honour, the Padma Bhushan, for his contribution to Indian Cinema
He is best known for his mass popularity and appeal, largely drawn from his mannerisms and stylized delivery of dialogue in films. Other than acting, Rajinikanth worked as a screenwriter, film producer, and also a playback singer.
Apart from his film career, he is a philanthropist and also serves as an influence in the politics of Tamil Nadu.
Rajinikanth joined the Madras Film Institute in 1974. As of 2002, he has acted in over 150 films, which includes Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, English and Bengali language films.
Rajinikanth debuted as an actor in 1975 under the direction of K Balachander insupporting roles. He was later favoured in portraying antagonistic characters and gradually rose to acting in lead roles.
Rajinikanth's first film was in Tamil, where he was initially casted in supporting roles, debuting as a cancer patient in Apoorva Raagangal in 1975.
The film was directed by K Balachander, who is constantly referred by Rajinikanth as his "guru" or mentor.
Around this time Mullum Malarum (1978), directed by J Mahendran, established Rajinikanth in the Tamil film arena as a film hero. After the release of his 1978 film Bhairavi, he became known as the "super star" of Tamil cinema, which was the title given to him by film producer S Thanu and till this date used by many people to refer to him.
The acceptance of Rajinikanth sans his stylized mannerisms proved he had at last become a "star" from a "common actor." 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.
He also appeared in the cinemas of other nations, including American cinema. He was paid Rs 26 crores for Sivaji: The Boss, making him the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan.
With its phenomenal success he was accepted as a full-fledged hero. Billa was followed by a row of hits, namely Murattu Kaalai, Pokkiri Raja, Thanikattu Raja, Naan Mahaan Alla, Pudukavithai and Moondru Mugam
In his 100th movie, Sri Raghavendra, he played the Hindu saint Raghavendra Swami.
The movies released during the nineties included Thalapathy, Mannan, Annamalai, Uzhaippali, Veera, Muthu, Arunachalam and Padayappa(Nara Simha).
Rajinikanth wrote his first screenplay and acted as a special appearance in the film Valli (1993). His film Baasha was released in 1995.
His 1995 film Muthu was dubbed into Japanese while his 2005 film Chandramukhi was dubbed in German and released in all German-speaking nations.
Director KS Ravikumar's Padayappa(Nara Simha) was released in 1999.
After more than a three-year sabbatical from cinema, at 52 years of age, he starred in his home production, Baba which released on 15 August 2002.
Rajinikanth chose to act in director P. Vasu's Tamil remake of Manichithrathazhu, Chandramukhi. Chandramukhi was released on 14 April 2005, and went on to create new box office records such as being the longest running Tamil film, as of 2007.
The film was titled Sivaji: The Boss and released on 15 June 2007 went on to become ranked among other major releases of the year.
Sivaji charted as one of the top-ten best films of United Kingdom and South Africa box-offices upon release.
During the course of the production for Sivaji, Ocher Studios, the animation company of Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth, in association with Adlabs announced their intention of producing a CGI animation film starring an animated version of Rajinikanth.
He has lent his voice to the lead character in the project is titled Sultan: The Warrior directed by his daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth with music provided by AR Rahman.
Rajinikanth has again teamed up with S Shankar and AR Rahman for another movie, Endhiran.
He married Latha Rangachari, on 26 February 1981, at the age of 31 in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and they have two daughters namedAishwarya Rajinikanth and Soundarya
Rajinikanth.
His wife, Latha Rajinikanth currently runs a school named The Ashram. His elder daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth married actor Dhanush on 18 November 2004 and they have one son named Yathra. His second daughter, Soundarya Rajinikanth , works in the film industry as a director, producer and graphic designer.
His second daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth also tied the knot in 2010.
In 1995 Rajinikanth announced that he is willing to support the Congress party after meeting Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. In 1996, when the Congress Party decided to align with AIADMK, Rajinikanth supported DMK-TMC alliance.
In 1996 Rajinikanth supported the DMK-TMC alliance in parliamentary elections. In 2002 Rajinikanth undertook a day-long fast to protest Karnataka's decision to not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
In January 2011, Rajinikanth was signed-up for Rana, a period film to be produced by Soundarya Rajinikanth and directed by K. S. Ravikumar, who will work with Rajinikanth for the third time. During the principal photography of the film on 29 April 2011, he suffered a mild foodborne illness that caused emesis which resulted in dehydration and exhaustion. He was treated for a day before being discharged. 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.
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 unauthorised 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.
In a country that adores it stars, Rajinikanth, even at 61, continues to new standards when it comes to fan following and wish him a good health and continue to spread his magic.
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