Rajinikanth, often referred to simply as Rajini, is a legendary Indian actor, primarily working in Tamil cinema. Here are some key points from his biography:
Certainly! Here’s a more detailed bio-data of Rajinikanth:
Full Name: Shivaji Rao Gaekwad (Rajinikanth)
Date of Birth: December 12, 1950
Place of Birth: Bangalore (now Bengaluru), Karnataka, India
Father: Ramoji Rao Gaekwad
Mother: Jijabai
Siblings: Rajinikanth is the youngest of four siblings.
Education:
- Primary Education: Government Model Primary School, Bangalore
- Secondary Education: Acharya Pathasala Public School, Bangalore
- College: Completed a course in Acting at the Madras Film Institute (now Chennai)
Marital Status: Married to Latha Rangachari since 1981
Children:
- Aishwarya Rajinikanth (elder daughter, married to actor Dhanush)
- Soundarya Rajinikanth (younger daughter, director and producer)
Career Timeline:
- Early Career: Worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service (BTS) before entering the film industry.
- Film Debut: First appeared in a supporting role in the Tamil film “Apoorva Raagangal” (1975), directed by K. Balachander.
- Breakthrough: Gained popularity with his roles in movies like “Billa” (1980) and “Murattu Kaalai” (1980).
- Career Milestones: Became a superstar with films such as “Thalapathi” (1991), “Baasha” (1995), and “Padayappa” (1999).
- Cross-lingual Appeal: Acted in several Hindi films like “Andha Kanoon” (1983) and “Hum” (1991), and made appearances in Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema.
- Recent Work: Continued to act in commercially successful films like “Enthiran” (2010), “Kabali” (2016), and “Petta” (2019).
Political Endeavors:
- Announced his entry into politics in 2017 and launched his political party, Rajini Makkal Mandram.
- Initially planned to contest in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections but later withdrew from active politics due to health reasons.
Awards and Honors:
- Awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2000 for his contributions to Indian cinema.
- Conferred with the Padma Vibhushan in 2016, India’s second-highest civilian award.
- Received numerous state and international awards for his acting prowess and contributions to cinema.
Philanthropic Activities:
- Established the Rajini Educational Foundation to support underprivileged students by providing them with scholarships.
- Actively involved in charitable activities and has supported various social causes throughout his career.
Rajinikanth’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential figures in Indian cinema is a testament to his talent, hard work, and enduring popularity among fans worldwide.
- Early Life: Rajinikanth was born as Shivaji Rao Gaekwad on December 12, 1950, in Bangalore (now Bengaluru), Karnataka, India. He was the youngest of four siblings.
- Film Career: He began his career in cinema in the 1970s after working in various odd jobs, and his breakthrough came with the movie “Billa” (1980).
- Iconic Roles: Rajinikanth is known for his unique style, charismatic screen presence, and memorable dialogue delivery. His movies often feature action-packed scenes, coupled with his trademark mannerisms.
- Versatility: Apart from Tamil cinema, Rajinikanth has acted in several Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and even a few Malayalam films.
- Political Involvement: Rajinikanth has been vocal about social and political issues in Tamil Nadu and announced his entry into politics, though he later decided not to contest in the 2021 elections.
- Personal Life: He married Latha Rangachari, a student of Ethiraj College for Women who interviewed him for her college magazine, in 1981. They have two daughters, Aishwarya Rajinikanth and Soundarya Rajinikanth.
- Awards and Recognition: Rajinikanth has received numerous awards for his contributions to Indian cinema, including the Padma Bhushan (2000) and the Padma Vibhushan (2016), two of India’s highest civilian awards.
- Philanthropy: He is also known for his philanthropic efforts, establishing the Rajini Educational Foundation to provide scholarships to students.
Rajinikanth’s journey from a bus conductor to one of India’s most celebrated actors is a story of hard work, determination, and a deep connection with his audience. His influence extends far beyond cinema, making him a cultural icon in India and beyond.