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Rajinikanth

Rajinikanth was born on December 12, 1950, as Shivaji Rao Gaekwad in Bangalore in the then Mysores State. His family was Maharashtrian, staying in Bangalore for many years. Shivaji Rao Gaekwad became Rajinikanth when he made his film debut in Tamil cinema. In his early days, he began working as a coolie, then a carpenter and finally a bus conductor, when his relative made him appear for an exam for bus conductors with the Bangalore transport corporation. Rajinikanth was a hit among the passengers, as he used style in even issuing tickets and tendering change. He began doing theatre in his spare time, and that is when his acting dream blossomed. MUST READ: Rajinikanth: 10 reasons why men hate the Superstar!

Rajinikanth was urged by a friend to join the Madras Film Institute and he completed his diploma in acting. Renowned director K Balachander launched him in the Tamil movie Apoorva Raagangal in 1975, and the rest, as they say, is history. Rajinikanth today is one of the biggest stars of Indian cinema, with a huge fan-following not just in India but also in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and the US, among other countries.

Rajinikanth, fondly known as Thalaiva or Rajini Sir, has appeared in south Indian and Bollywood films and has been highly appreciated for his roles, whether in a commercial masala entertainer or a story-based movie. But not many know that he has also done a Hollywood film called Bloodstone in 1988, directed by Dwight H Little. Rajinikanth played the role of taxi driver Shyam Sabu, an important role in the film's story.

Rajinikanth has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016 for his contributions to art, by the Government of India. He was also honoured with the Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year at the 45th International Film Festival of India, the Government of India's annual fim festival in Goa. According to information on the superstar, Rajinikanth has won six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, four Best Actor Awards, two Special Awards for Best Actor and a Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Tamil).

Rajinikanth is one of the highest paid actors in Asia. He earned ₹26 crore (US$8.5 million) for his film Sivaji: The Boss in 2007, making him the highest paid actor in Asia after Chinese superstar Jackie Chan. In spite of that, Rajinikanth remains humble. Beyond the arclights, he leads a simple life with his wife Lata and is deeply spiritual. The couple has two daughters, Aishwarya (married to National Award-winning actor Dhanush) and Soundarya (recently filed for divorce from her husband of six years, R Ashwin. Both his daughters are movie directors.

Rajinikanth recently provided ample hints at him wanting to join Indian politics soon. His forthcoming film is 2.0 (aka Robot 2.0), the sequel to Robot or Enthiran.

By Shweta Parande.

Bear Grylls Shares Power-Packed Motion Poster of 'Into the Wild' Featuring Rajinikanth- Watch
India.com Buzz Desk | February 19, 2020 1:27 PM IST
Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth was recently shooting at Karnataka's Bandipur Tiger Reserve with 'Man vs...
Bear Grylls Shares Power-Packed Motion Poster of 'Into the Wild' Featuring Rajinikanth- Watch
indiacom
2020-02-19T02:27:37+00:00
2020-02-19T03:04:15+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
DMK Leader MK Stalin Expresses Confidence, Says Rajinikanth Will Change Stand on CAA
India.com News Desk | February 6, 2020 10:43 PM IST
New Delhi: A day after Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth announced his support for the Centre s contentiou...
DMK Leader MK Stalin Expresses Confidence, Says Rajinikanth Will Change Stand on CAA
indiacom
2020-02-06T11:43:51+00:00
2020-02-06T11:44:03+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Rajinikanth Backs CAA, Says 'Act Does Not Affect Any Citizen of India'
India.com News Desk | February 5, 2020 12:51 PM IST
New Delhi: Superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday threw its weight behind the Citizenship Amendment Act ...
Rajinikanth Backs CAA, Says 'Act Does Not Affect Any Citizen of India'
indiacom
2020-02-05T01:51:28+00:00
2020-02-05T01:51:28+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
After Rajinikanth, PM Modi, Akshay Kumar to Feature in Into the Wild with Bear Grylls
India.com Entertainment Desk | January 29, 2020 9:29 PM IST
After Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar is all set to film an episode for Discovery Channel's popular show M...
After Rajinikanth, PM Modi, Akshay Kumar to Feature in Into the Wild with Bear Grylls
indiacom
2020-01-29T10:29:58+00:00
2020-01-29T10:29:58+00:00
Rajinikanth
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Bear Grylls Refutes Rumours of Rajinikanth Getting Injured, Latter Tweets Thank You Note on Wrapping up Man vs Wild
India.com Entertainment Desk | January 29, 2020 5:55 PM IST
Setting fans on the edge with anticipation ever since the news of him shooting for Bear Grylls-hoste...
Bear Grylls Refutes Rumours of Rajinikanth Getting Injured, Latter Tweets Thank You Note on Wrapping up Man v
indiacom
2020-01-29T06:55:20+00:00
2020-01-29T06:55:20+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Rajinikanth Suffers Injury While Shooting For Man vs Wild in Bandipur Tiger Reserve
India.com Entertainment Desk | January 28, 2020 10:45 PM IST
Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth visited Karnataka's Bandipur Tiger Reserve to shoot an episode for Disco...
Rajinikanth Suffers Injury While Shooting For Man vs Wild in Bandipur Tiger Reserve
indiacom
2020-01-28T11:45:40+00:00
2020-01-28T11:45:40+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
After PM Modi, Superstar Rajinikanth to Feature In An Episode of ‘Man vs Wild’ With Bear Grylls
India.com Buzz Desk | January 28, 2020 11:37 AM IST
New Delhi: After the much-talked about appearance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Man vs Wild, TV...
After PM Modi, Superstar Rajinikanth to Feature In An Episode of ‘Man vs Wild’ With Bear Grylls
indiacom
2020-01-28T00:37:42+00:00
2020-01-28T03:58:11+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
'Why Rush to HC Instead of Going to Magistrate Court?' Madras HC Dismisses Case Against Rajinikanth Over Periyar Remark
India.com News Desk | January 24, 2020 12:46 PM IST
New Delhi: Madras High Court on Friday dismissed the case filed by a Dravidian outfit against actor-...
'Why Rush to HC Instead of Going to Magistrate Court?' Madras HC Dismisses Case Against Rajinikanth Over Peri
indiacom
2020-01-24T01:46:14+00:00
2020-01-24T01:49:31+00:00
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India.com
'Didn't Make Anything up', Rajinikanth Refuses to Apologise For His Remarks Against Periyar
India.com News Desk | January 21, 2020 12:31 PM IST
New Delhi: Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth on Tuesday clearly stated that he won't apologise for...
'Didn't Make Anything up', Rajinikanth Refuses to Apologise For His Remarks Against Periyar
indiacom
2020-01-21T01:31:02+00:00
2020-01-21T01:31:02+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Darbar Controversy: Lyca Productions Removes Alleged Reference to AIADMK's Sasikala From Rajinikanth's Film
India.com Entertainment Desk | January 11, 2020 6:23 PM IST
Director AR Murugadoss seems to have his own way of adding political references in the films. After ...
Darbar Controversy: Lyca Productions Removes Alleged Reference to AIADMK's Sasikala From Rajinikanth's Film
indiacom
2020-01-11T07:23:29+00:00
2020-01-11T07:23:29+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Darbar Box Office Collection Day 1: Rajinikanth Starrer Sets Fire on Opening Day, Mints Rs 2.27 Crore
India.com Entertainment Desk | January 10, 2020 10:38 AM IST
The box office collection for movie Darbar, which is based on Police Officer who solves a series of ...
Darbar Box Office Collection Day 1: Rajinikanth Starrer Sets Fire on Opening Day, Mints Rs 2.27 Crore
indiacom
2020-01-09T23:38:16+00:00
2020-01-09T23:40:02+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Tamilrockers: Rajinikanth’s Darbar Leaked Online by Piracy Torrent Site For Free Online Downloading
India.com Buzz Desk | January 9, 2020 4:23 PM IST
Superstar Rajinikanth is back with his latest outing Darbar directed by AR Murugadoss and is bankrol...
Tamilrockers: Rajinikanth’s Darbar Leaked Online by Piracy Torrent Site For Free Online Downloading
indiacom
2020-01-09T05:23:17+00:00
2020-01-09T05:23:17+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Darbar Twitter Review: Netizens go Crazy After Watching Rajinikanth's Film, Call it Perfect Family Entertainer
India.com Buzz Desk | January 9, 2020 3:45 PM IST
Rajnikanth's film release in no less than a festival for the fans. After keeping the audience waitin...
Darbar Twitter Review: Netizens go Crazy After Watching Rajinikanth's Film, Call it Perfect Family Entertaine
indiacom
2020-01-09T04:45:45+00:00
2020-01-09T04:48:28+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Darbar: Ram Muthuram Cinemas Screens Rajinikanth's Song Chumma Kizhi Twice at First Day First Show
India.com Entertainment Desk | January 9, 2020 10:29 AM IST
Having demanded a helicopter earlier to celebrate the release of Darbar and the makers even getting ...
Darbar: Ram Muthuram Cinemas Screens Rajinikanth's Song Chumma Kizhi Twice at First Day First Show
indiacom
2020-01-08T23:29:19+00:00
2020-01-08T23:29:19+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Darbar Aircraft: Rajinikanth's Cop Thriller Becomes Superstar's Second Film to Get Featured on Plan | Check Pictures Inside
India.com Entertainment Desk | January 9, 2020 9:57 AM IST
The South superstar's fandom and hero-worship are known to go over the top with every new film of hi...
Darbar Aircraft: Rajinikanth's Cop Thriller Becomes Superstar's Second Film to Get Featured on Plan | Check P
indiacom
2020-01-08T22:57:57+00:00
2020-01-08T22:57:57+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Darbar Release: Rajinikanth's Fans Want to Use Helicopter to Shower Theatre With Flowers
India.com Entertainment Desk | January 6, 2020 3:26 PM IST
Actor Rajinikanth's fans are awaiting the release of his upcoming film Darbar that hits the screens ...
Darbar Release: Rajinikanth's Fans Want to Use Helicopter to Shower Theatre With Flowers
indiacom
2020-01-06T04:26:15+00:00
2020-01-06T04:26:15+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Year Ender 2019: Soundarya Rajinikanth-Akash Ambani-Mona Singh And Other Indian Celebrities Who Tied The Knot In 2019
India.com Entertainment Desk | December 29, 2019 12:54 AM IST
The wedding bells, not just in Tinsletown but also in the world of small-screen stars, were clinging...
Year Ender 2019: Soundarya Rajinikanth-Akash Ambani-Mona Singh And Other Indian Celebrities Who Tied The Knot
indiacom
2019-12-28T13:54:10+00:00
2019-12-28T13:54:10+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Darbar Trailer Launch: Rajinikanth, Suniel Shetty And AR Murugadoss Present The Massy Film
India.com Entertainment Desk | December 17, 2019 3:15 PM IST
Superstar Rajinikanth, actor Suniel Shetty and director AR Murugadoss among others released the high...
Darbar Trailer Launch: Rajinikanth, Suniel Shetty And AR Murugadoss Present The Massy Film
indiacom
2019-12-17T04:15:44+00:00
2019-12-17T04:44:04+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Rajinikanth Wishes to Play The Role of Transgender on-Screen; Anyone's Listening?
IANS | December 17, 2019 3:36 PM IST
Superstar Rajinikanth says he would love to explore the idea of playing a transgender in a film. "I ...
Rajinikanth Wishes to Play The Role of Transgender on-Screen; Anyone's Listening?
indiacom
2019-12-17T04:36:14+00:00
2019-12-17T04:36:14+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Darbar Trailer: Rajinikanth Impresses With His Inevitable Presence And 'No Rule' Swag as 'Bad Cop'
India.com Entertainment Desk | December 17, 2019 8:13 AM IST
The much-awaited trailer of actor Rajinikanth's next film Darbar was launched at a grand event on Mo...
Darbar Trailer: Rajinikanth Impresses With His Inevitable Presence And 'No Rule' Swag as 'Bad Cop'
indiacom
2019-12-16T21:13:30+00:00
2019-12-16T21:13:30+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com