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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.

Rajinikanth Breaks Silence on Contesting Lok Sabha Elections, Gives Out a Strict Statement
IANS | February 17, 2019 5:08 PM IST
Amid dragging speculation whether he will take the plunge or not, superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday, F...
Rajinikanth Breaks Silence on Contesting Lok Sabha Elections, Gives Out a Strict Statement
indiacom
2019-02-17T06:08:41+00:00
2019-02-17T06:08:41+00:00
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India.com
Rajinikanth confirms not contesting the Lok Sabha elections
IANS | February 17, 2019 2:17 PM IST
Amid speculation whether he will take the plunge or not, superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday announced t...
Rajinikanth confirms not contesting the Lok Sabha elections
indiacom
2019-02-17T03:17:57+00:00
2019-02-17T03:17:57+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Rajinikanth Announces he Will Not Contest Polls, Advises People Which Party to Vote
India.com News Desk | February 17, 2019 12:34 PM IST
Chennai: Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth on Sunday announced that he or his party will not be co...
Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Rajinikanth Announces he Will Not Contest Polls, Advises People Which Party to Vote
indiacom
2019-02-17T01:34:00+00:00
2019-02-17T01:34:00+00:00
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Soundarya Rajinikanth Shares Honeymoon Pictures With Hubby Vishagan Vanangamudi From Iceland, Trolled For Second Marriage - Check Tweets
India.com Buzz Desk | February 16, 2019 4:41 PM IST
Superstar Rajinikanth s daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth tied the knot with Vishagan Vanangamudi in a ...
Soundarya Rajinikanth Shares Honeymoon Pictures With Hubby Vishagan Vanangamudi From Iceland, Trolled For Sec
indiacom
2019-02-16T05:41:12+00:00
2019-02-16T05:41:55+00:00
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Newlyweds Soundarya Rajinikanth and Vishagan Vanangamudi fly to Iceland for honeymoon - view pics
Gautham Pattikonda | February 16, 2019 3:48 PM IST
After getting married in a grand affair in Chennai, Soundarya Rajinikanth and Vishagan Vanangamudi h...
Newlyweds Soundarya Rajinikanth and Vishagan Vanangamudi fly to Iceland for honeymoon - view pics
indiacom
2019-02-16T04:48:33+00:00
2019-02-16T04:48:33+00:00
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Soundarya Rajinikanth's wedding, Mahesh Babu, Priya Prakash Varrier - check out the top newsmakers of South this week
BollywoodLife | February 16, 2019 9:00 AM IST
Last week in South cinema was quite a happening one. While Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya got hitc...
Soundarya Rajinikanth's wedding, Mahesh Babu, Priya Prakash Varrier - check out the top newsmakers of South t
indiacom
2019-02-15T22:00:47+00:00
2019-02-15T22:02:02+00:00
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Rajinikanth pens down an emotional letter thanking guests for attending daughter Soundarya’s wedding
Gautham Pattikonda | February 13, 2019 8:14 PM IST
Rajinikanth's younger daughter Soundarya got married to Vishagan Vanangamudi yesterday in Chennai wh...
Rajinikanth pens down an emotional letter thanking guests for attending daughter Soundarya’s wedding
indiacom
2019-02-13T09:14:11+00:00
2019-02-13T09:14:11+00:00
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Rajinikanth's Lovely Gesture For Guests at Her Daughter Soundarya's Wedding is What Makes Him a Superstar
India.com Entertainment Desk | February 13, 2019 7:44 PM IST
Superstar Rajinikanth has showed a lovely gesture for all those who came to bless his daughter Sound...
Rajinikanth's Lovely Gesture For Guests at Her Daughter Soundarya's Wedding is What Makes Him a Superstar
indiacom
2019-02-13T08:44:40+00:00
2019-02-13T08:44:40+00:00
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After Petta, Simran and Trisha Krishnan to reunite for an action-adventure film – deets inside
Gautham Pattikonda | February 13, 2019 6:29 PM IST
After being in the industry for more than two decades, actresses Trisha Krishnan and Simran shared s...
After Petta, Simran and Trisha Krishnan to reunite for an action-adventure film – deets inside
indiacom
2019-02-13T07:29:26+00:00
2019-02-13T07:29:26+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
PICS: Soundarya Rajinikanth's bridal looks are elaborate yet elegant
Urmimala Banerjee | February 13, 2019 10:48 AM IST
Soundarya Rajinikanth is glowing in love. The gorgeous filmmaker tied the knot with Vishagan Vananga...
PICS: Soundarya Rajinikanth's bridal looks are elaborate yet elegant
indiacom
2019-02-12T23:48:08+00:00
2019-02-12T23:48:08+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Soundarya Rajinikanth and Vishagan Vanangamudi host a grand wedding reception for friends and family – see inside pics and videos
Gautham Pattikonda | February 12, 2019 1:25 PM IST
Rajinikanth s younger daughter Soundarya got married to businessman Vishagan in Chennai yesterday wh...
Soundarya Rajinikanth and Vishagan Vanangamudi host a grand wedding reception for friends and family – see
indiacom
2019-02-12T02:25:04+00:00
2019-02-12T02:25:04+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Soundarya Rajinikanth And Vishagan Vanangamudi Look Like a Match Made in Heaven at Their Wedding Reception
India.com Entertainment Desk | February 12, 2019 11:42 AM IST
Superstar Rajinikanth s daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth tied the knot with Vishagan Vanangamudi in Ch...
Soundarya Rajinikanth And Vishagan Vanangamudi Look Like a Match Made in Heaven at Their Wedding Reception
indiacom
2019-02-12T00:42:40+00:00
2019-02-12T00:42:40+00:00
Rajinikanth
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Thala Ajith and Nayanthara's Viswasam continues its splendid run at the overseas box office
Ganesh Aaglave | February 12, 2019 11:18 AM IST
Thala Ajith and Nayanthara-starrer Viswasam has completed one month at the box office and is still r...
Thala Ajith and Nayanthara's Viswasam continues its splendid run at the overseas box office
indiacom
2019-02-12T00:18:54+00:00
2019-02-12T00:15:49+00:00
Rajinikanth
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Soundarya Rajinikanth Shares Beautiful Inside Pictures From Wedding-See Pics
India.com Entertainment Desk | February 11, 2019 7:46 PM IST
Superstar Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth got married to actor-businessman Vishagan Van...
Soundarya Rajinikanth Shares Beautiful Inside Pictures From Wedding-See Pics
indiacom
2019-02-11T08:46:22+00:00
2019-02-11T08:46:22+00:00
Rajinikanth
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Superstar Rajinikanth dancing at daughter Soundarya’s wedding is pure gold – watch video here
Gautham Pattikonda | February 11, 2019 3:12 PM IST
Pan India star Rajinikanth s daughter Soundarya got married today to Vishagan in Chennai. Celebritie...
Superstar Rajinikanth dancing at daughter Soundarya’s wedding is pure gold – watch video here
indiacom
2019-02-11T04:12:59+00:00
2019-02-11T04:12:59+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
THESE pictures of Soundarya Rajinikanth and Vishagan Vanangamudi's wedding are super adorable
Gautham Pattikonda | February 11, 2019 1:37 PM IST
Rajinikanth s younger daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth tied the knot today in Chennai with Vishagan Va...
THESE pictures of Soundarya Rajinikanth and Vishagan Vanangamudi's wedding are super adorable
indiacom
2019-02-11T02:37:03+00:00
2019-02-11T02:37:03+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
THIS ace technician joins the crew of Rajinikanth's next with director AR Murugadoss – deets inside
Gautham Pattikonda | February 11, 2019 1:00 PM IST
After Petta, superstar Rajinikanth will next team up with director AR Murugadoss and the film is yet...
THIS ace technician joins the crew of Rajinikanth's next with director AR Murugadoss – deets inside
indiacom
2019-02-11T02:00:28+00:00
2019-02-11T02:00:28+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Soundarya Rajinikanth-Vishagan Vanangamudi wedding LIVE Updates: Dhanush, Aditi Rao Hydari and Anirudh Ravichander arrive
Urmimala Banerjee | February 11, 2019 10:56 AM IST
In a few hours from now, Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya and actor-businessman Vishagan Vanangamudi...
Soundarya Rajinikanth-Vishagan Vanangamudi wedding LIVE Updates: Dhanush, Aditi Rao Hydari and Anirudh Ravich
indiacom
2019-02-10T23:56:36+00:00
2019-02-11T01:19:32+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Rajinikanth's Dance Video From Daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth's Pre-Wedding Function Goes Viral
India.com Entertainment Desk | February 10, 2019 8:40 PM IST
Superstar Rajinikanth and family organised a pre-wedding function for daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth...
Rajinikanth's Dance Video From Daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth's Pre-Wedding Function Goes Viral
indiacom
2019-02-10T09:40:45+00:00
2019-02-10T09:40:45+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com
Rajinikanth dancing to Oruvan Oruvan Mudhalali at Soundarya and Vishagan's pre-wedding party is unmissable – watch video
Dishya Sharma | February 10, 2019 4:09 PM IST
Rajinikanth is in the mood of celebrations, and why shouldn t he? His daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth...
Rajinikanth dancing to Oruvan Oruvan Mudhalali at Soundarya and Vishagan's pre-wedding party is unmissable �
indiacom
2019-02-10T05:09:44+00:00
2019-02-10T05:09:44+00:00
Rajinikanth
India.com