Rajinikanth
Tamil cinema superstar with a five-decade career
- Age
- 75 yrs
- Birthday in 45 days
- Works listed
- 6
- Film
- Honours
- 3
- Most recent 2021
- Profile views
- 2
- 0 followers
Rajinikanth is one of the biggest film stars in India. A former bus conductor from Bengaluru, he became the defining star of Tamil cinema through stylish mass-entertainers such as Baashha, Padayappa and Enthiran, and received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest film honour.
Biography
From bus conductor to actor
Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad into a Marathi family in Bangalore, he lost his mother as a child and took a series of jobs, including bus conductor with the Bangalore Transport Service, where his flamboyant style with tickets and cigarettes amused passengers. Encouraged by friends, he trained at the Madras Film Institute, where director K. Balachander spotted him and cast him in Apoorva Raagangal (1975). Balachander also gave him his screen name.
Becoming the Superstar
Through the late 1970s Rajinikanth played villains and anti-heroes before moving into leading roles. Films such as Billa (1980), Murattu Kaalai and Thalapathi (1991) built a following, and Baashha (1995), Muthu (1995) and Padayappa (1999) made him the biggest draw in Tamil cinema. Muthu became a surprise hit in Japan, giving him a fan base there.
Style and later blockbusters
His screen persona — the flick of the sunglasses, the cigarette toss, the punchline dialogue — is endlessly imitated, while off screen he is known for simple dress and spiritual retreats to the Himalayas. Later hits include Sivaji (2007), the science-fiction film Enthiran (2010) and its sequel 2.0 (2018), Kabali (2016) and Jailer (2023).
Recognition and public life
Rajinikanth received the Padma Bhushan in 2000, the Padma Vibhushan in 2016 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2019. He announced plans to start a political party but withdrew in December 2020, citing health reasons. He is married to Latha Rajinikanth; their daughters Aishwarya and Soundarya both work in films.
Why they matter
No Indian star inspires the devotion Rajinikanth does: release days of his films have been declared holidays by some offices in Tamil Nadu, and fans have poured milk over his cut-outs. What makes him unusual is the contrast between screen and life — on screen a stylish superhero, off it a balding, simply dressed man who retreats to the Himalayas. His appeal crosses language and class, from Tamil villages to Japanese cinemas. He represents a model of stardom, built on persona rather than realism, that remains unique in world cinema.
Timeline
-
1950
Born in Bangalore, Mysore State (now Bengaluru, Karnataka)
-
1975
Film debut in Apoorva Raagangal
Directed by K. Balachander.
-
1991
Thalapathi with Mani Ratnam
-
1995
Baashha and Muthu
-
1999
Padayappa
-
2000
Padma Bhushan
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2010
Enthiran
One of the most expensive Indian films of its time.
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2016
Padma Vibhushan
-
2021
Receives the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
For the year 2019.
-
2023
Jailer
Notable works
-
1995
Baashha Film
-
1995
Muthu Film
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1999
Padayappa Film
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2007
Sivaji Film
-
2010
Enthiran Film
-
2023
Jailer Film
Awards and honours
-
Padma Bhushan
2000
-
Padma Vibhushan
2016
-
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
2021 · For 2019.
Did you know?
-
1
He worked as a bus conductor in Bengaluru before becoming an actor.
-
2
His 1995 film Muthu made him popular in Japan.
-
3
Fans call him “Thalaivar”, meaning leader.
Connections
Related people
-
Kamal Haasan
Film & TV · Actor, filmmaker and politician known for daring roles in Tamil cinema
Contemporary and frequent co-star in the 1970s
-
Mani Ratnam
Film & TV · Film director behind Nayakan, Roja and Ponniyin Selvan
Directed him in Thalapathi
-
A. R. Rahman
Music · Composer and winner of two Academy Awards
Composed music for several of his films
Frequently asked
Who is Rajinikanth?
Rajinikanth is one of the biggest film stars in India. A former bus conductor from Bengaluru, he became the defining star of Tamil cinema through stylish mass-entertainers such as Baashha, Padayappa and Enthiran, and received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest film honour.
How old is Rajinikanth?
Rajinikanth is 75 years old, born on 12 December 1950 in Bangalore, Mysore State (now Bengaluru, Karnataka).
Where is Rajinikanth from?
Rajinikanth was born in Bangalore, Mysore State (now Bengaluru, Karnataka).
What is Rajinikanth known for?
Rajinikanth is best known for Baashha, Muthu, Padayappa, Sivaji, Enthiran, Jailer.
What awards has Rajinikanth received?
Notable honours include Padma Bhushan (2000), Padma Vibhushan (2016), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2021).
Who is Rajinikanth married to?
Spouse: Latha Rajinikanth (m. 1981).
References
- Rajinikanth — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Rajinikanth — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Rajinikanth — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Rajinikanth — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Rajinikanth (Q60068) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Rajinikanth”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
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About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 27 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Rajinikanth.” TrackFame, last updated 28 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/rajinikanth
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