Rajinikanth (born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad on December 12, 1950 in Bangalore, Karnataka, India) is an Indian film actor. Rajinikanth's mass popularity and appeal is largely drawn from his mannerisms and stylized delivery of dialogue. He received India's third highest honour, the Padma Bhushan, for his contribution to Indian cinema. Apart from his film career, he is a well known philanthropist and also serves as a notable influence in the politics of Tamil Nadu. Other than acting, Rajinikanth worked as a screenwriter, film producer, and also a playback singer.
Rajnikanth studied at the Acharya Paathshala and Vivekananda Balaka Sangha in Bangalore. He worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service to earn a living. His love for acting was evident even then as he used to participate in stage plays and practice stunts at the Rama Hanuman Temple. In 1973, he joined the Madras Film Institute with a colleague to study acting and was mentored by A.Prabhakaran, his vice principal. He married actor Y.G.Mahendran’s sister Latha Parthasarthy in 1981 in Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh. She runs a school called The Ashram. They have two daughters Aishwarya and Soundarya. While Aishwarya is married to actor Dhanush, Soundarya is a director, producer and graphic designer. Rajnikanth was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2000 for his contribution to indian film industry
Popularily referred to and credited in films as "Superstar" and often referred to as "thalaivar" (meaning leader in Tamil), Rajinikanth debuted as an actor in 1975 under the direction of K. Balachander in supporting roles. He was later favored in portraying antagonistic characters and gradually rose to acting in lead roles. Being a well known film artist to several regional film industries of India, he also appeared in the cinemas of other nations, including American cinema. He was reportedly paid Rs. 26 crore (about $5.3 million USD as of January 2009) for his latest blockbuster Sivaji: The Boss, making him the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan.
Rajnikanth studied at the Acharya Paathshala and Vivekananda Balaka Sangha in Bangalore. He worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service to earn a living. His love for acting was evident even then as he used to participate in stage plays and practice stunts at the Rama Hanuman Temple. In 1973, he joined the Madras Film Institute with a colleague to study acting and was mentored by A.Prabhakaran, his vice principal. He married actor Y.G.Mahendran’s sister Latha Parthasarthy in 1981 in Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh. She runs a school called The Ashram. They have two daughters Aishwarya and Soundarya. While Aishwarya is married to actor Dhanush, Soundarya is a director, producer and graphic designer. Rajnikanth was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2000 for his contribution to indian film industry
Popularily referred to and credited in films as "Superstar" and often referred to as "thalaivar" (meaning leader in Tamil), Rajinikanth debuted as an actor in 1975 under the direction of K. Balachander in supporting roles. He was later favored in portraying antagonistic characters and gradually rose to acting in lead roles. Being a well known film artist to several regional film industries of India, he also appeared in the cinemas of other nations, including American cinema. He was reportedly paid Rs. 26 crore (about $5.3 million USD as of January 2009) for his latest blockbuster Sivaji: The Boss, making him the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan.