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Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, more popularly known as Rajnikanth, is an Indian film actor working mainly in the Tamil film industry. He is one of Kollywood's highest-paid actors and is considered to be one of the most popular Tamil film stars that his fans call him the Super Star of Tamil Cinema since 1987.
Early life
Rajinikanth was born on December 12 1949 in Karnataka, India. He was the fourth child to his parents Ramabai and Ramoji Rao Gaekwad. He lost his mother at the age of five. He had his schooling at the Acharya Patasala in Bangalore and then at the Vivekananda Balak Sangh, a unit of the Ramakrishna Mission. His mother tongue is Marathi, though he has not done any movie in it.
Before starting his career in the film industry, he had to take up all sorts of odd jobs. He served as a bus conductor for Karnataka State Transport Corporation in Bangalore. It was during this time that he nurtured his acting interests by performing in various stage plays.
Acting career
Powered by a strong desire to become an actor, Rajinikanth went to Madras, the tinsel town of Tamil Cinema. He was helped by a friend to join the Madras Film institute and completed his basic acting course in 1974 at the age of 25.
Rajinikanth got his first break in movies when he played a small role in the Kannada movie Katha Sangama by the late director Puttanna Kanagal. Later, he made his entry in the Tamil film world when he played a cancer patient in the movie Apoorva Raagangal (1975). This film was directed by K. Balachandar, whom Rajinikanth considers his mentor, and who named him Rajinikanth. This movie also starred Kamal Hassan in the lead role, who became one of his closest friends. The movie that fetched Rajinikanth wide recognition was Moondru Mudichu (1976), in which he played the role of a cruel womanizer. He followed it up with movies like 16 Vayadhinile , Gayathri, which cast him in villainous and anti-hero roles. Director S. P. Muthuraman first experimented with him in a positive role in Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri, in which Rajinikanth played a villain in the first half and a refined man in the second.
Then Rajinikanth slowly moved on to playing positive character roles in movies like Mullum Malarum, Arilirundhu Arubathu Varai. Films Billa, Pokkiri Raja and others saw him playing stylish goonda roles while Murattu Kaalai, Payum Puli and Moondru Mugam took him to new heights. He was also good at comedy as can be seen in Thillu Mullu (1981). But the most unique among his movies was Sri Raghavendra (1985) —his 100th film— which was a biographical portrait of Hindu saint Raghavendra Swami. Two of the better dramatic movies of Rajinikanth are Pudhu Kavithai and Aarulirundhu Arubadhuvarai. In Pudhukavithai, he plays a man who, having lost his lady love, roams as a drunkard in the streets of Bangalore. The romantic tones of the film are enhanced by the score by Ilayaraaja.
The late Eighties saw him doing more and more action-oriented family entertainers like Velaikkaran, Manidhan, Dharmathin Thalaivan, etc., and it was never looking back for Rajinikanth. His movies made in the late Nineties became mass blockbusters. Some of these include Badsha, Muthu and Padayappa. These movies also had a tinge of politics.
At the age of 56, his latest release was Chandramukhi (April 2005). It was a remake of the Malayalam blockbuster movie Manichitrathazhu starring superstar Mohanlal (also remade in Kannada as "Aaptamithra"). Chandramukhi has broken all the box office records of all movies ever made in Kollywood. It was made after his previous movie Baba (2002) was a disastrous flop! His next film Sivaji is being directed by S. Shankar.
Rajinikanth is popular for his flamboyant dialogue delivery and characteristic mannerisms. While his contemporary super star Kamal Hassan selects performance oriented roles, Rajinikanth's movies have been safe-bet mass entertainers. His movies invariably have a 'good wins over evil' theme with entertaining action sequences, catchy songs and good-natured humour, which makes his films liked by people of all age groups and all walks of life.
Rajinikanth has acted in over 160 films including movies in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Bengali. He has also acted in one Hollywood movie (Bloodstone in 1988). He has acted alongside notable actors like NTR, Sivaji Ganesan, Amitabh Bachchan, Chiranjeevi, Kamal Hassan, Mammooty and Sridevi. He has worked with famous directors like Mani Ratnam and Bharathiraja.
Rajinikanth was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan award in the year 2000.
Rajinikanth and spirituality
Rajinikanth has steadily moved from a playboy lifestyle in the Seventies to a settled lifestyle in the Eighties and a spiritual lifestyle in the Nineties and beyond! He espouses a spiritual outlook towards life, both in the roles he plays in movies as well as his personal life. He has claimed tutelage from Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Sri Raghavendra. Rajinikanth frequently makes pilgrimages to shrines in the Himalayas and Rishikesh. He is seen as a well-rounded person by his fans, partly due to his espousal of spiritual causes.
Influence in politics
Rajinikanth has played a role in Tamil Nadu politics as well. In 1996, he was important in the defeat of the ruling AIADMK party in the Tamilnadu assembly elections. His one interview on Sun TV, popular Tamil language network, proclaimed him King-maker when he supported the DMK-TMC combine and helped them come to power. But in the subsequent elections in 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2004 his poltical clout has waned dramatically. He continues to act in films and keep reasonably away from politics nowadays even though he is ideologically closer to far-right Hindutva parties like BJP.
He was rated as one of the most influential persons in South Asia by Asiaweek.
Punch Dialogues
Thalaivar (Leader) Rajinikanth, as he's popularly known by fans, his movies are known for their punch dialogues, which are one-liners in the movie and repeated by him in the movie after/before a cinematic triumph.
- Naan oru dhatavai sonna,Adhu nooru dhatavai sonna madhiri (roughly translates to - "If I say it once its equivalent to saying it a hundred times") - in the movie "Baasha"
- Aandavan Solran Arunachalam Mudickiran (translation - " God orders, Arunachalam obeys") -in the movie "Arunachalam".
- Adhighama Aasappadra Aambleyum Adhighama Kovappadra Pombleyum Nalla Vaazhnthathaa Sarithirame Kedayadhu (translation - "History depicts that-Man who is greedy and woman who has more anger hasn't lived a pleasant life") - in the movie"Padayappa".
- En vazhi , thani vazhi (translation - 'My way is a unique way') - in the movie "Padayappa".
- Naan solratha thaan seiven, seiratha thaan solluven (translation- I do what I say, I say only what I do) - movie "Manithan".
- Idhu Eppadi Irukku (translation- How is it?) - movie "16 Vayadhiniley".
- Naan solrathaiyum seiyuvaen, sollaatha thaiyum seivaen (translation - I will do what I say, sometimes I will also do that i did not say ).
- Yaen paera kaettaa, vaiyithila yirukkira pulla, oru kaiyaala than vaaya moodi kittu, matha kaiyaala thaan amma vaaya moodum.(translation - If my name is heard, baby in his/her mothers womb would close it's mouth with one hand and close the mouth of his/her mother's mouth with the other hand) - in the movie 'Moondru Mugam'
- Naan Baba, yaentha pakkamum saaiyaatha Baba (translation- My name is 'Baba'.The 'Baba' who doesnt lean to any side ) - movie "Baba".
- Anger is the reason for all miseries, One should know how to control it, otherwise life will become miserable - Padayappa.
- Aasandha adikirathu wungga policy, assaaraama adikirathu Baba policy - Baba
- Gatham Gatham, Mudinjathu Mudinji Pochi - Baba
Family
Rajinikanth married Latha on 26 February 1981.The wedding took place in the holy temple at Tirupathi. He has two daughters, Aishwarya and Sowndarya. His first daughter Aishwarya, an 12th pass, married Dhanush, an upcoming actor on November 18 2004. He is currently residing in Poes garden, Chennai's most elite area.
Filmography
- 1978 - Bairavi
- 1978 - Ilamai Oonjaladukiradhu (guest)
- 1978 - Sadhurangam (guest)
- 1978 - Vanakkathukuriya Kadhaliye
- 1978 - Vayasu Pilichindi (Telugu)
- 1978 - Mullum Malarum songs
- 1978 - Iraivan Kodutha Varam
- 1978 - Thappida Thala (Kannada)
- 1978 - Thappu Thalangal
- 1978 - Aval Appadithan (guest)
- 1978 - Thaai Meedhu Sathiyam (guest)
- 1978 - En Kelvikku Enna Badhil
- 1978 - Justice Gopinath (guest)
- 1978 - Priya songs
- 1979 - Priya (Kannada)
- 1979 - Kuppathu Raja
- 1979 - Iddaru Asadhyule (Telugu)
- 1979 - Alauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum (Malayalam) (guest)
- 1979 - Ninaithale Inikkum (guest)
- 1979 - Andhamaina Anubhavam (Telugu)
- 1979 - Alaudinum Arputha Vilakkum (guest)
- 1979 - Dharma Yuddam songs
- 1979 - Naan Vazhavaippen (guest)
- 1979 - Tiger (Telugu)
- 1979 - Aarilirundhu Arubathu Varai songs
- 1979 - Annai Or Aalayam songs
- 1979 - Amma Evarikkaina Amma (guest)
- 1980 - Billa songs
- 1980 - Ram Robert Rahim (Telugu)
- 1980 - Anbukku Naan Adimai
- 1980 - Kaali songs
- 1980 - Mayadari Krishnudu (Telugu)
- 1980 - Naan Potta Saval
- 1980 - Johnny songs
- 1980 - Kaali (Telugu)
- 1980 - Ellam Un Kairasi
- 1980 - Polladhavan songs
- 1980 - Murattu Kaalai songs
- 1981 - Thee
- 1981 - Kazhugu
- 1981 - Thillu Mullu songs
- 1981 - Garjanai
- 1981 - Garjanam (Malayalam)
- 1981 - Netrikkan songs
- 1981 - Garjane (Kannada)
- 1981 - Raanuva Veeran
- 1982 - Pokkiri Raja songs
- 1982 - Thanikkattu Raja songs
- 1982 - Ranga songs
- 1982 - Pudhukkavidhai
- 1982 - Engeyo Ketta Kural
- 1982 - Moondru Mugam songs
- 1983 - Paayum Puli songs
- 1983 - Thudikkum Karangal songs
- 1983 - Andhaa Kaanoon (Hindi) (guest)
- 1983 - Thaai Veedu songs
- 1983 - Sivappu Suriyan
- 1983 - Jeet Hamaari (Hindi) (guest)
- 1983 - Adutha Varisu songs
- 1983 - Thanga Magan songs
- 1984 - Meri Adaalat (Hindi) (guest)
- 1984 - Naan Mahaan Alla songs
- 1984 - Thambikku Endha Ooru songs
- 1984 - Kai Kodukkum Kai
- 1984 - Ethe Naasaval (Telugu)
- 1984 - Anbulla Rajinikanth (guest) songs
- 1984 - Gangvaa (Hindi) (guest)
- 1984 - Nallavanuku Nallavan songs
- 1984 - John Jani Janardhan (Hindi) (guest)
- 1985 - Naan Sigappu Manidhan songs
- 1985 - Mahaguru (Hindi) (guest)
- 1985 - Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal
- 1985 - Wafadaar (Hindi) (guest)
- 1985 - Shri Ragavendhra
- 1985 - Bewafai (Hindi) (guest)
- 1985 - Padikkadhavan songs
- 1986 - Mr Baarath songs
- 1986 - Nann Adimai Illai
- 1986 - Jeevana Poratam (Telugu)
- 1986 - Viduthalai
- 1986 - Bhagawan Dada (Hindi) (guest)
- 1986 - Asli Naqli (Hindi) (guest)
- 1986 - Dosti Dhushman (Hindi) (guest)
- 1986 - Maaveeran songs
- 1987 - Velaikaaran songs
- 1987 - Insaff Kaun Karega (Hindi) (guest)
- 1987 - Oorkkaavalan songs
- 1987 - Manidhan songs
- 1987 - Uttar Dakshan (Hindi) (guest)
- 1988 - Tamacha (Hindi) (guest)
- 1988 - Guru Sishyan songs
- 1988 - Dharmathin Thalaivan songs
- 1988 - Blood Stone (English) (guest)
- 1988 - Kodi Parakudhu songs
- 1989 - Rajadhi Raja songs
- 1989 - Siva songs
- 1989 - Raja Chinna Roja
- 1989 - Mappillai songs
- 1989 - Bhrashtachar (Hindi) (guest)
- 1989 - Chaalbaaz (Hindi) (guest) songs
- 1990 - Panakkaran songs
- 1990 - Adhisaya Piravi songs
- 1991 - Dharmadurai songs
- 1991 - Hum (Hindi) (guest) songs
- 1991 - Farishtay (Hindi) (guest)
- 1991 - Khoon Ka Karz (Hindi) (guest)
- 1991 - Phool Bane Angaray (Hindi) (guest)
- 1991 - Naattukku Oru Nallavan
- 1991 - Dalapathi songs
- 1991 - Dalapathi (Telugu) songs
- 1992 - Mannan songs
- 1992 - Tyagi (Hindi) (guest)
- 1992 - Annamalai songs
- 1992 - Pandiyan songs
- 1993 - Insaniyat Ke Devta (Hindi) (guest)
- 1993 - Ejamaan songs
- 1993 - Uzhaippali songs
- 1993 - Valli (guest) songs
- 1994 - Veera songs
- 1995 - Badsha songs
- 1995 - Pedarayudu (Telugu) (guest) songs
- 1995 - Aatank Hi Aatank (Hindi) (guest)
- 1995 - Muthu songs
- 1995 - Bhagyadevta (Bengali) (guest)
- 1997 - Arunachalam songs
- 1999 - Padayappa songs
- 2002 - Baba songs
- 2005 - Chandramukhi songs trailer
- 2005 - Chandramukhi (Telugu) songs
- 2007 - Sivaji: The Boss
External links
- IMDB Entry
- #1 Rajinikanth fan site
- Blog about Rajini's upcoming movie Sivaji
- Rajnikanth Gallery
- #2 Rajinikanth fan site
- Rajinikanth unofficial fan page from Osaka (Japanese)
- Rajinikanth's profile at nilacharal
Sources say that the Superstar has been paid a very huge amount as advance for the upcoming movie "Sivaji coming soon"
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