Rajinikanth: The Iconic Superstar of Indian Cinema

Rajinikanth, popularly known as Thalaiva, is one of the most iconic and influential actors in Indian cinema. Predominantly known for his work in Tamil cinema, he has won several awards and accolades throughout his career, including the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan. With his unique style, mannerisms, and action sequences, he has set a benchmark in the film industry. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the life and career of this legendary superstar.

Biography/Wiki

Rajinikanth, whose real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, was born on December 12, 1950, in Bangalore, Mysore State, which is now in Karnataka, India. He is now 72 years old (as of 2022). Rajinikanth is a multitalented actor, producer, screenplay writer, and philanthropist. He has come a long way from being a ticket collector at Bangalore Transport Service to becoming one of the most successful and highest-paid actors in the Indian film industry. Rajinikanth has worked in several languages, including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, English, Malayalam, and Bengali, and his contributions to the film industry have taken it to the next level. Despite his superstardom, Rajinikanth remains humble, simple, and down to earth.

Physical Appearance

Rajinikanth has a charismatic personality and stands tall at 5’8”. He weighs around 75 kgs and has dark brown eyes. He is semi-bald with grey hair, which has become a trademark of sorts.

Family, Affair, Wife & Religion

Rajinikanth was born into a Kshatriya Maratha Family with roots in Tamil Nadu. His father, Ramojirao Gaekwad, was a police constable, and his mother, Jijabai, was a homemaker. When Rajinikanth was just 8 years old, his mother passed away, and he was raised by his elder brothers and his father.

Rajinikanth has three siblings: two brothers, Satyanarayana Rao and Nageshwara Rao, and one sister, Aswath Balubhai. He was a naughty kid in his childhood and got his education from Acharya Paathshala in Basavanagudi, Bangalore, and Vivekananda Balaka Sangha school.

Rajinikanth met his wife Latha Parthasarathy during an interview when a team of girls came to take his interview. Rajinikanth fell for Latha and proposed to her on the same day. They got married on 26th February 1981 in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The couple is blessed with two daughters, Aishwarya Rajinikanth and Soundarya Rajinikanth. Before he met Latha, Rajinikanth was in a relationship with the actress Silk Smitha.

Career

Before becoming an actor, Rajinikanth did all sorts of odd jobs, including carpentry and coolie work, to earn a livelihood. He even became a bus conductor at Bangalore Transport Service. With the financial aid provided by a friend, Raj Bahadur, Rajinikanth joined the Madras Film Institute. During a stage play at the institute, Rajinikanth caught the eye of director K Balachander, who offered him a role in his Tamil film.

Rajinikanth made his debut in Tamil cinema with Apoorva Raagangal in 1975.