Rajnikanth
Encyclopedia
Rajinikanth is an Indian film actor, media personality
, and cultural icon
. He made his debut as an actor in the National Film Award
-winning motion picture Apoorva Raagangal
(1975), directed by K. Balachander
, whom the actor considers his mentor.
After a brief phase of portraying antagonistic characters in Tamil
films, he gradually rose to become an established film actor. Within a few years of his career, he was claimed to be the superstar
of Tamil cinema
and has since continued to hold a matinee idol
status in the popular culture
of India. His mannerisms and stylised delivery of dialogue in films contribute to his mass popularity and appeal. While working in other regional film industries of India, he also appeared in the cinemas of other nations, including in that of the United States
. After being paid 26 crore
(US$5.9 million) for his role in Sivaji (2007), he became the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan
. Other than acting, Rajinikanth also worked as a producer and screenwriter.
He was bestowed the Padma Bhushan
, India's third highest civilian honour, in the year 2000 for his contribution to Indian cinema
. He was named one of the most influential persons in South Asia by Asiaweek
. He was also named by Forbes India
as the most influential Indian of the year 2010.
family, to mother Jijabai and father Ramoji Rao Gaekwad, on 12 December 1950 in the Indian city of Bangalore
in Mysore State
, present-day Karnataka
. He was the youngest of four siblings and has two brothers and a sister. After the death of his mother at his age of 5, he struggled with an impoverished lifestyle during his childhood. During that time, he often did odd jobs as a coolie
in his community. He attended the Government Model Primary School at Gavipuram, Bangalore where he had his elementary education in Kannada.
Between 1966 and 1973 he worked in many places in Chennai
and Bangalore
. He performed various jobs before joining the then Bangalore Transport Service
(BTS) as a bus conductor in Bangalore. He began to take part in stage plays after Kannada
playwright and director Topi Muniappa offered him a chance to act in mythological moral plays, out of which the most notable role performed by him was that of the villainous Duryodhana
. In 1973, his friend and co-worker Raj Bahadur motivated him to join the Madras Film Institute and also financially supported him for two years during his studies. His performance in a stage play eventually caught the eye of film director K. Balachander
. The director advised him to learn to speak Tamil
, a recommendation that Rajinikanth quickly followed and which proved to be extremely useful in his career.
. Starring Kamal Haasan
, the film was directed by K. Balachander
, who gave Rajinikanth a relatively small role as an abusive husband of Srividya
. The film went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
at the following year's ceremony. His second film, a Kannada
film, Katha Sangama
, was directed by Puttanna Kanagal
and released in 1976. His next film Anthuleni Katha
, a Telugu
film directed by K. Balachander which was a remake of his own Tamil
film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974), had Rajinikanth playing a more pivotal role. In the following years, he continued to perform a variety of negative roles: a sadistic husband of Sujatha
in Avargal
, a womaniser in Moondru Mudichu
, and a lust-filled village rowdy in P. Bharathiraja's 16 Vayadhinile. In 1977, he accepted his first-ever lead role in the Telugu
film Chilakamma Cheppindi. Though Rajinikanth always refers to K. Balachander as his mentor, it was S. P. Muthuraman who revamped his image. Muthuraman first experimented with him in a positive role in Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri (1977), as a failed lover in the first half of the film and a protagonist in the second half. The duo went on to work in 25 films till the 1990s.
was the first Tamil film to cast him as a main hero. Later, Mullum Malarum
won him critical acclaim. The success of Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri prompted Muthuraman to make a mushy melodrama with Rajinikanth as a hero sacrificing everything for his siblings in Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai
(1979). Following this, he made his Malayalam film-debut through Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum
. In the same year, he acted in Dharma Yuddam
, in which he played a mentally ill person taking revenge for his parents' death. He also shared the screen with N. T. Rama Rao
in his 50th film Tiger
. Some of the popular films that also released during this period are the youthful entertainer Ninaithale Inikkum, Priya
, and the Telugu film Amma Evarikkaina Amma
.
By the end of 1970s, he became a popular actor in the South Indian cinema. During this phase of his career, Rajinikanth abruptly chose to quit acting, but was coaxed back. He made a comeback with the Tamil film Billa
, which was a remake of the Bollywood film Don
(1978). It had Rajinikanth playing dual roles and eventually became his first ever commercial success. His pairing with Sridevi continued in Johnny
where he was once again cast in a double role. In 1981, he appeared in Garjanai
which was shot simultaneuosly in Kannada and Malayalam, making it his last film in those two languages till date. He also starred in Murattu Kaalai which was a commercial success. In K. Balachander’s first home production, Netrikan, he performed dual roles as a womanising father and a responsible son. He acted in Thillu Mullu
directed by K. Balachander
, which was Rajinikanth's first full-length comedy. He agreed to it solely due to the strong suggestion by his mentor that he should do non-commercial roles, to break the stereotyped action-hero mould by which he was getting famous at the time. In 1982, he starred in Pokkiri Raja and Thanikattu Raja
. Moondru Mugam
had Rajinikanth playing three roles for the first time.
In 1983, he starred in his first Bollywood
film, Andha Kanoon
, alongside Amitabh Bachchan
and Hema Malini
. The film went on to become one of the highest grossing films of that time. His 1984 film, Naan Mahaan Alla, was directed by Muthuraman and produced by K. Balachander. He acted in his first cameo role in the film Anbulla Rajinikanth
. He played a triple role in John Jani Janardhan
. His performance in Nallavanuku Nallavan
earned him a Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. In his 100th movie, Sri Raghavendra
(1985), he played the Hindu saint Raghavendra Swami
.
In the second half of the 1980's, Rajinikanth continued his presence in Tamil cinema with films like Naan Sigappu Manithan
(1985), Padikkathavan (1985), Mr. Bharath
(1986), Velaikaran
(1987), Guru Sishyan (1988) and Dharmathin Thalaivan
(1988). In 1988, he made his only English film appearance in Bloodstone
, directed by Dwight Little. Rajinikanth finished the decade with films including Rajadhi Raja, Siva
, Raja Chinna Roja
, Mappillai and Athisaya Piravi
, while also starring in a few Bollywood productions. Raja Chinna Roja
was the first Indian film to use animated characters with actors.
(1990). His stint with Bollywood continued since the past decade as he went on to star in more Hindi films. Hum released in 1991 saw him doing the second main lead with Amitabh Bachchan
became an inspiration for Badsha. In 1991, he worked with Mani Ratnam
in Thalapathi
, which was heavily inspired from the Hindu epic, Mahabharata
. Also starring Mammooty, the film dealt with the friendship between two characters based on Karna
and Duryodhana
, respectively, and was set in a more contemporary milieu and was both critically acclaimed and successful upon release. He went on to appear in remakes of films from other languages, mostly from Hindi and Telugu. Annamalai
, which released in 1992, was yet another friendship eccentric film and was loosely based on the 1987 Bollywood film Khudgarz
. Mannan
, directed by P. Vasu
, also became a box-office success. Rajinikanth wrote his first screenplay for the film Valli
(1993), in which he also made a special appearance. His romantic-comedy Veera (1994) was controversial for its climax but went on to become one of the highest grossing films in 1994. He joined hands with Suresh Krishna for Badsha (1995), which emerged as an industry record and is routinely touted by fans and critics alike as a major-hit, as the film elevated him from being just another very popular actor to nearly a demigod status among the masses. He made a cameo in Peddarayudu
for his friend Mohan Babu
and also helped him in obtaining the remake rights. The same year, he acted in yet another gangster film, Aatank Hi Aatank
with Aamir Khan
which was also his last Hindi film in a major role till date. His film Muthu was another commercial success, directed by K. S. Ravikumar
and produced by K. Balachander
, and became the first Tamil film to be dubbed into Japanese, as Mutu: Odoru Maharaja. The film grossed a record $1.6 million in Japan in 1998 and was responsible for creating a large Japanese fan-base for Rajinikanth, which was unique among international film stars outside of the United States. Muthus success in Japan led American news magazine Newsweek
to comment in a 1999 article that Rajinikanth had "supplanted Leonardo DiCaprio
as Japan's trendiest heartthrob". He also entered Bengali cinema through Bhagya Debata
, which released at the end of 1995.
He performed dual roles in Arunachalam
which was released in 1997. He shared his income from the film with eight other people from the film industry as profit shares. It was also during this time that he started taking active participation in politics as his films began to take on a whole new dimension in terms of expectations, hype and revenue. His political clout also steadily rose with the cinematic tide, a trend which actually began with the release of Annamalai in 1992 and arguably climaxed during the time of Padayappa
s release in 1999. Being his 150th film, Padayappa, directed by Ravikumar, turned out to be the largest blockbuster in his career at that time. The following two years, he was less active and only committed to making a guest appearance in the Bollywood
film Bulandi
(2000).
in 2002, for which he had also written the screenplay. Released with much fanfare and hype at the time, the film featured a story revolving around the reforming of a gangster, who is revealed to be the reincarnation of the Hindu saint Mahavatar Babaji
, and fights against political corruption. It fell short of market expectations and the high bids reportedly translated to heavy losses for the distributors. Rajinikanth himself repaid the losses incurred by the distributors. The film was received with comments such as "the bloom was off the rose" and that "the gold does not glitter any more". Pattali Makkal Katchi
leader S. Ramadoss
condemned him for smoking and posing with beedi
s in the film. He was criticised for spoiling Tamil youth by glorifying smoking and drinking. PMK volunteers attacked theatres which screened the movie Baba and usurped film rolls and burnt it.
Amidst controversies and negative criticism, Rajinikanth kept himself away from acting. Despite this, a few novice directors approached him with scripts, all of which he rejected.
's Chandramukhi
, a horror-comedy film featuring an ensemble cast. The film eventually broke the record of being the longest running Tamil film as of 2007. It was also dubbed in Turkish
and German as Der Geisterjäger and released in those respective nations.
Following Chandramukhis release, it was reported that AVM Productions
were set to produce a film directed by S. Shankar
starring Rajinikanth—the largest collaboration yet for a Tamil
film. The film was Sivaji and released in the summer of 2007, following two years of filming and production. It became the first Tamil film to be charted as one of the top-ten best films of United Kingdom and South Africa box-offices upon release. Rajinikanth received a salary of 26 crores, approximately US $5.3 million at the time, for his role in the film, which made him become the second highest paid actor in all of Asia. During the production of Sivaji, Soundarya Rajinikanth
announced her intention of producing a computer-generated imagery film starring an animated version of her father. As of 2011, the film is still under production.
He worked with P. Vasu
again for Kuselan
, a remake of the Malayalam film Kadha Parayumbol, in which Rajinikanth played an extended cameo role as himself, a star in the Indian film industry, and as a best friend to the main character. According to Rajinikanth, the film somewhat narrated his early life. It, however, performed poorly at box offices and led to many distributors incurring major losses. Rajinikanth also stated that he would work with Pyramid Saimira
again in order to compensate for Kuselan.
Rajinikanth worked again with S. Shankar
for the science fiction film, Enthiran. The film was released worldwide in 2010 as the most expensive Indian film ever made, ultimately becoming the highest-grossing film in India of its time. Rajinikanth was paid a remuneration of 45 crore
s for the film.
, a period film to be produced by Soundarya Rajinikanth
and directed by K. S. Ravikumar
, who will work with Rajinikanth for the third time.
Rajinikanth attended the principal photography
of Rana on 29 April 2011 where he suffered a mild foodborne illness
that caused emesis, resulting in subsequent dehydration and exhaustion. He was treated at St. Isabel's Hospital for a day before being discharged. On 4 May 2011, five days after his last hospital visit, he was rushed to the same hospital again after complaining of breathlessness and fever. He was diagnosed with bronchitis
and was kept at the hospital for a week, while spending a few days under an intensive care unit
. Several conflicting reports of discharge dates had arised, as well as claims of Rajinikanth's health deteriorating, which were continuously denied by Latha Rajinikanth
. By this time, CNN-IBN reported that "Rajinikanth dead" was one of the top trends on Twitter and most searched term on Google
in India. Two days after his last discharge, Rajinikanth was admitted to the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre
on 16 May 2011 for recurring respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. The hospital, however, continued to maintain that Rajinikanth was in a stable condition and showed positive response to treatment. On 19 May 2011, he was shifted to the intensive care unit after showing initial signs of renal failure
and was undergoing temporary dialysis
. It was widely reported that he required a kidney transplantation
, which was later denied by Dhanush
. On 21 May 2011, Aishwarya Rajinikanth released a photo of her and Rajinikanth, both posing with a thumbs signal in his hospital ward, responding to fans' negative reaction to news reports. The hospital restricted unauthorised visitors and Latha requested media and the public to not crowd outside the hospital in order to allow Rajinikanth to rest. Rajinikanth's brother, Sathyanarayana Rao Gaikwad, reported that the cause of the sudden illness was due to stress from rapid weight-loss and changes in diet, as well as withdrawal of alcohol consumption
and smoking cessation
. After addressing fans in a 4-minute digitally recorded
voice message
to the media, Rajinikanth, under the advice of Amitabh Bachchan
, travelled from Chennai to Singapore
with his family on 21 May 2011, where he was to undergo further treatment for nephropathy
at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital
. After spending over two weeks at the hospital, he was finally discharged on 15 June 2011 and continued to stay in Singapore for vacation, before returning to Chennai on 13 July 2011.
Despite several failed attempts to restart Rana, Rajinikanth appeared in the Bollywood science-fiction film Ra.One
(2011) in a cameo appearance alongside Shahrukh Khan
and Kareena Kapoor
. In November 2011, Soundarya announced yet another film with Rajinikanth in the lead. The film was announced as Kochadaiyan, a 3D film to feature screenplay and story by Ravikumar and also to be produced by Eros Entertainment. This resulted in Rana being shelved until the completion of Kochadaiyaan and Dheera, which was announced in 2007, to continue being in a development hell
.
and Nayanthara, were recognised because of their association with Rajinikanth, giving other aspiring actors the urge to work with him. Some fellow actors, such as Cho Ramaswamy, have commentated that Rajinikanth has the potential to be successful in Indian politics due to his popularity and fan base alone.
During a visit to Japan in 2006, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
acknowledged the success of Muthu in the country during a speech, justifying the positive relationship between the two nations. Chandramukhi is notable for being the longest-running Tamil film in India, playing for a total of over 800 days. Sivaji was instrumental in making one of the largest releases for an Indian film in the world; the film entered the list of top ten films of the United Kingdom upon release. Chandramukhi and Sivaji were also released in South Africa, where they eventually became high box-office grossers. In December 2010, it was reported that students of the post-graduate management program at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
would use Enthiran as a case study to analyse the business of cinema and its success story, as part of an elective course called Contemporary Film Industry: A Business Perspective. The course would also study Muthu. "Rajinikanth facts" or "Rajinikanth jokes" are satirical factoids about Rajinikanth. They are widely circulated in text messages and over the internet. Many Rajinikanth jokes are said to be inspired by Chuck Norris facts
. Rajinikanth jokes usually surface before the expected release of one of his movies. These satirical jokes have also inspired an iPad
application. A clip from his 1990 Tamil film Athisaya Piravi
, featuring himself and fellow actor Thavakalai, became a hugely popular viral video
titled "Little Superstar
" on YouTube in 2006.
, on 26 February 1981, at the age of 31 in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. They have two daughters named Aishwarya Rajinikanth and Soundarya Rajinikanth
. His wife, Latha Rajinikanth, currently runs a school named The Ashram. His elder daughter, Aishwarya, married actor Dhanush
on 18 November 2004 and they have two sons named Yathra and Linga. His younger daughter, Soundarya
, works in the film industry as a director, producer and graphic designer
. She married industrialist Ashwin Ramkumar on 3 September 2010.
, spiritualism
, and a strong believer of spirituality
. As a reader, he also enjoys books on such topics. He is also a practitioner of yoga
and meditation. Rajinikanth is known for visiting temples prior to the release of each of his films; for instance he visited the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
before the release of Sivaji in 2007 and visited Sathya Sai Baba
at Prasanthi Nilayam in Andhra Pradesh before the release of Kuselan
the following year. He also occasionally leaves for pilgrimage to the Himalayas
. He has often referred to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Satchidananda
, Ragavendra Swami, Mahavatar Babaji
, and Ramana Maharishi as his favourite spiritual leaders.
after meeting Prime Minister Narasimha Rao
. An opinion poll conducted by the magazine Kumudam
predicted that Congress with Rajinikanth's support might win up to 130 seats in Tamil Nadu
Assembly. In 1996, when the Congress Party decided to align with All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
(AIADMK), Rajinikanth supported Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
(DMK)-Tamil Maanila Congress
(TMC) alliance. The TMC used a bicycle as their election symbol and used an image of Rajinikanth riding a bicycle from the film Annamalai in their posters. Rajinikanth said, "Even God cannot save Tamil Nadu if AIADMK returns to power." Rajinikanth wholeheartedly supported the DMK and TMC alliance and asked the people of Tamil Nadu and his fans to vote for that alliance. This alliance had a complete victory in 1996. In 1996, Rajinikanth supported the DMK-TMC alliance in parliamentary elections.
In 2002, Rajinikanth undertook a daylong fast to protest the Government of Karnataka
's decision to not release Kaveri River water into Tamil Nadu
and announced that he would contribute 10 million toward a plan to interlink the Indian rivers. He met with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
and many experts to canvass support for the project. However, most other members of the Tamil film industry, including members of the South Indian Film Artistes' Association
(SIFAA), organised their own solidarity protest. Film director Bharathi Raja stated that Rajinikanth was on the verge of dividing the film industry and called him "traitor who had a tacit understanding with the Karnataka government".
During the 2008 hunger strike organised by SIFAA during the Hogenakkal water dispute
, he reprimanded politicians in Karnataka
. Further, he appealed to leaders not to inflame the water project issue for political gains and requested that the issue should be resolved soon. He urged the Karnataka politicians "to speak the truth". "They cannot be fooled and will not remain silent if you continue to act in such manner," he stated. Vatal Nagaraj, a Kannada activist and leader of the Kannada Chaluvali Paksha, demanded an apology from Rajinikanth and threatened that he would not be allowed in the state of Karnataka and all his films would be boycotted for Rajinikanth's speech against Kannada politicians. Following the release of Kuselan
in Karnataka, Rajinikanth publicly thanked the Kannada film industry
for allowing the release of the film and lifting the ban, which was imposed following his speech at the hunger strike. Actors Sathyaraj
, Radha Ravi
, and R. Sarathkumar condemned the apology as a "disgrace to Tamils".
Local fan associations of Rajinikanth in Tamil Nadu
continuously speculated his entry in politics. In this regard, a few fans in Coimbatore
began a political party in 2008 for Rajinikanth, in an attempt to pressure his entry. The party was named the Desiya Dravadar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (DDMMK), introducing its own flag and symbol for the party. After learning about this, Rajinikanth wrote an open letter to the media and declared that he had no connection with these events and warned fans not to indulge in such activities and that he would take legal action if they failed to adhere. He also mentioned that he was not interested in politics and thus, was only committed to working in films. He added that nobody can force him to enter politics, just as no one can stop him from entering it.
In 2008, Rajinikanth also took part in the SIFAA-organized one-day hunger strike with other Tamil film personalities, demanding the government of Sri Lanka
to stop the civil war
and to provide Sri Lankan Tamils their rights and traditional land in the island nation. The hunger strike was responsible for sparking a series of protests in different parts of the world
for the same cause. In 2010, Rajinikanth supported actor Ajith Kumar
, who spoke against the forceful inclusion of Tamil cinema personae in political affairs, which broke into a controversy.
. Later he received Filmfare Award nominations for his performances in Sivaji (2007) and Enthiran (2010). Rajinikanth also received Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
in the Best Actor
category for his roles in Muthu (1995), Padayappa
(1999), Chandramukhi
(2005), and Sivaji (2007). He also received numerous awards from Cinema Express
and Filmfans' Association for his on-screen performances and off-screen contributions in writing and producing.
Rajinikanth received the Kalaimamani
award in 1984 and the M. G. R. Award in 1989, both from the Government of Tamil Nadu
. In 1995, the South Indian Film Artistes' Association
presented him with the Kalaichelvam Award. He was named and honoured with the Padma Bhushan
award, India's third highest civilian honour, in 2000 from the Government of India
. He was selected as the Indian Entertainer of the Year for 2007 by NDTV
, competing against the likes of Shahrukh Khan
. The Government of Maharashtra honoured him with the Raj Kapoor Award the same year. He received the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema
at the 2010 ceremony
of the Vijay Awards
.
Rajinikanth was also named one of the most influential persons in South Asia by Asiaweek
. He was also named by Forbes India
as the most influential Indian of the year 2010.
Rajinikanth was awarded the Entertainer of the Decade Award by NDTV
in 2011 by Indian Home Minister of Affairs P. Chidambaram
.
! colspan="3" style="background: #DAA520;" | Filmfare Awards South
|-
|-
Celebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
, and cultural icon
Cultural icon
A cultural icon can be a symbol, logo, picture, name, face, person, building or other image that is readily recognized and generally represents an object or concept with great cultural significance to a wide cultural group...
. He made his debut as an actor in the National Film Award
National Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
-winning motion picture Apoorva Raagangal
Apoorva Raagangal
Apoorva Raagangal is a 1975 Tamil film directed by K. Balachander. This film was controversial upon release as it examines relationships between people with wide age gaps, which challenged Indian social mores. The film went on to win the National Film Awards in 1976...
(1975), directed by K. Balachander
K. Balachander
K. Balachander is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or...
, whom the actor considers his mentor.
After a brief phase of portraying antagonistic characters in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
films, he gradually rose to become an established film actor. Within a few years of his career, he was claimed to be the superstar
Superstar
A superstar is a widely acclaimed celebrity.Superstar or superstars may also refer to:-People:* Warhol Superstar, associates of Andy Warhol* WWE Superstar, the term used to refer to entertainers from the WWE...
of Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
and has since continued to hold a matinee idol
Matinee idol
Matinée idol is a term used mainly to describe film or theatre stars who are adored to the point of adulation by their fans.The term almost exclusively refers to male actors. Invariably the adulation was fixated on the actor's looks rather than performance...
status in the popular culture
Popular culture
Popular culture is the totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images and other phenomena that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the...
of India. His mannerisms and stylised delivery of dialogue in films contribute to his mass popularity and appeal. While working in other regional film industries of India, he also appeared in the cinemas of other nations, including in that of the United States
Cinema of the United States
The cinema of the United States, also known as Hollywood, has had a profound effect on cinema across the world since the early 20th century. Its history is sometimes separated into four main periods: the silent film era, classical Hollywood cinema, New Hollywood, and the contemporary period...
. After being paid 26 crore
Crore
A crore is a unit in the Indian number system equal to ten million , or 100 lakhs. It is widely used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan....
(US$5.9 million) for his role in Sivaji (2007), he became the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
. Other than acting, Rajinikanth also worked as a producer and screenwriter.
He was bestowed the Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
, India's third highest civilian honour, in the year 2000 for his contribution to Indian cinema
Cinema of India
The cinema of India consists of films produced across India, which includes the cinematic culture of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Indian films came to be followed throughout South Asia and...
. He was named one of the most influential persons in South Asia by Asiaweek
Asiaweek
Asiaweek, the English edition, was a news magazine focusing on Asia, published weekly by Asiaweek Limited, a subsidiary of Time Inc. Based in Hong Kong, it was established in 1975, and ceased publication with its December 7, 2001 issue due to a "downturn in the advertising market," according to...
. He was also named by Forbes India
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
as the most influential Indian of the year 2010.
Early life
Rajinikanth was born as Shivaji Rao Gaikwad in a MaharashtrianMarathi people
The Marathi people or Maharashtrians are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, that inhabit the Maharashtra region and state of western India. Their language Marathi is part of the southern group of Indo-Aryan languages...
family, to mother Jijabai and father Ramoji Rao Gaekwad, on 12 December 1950 in the Indian city of Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
in Mysore State
Mysore State
The Kingdom of Mysore was one of the three largest princely states within the erstwhile British Empire of India. Upon India gaining its independence in 1947, the Maharaja of Mysore merged his realm with the Union of India...
, present-day Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
. He was the youngest of four siblings and has two brothers and a sister. After the death of his mother at his age of 5, he struggled with an impoverished lifestyle during his childhood. During that time, he often did odd jobs as a coolie
Coolie
Historically, a coolie was a manual labourer or slave from Asia, particularly China, India, and the Phillipines during the 19th century and early 20th century...
in his community. He attended the Government Model Primary School at Gavipuram, Bangalore where he had his elementary education in Kannada.
Between 1966 and 1973 he worked in many places in Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
and Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
. He performed various jobs before joining the then Bangalore Transport Service
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation is a government agency that operates the public transport bus service in Bangalore, India.-History:...
(BTS) as a bus conductor in Bangalore. He began to take part in stage plays after Kannada
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
playwright and director Topi Muniappa offered him a chance to act in mythological moral plays, out of which the most notable role performed by him was that of the villainous Duryodhana
Duryodhana
In the Hindu epic the Mahābhārata, Duryodhana is the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers, Emperor of the world at that time which means Emperor of India or Bharatvarsha as it was known at that time, cousin and the chief...
. In 1973, his friend and co-worker Raj Bahadur motivated him to join the Madras Film Institute and also financially supported him for two years during his studies. His performance in a stage play eventually caught the eye of film director K. Balachander
K. Balachander
K. Balachander is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or...
. The director advised him to learn to speak Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
, a recommendation that Rajinikanth quickly followed and which proved to be extremely useful in his career.
Career beginnings: 1975–77
In 1975, Rajinikanth began his career in cinema through the Tamil movie Apoorva RaagangalApoorva Raagangal
Apoorva Raagangal is a 1975 Tamil film directed by K. Balachander. This film was controversial upon release as it examines relationships between people with wide age gaps, which challenged Indian social mores. The film went on to win the National Film Awards in 1976...
. Starring Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
, the film was directed by K. Balachander
K. Balachander
K. Balachander is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or...
, who gave Rajinikanth a relatively small role as an abusive husband of Srividya
Srividya
Srividya was a leading Indian film actress of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s in the Tamil film Industry, in addition to being a good singer. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. Her brilliant portrayals as a mother in many films were highly acclaimed....
. The film went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
The following lists the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. The year in the header refers to the date when the film was censored and submitted for the awards, without of regard of when the award was presented. Apart from the Silver Lotus Award "Certificate of Merit" was also given...
at the following year's ceremony. His second film, a Kannada
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
film, Katha Sangama
Katha Sangama
Katha Sangama is an Indian portmanteau Kannada film is directed by Puttanna Kanagal.The movie is the collection of 3 small stories.It starred Kalyan Kumar, Rajinikanth, Saroja Devi and Arathi.-Hangu:...
, was directed by Puttanna Kanagal
Puttanna Kanagal
Puttanna Kanagal was one of the most prominent Kannada film directors of the 1960s and the 70s. Although the majority of his films were on offbeat or taboo subjects, he endeared himself to both the critics and ordinary film goers alike. He also directed a handful Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and...
and released in 1976. His next film Anthuleni Katha
Anthuleni Katha
Anthuleni Katha is a 1976 Telugu film directed by K. Balachander. The film is a remake of the 1974 Tamil film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai. This is Jayaprada's first starring role and is considered to be one of her best films. This was also Rajnikanth's first major role. Kamal Hassan played an extended...
, a Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
film directed by K. Balachander which was a remake of his own Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974), had Rajinikanth playing a more pivotal role. In the following years, he continued to perform a variety of negative roles: a sadistic husband of Sujatha
Sujatha (actress)
Sujatha was a popular South Indian actress who has performed in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi language films, and was best known for restraint and subtlety in portrayal of varied emotions. Sujatha was introduced to the Tamil film industry by veteran director K. Balachander as a...
in Avargal
Avargal
Avargal is a 1977 Tamil film made by K. Balachander starring Sujatha, Kamal Hassan and Rajinikanth. The film had a reputation of being one of most sensitive movies on women’s lib. The same director later remade it into the Telugu film Idi Katha Kaadu with Kamal Hassan repeating his role...
, a womaniser in Moondru Mudichu
Moondru Mudichu
Moondru Mudichu is a Tamil film that was directed by K. Balachander. The movie stars Kamal Hassan, Rajnikanth and Sridevi. It is hailed as the movie that made Rajnikanth a big "villain" star. The movie revolves around 3 people - a college going girl and 2 men who fall in love with her...
, and a lust-filled village rowdy in P. Bharathiraja's 16 Vayadhinile. In 1977, he accepted his first-ever lead role in the Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
film Chilakamma Cheppindi. Though Rajinikanth always refers to K. Balachander as his mentor, it was S. P. Muthuraman who revamped his image. Muthuraman first experimented with him in a positive role in Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri (1977), as a failed lover in the first half of the film and a protagonist in the second half. The duo went on to work in 25 films till the 1990s.
Breakthrough: 1978–89
The 1978 film BairaviBairavi
Bairavi is a 1987 Tamil film directed by M. Bhaskar. It was Rajinikanth's first movie as a hero in Tamil cinema. He was also given the "Superstar" title through this film by producer Kalaipuli S. Dhanu. The film stars Sripriya as the female lead and Geetha playing the title role as Rajini's sister...
was the first Tamil film to cast him as a main hero. Later, Mullum Malarum
Mullum Malarum
Mullum Malarum is a Tamil film directed by J. Mahendran. Starring Rajinikanth and Shoba in the lead, the film was filmed by Balu Mahendra and featured music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The screenplay for the movie is based on a novel with the same name Mullum Malarum authored by Umachandran...
won him critical acclaim. The success of Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri prompted Muthuraman to make a mushy melodrama with Rajinikanth as a hero sacrificing everything for his siblings in Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai
Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai
Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai is a 1979 Tamil film directed by SP. Muthuraman, starring Rajinikanth. It was produced by Meena. The cast also included Thilak, Cho, Thangai Seenivasan, T.K.Bakavathi, Jayalakshmi, Sangeetha, Jaya and Mallika.The music was composed by Ilayaraja. The songs were sung by...
(1979). Following this, he made his Malayalam film-debut through Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum
Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum
Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum is a 1979 Malayalam film directed by I. V. Sasi. It stars Kamal Hassan as Allauddin and Rajinikanth as Kamaruddin. The film is based on Alladin's story from the Arabian Nights. It was simultaneously made in Tamil as Allaudinaum Arputha Vilakkum and released on June 8,...
. In the same year, he acted in Dharma Yuddam
Dharma Yuddam
Dharma Yuddam is a 1979 Tamil film directed by R. C. Sakthi, a close associate of Kamal Hassan.-Plot:Rajini's parents are killed by Thengai Seenivasan. He is adopted and brought up by a rich man. After many years Rajini finds out that Thengai Seenivasan has been stealing body parts, especially eyes...
, in which he played a mentally ill person taking revenge for his parents' death. He also shared the screen with N. T. Rama Rao
N. T. Rama Rao
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao , also known as NTR and fondly referred to as Anna Garu, was an Indian film actor, director, producer, and a politician...
in his 50th film Tiger
Tiger (film)
Tiger is a Telugu film is directed N. Ramesh. It was the first time N. T. Rama Rao and Rajinikanth starred together. It was also Rajini's 50th film in his career.-Plot:...
. Some of the popular films that also released during this period are the youthful entertainer Ninaithale Inikkum, Priya
Priya (film)
Priya is a 1978 Tamil film directed by SP. Muthuraman, starring Rajnikanth, Sridevi and Ambarish. The story is an adaptation from writer Sujatha's Ganesh - Vasanth novels. It was shot mostly in Singapore. It was shot simultaneously and released in Kannada as well.-Plot:Priya is a movie star, who...
, and the Telugu film Amma Evarikkaina Amma
Amma Evarikkaina Amma
Amma Evarikkaina Amma is a 1979 Telugu film is directed by R. Thyagarajan. It starrs Rajinikanth and Sripriya. It is a remake of his Tamil film, "Annai Oru Aalayam"'....
.
By the end of 1970s, he became a popular actor in the South Indian cinema. During this phase of his career, Rajinikanth abruptly chose to quit acting, but was coaxed back. He made a comeback with the Tamil film Billa
Billa (1980 film)
Billa is a 1980 Tamil film produced by K.Balaji and directed by R.Krishnamurthy. The film stars Rajinikanth, Suresh Balaje, Thengai Srinivasan, Manorama, Sripriya, Reena Roy and Major Sundarrajan...
, which was a remake of the Bollywood film Don
Don (1978 film)
Don is a 1978 Indian action film, produced by Nariman Irani and directed by Chandra Barot, with music by Kalyanji Anandji and lyrics by Anjaan. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, Pran, Iftekhar, Helen and Om Shivpuri, Satyen Kappu and Pinchoo Kapoor. It was the third-highest grossing...
(1978). It had Rajinikanth playing dual roles and eventually became his first ever commercial success. His pairing with Sridevi continued in Johnny
Johnny (1980 film)
Johnny is a Tamil film directed by Mahendran.Johnny is one of the finest movies of Mahendran. It had Rajinikant, Sridevi and Deepa in the main roles with Rajinikanth in dual role. Ilayaraja's music is a major highlight of the film...
where he was once again cast in a double role. In 1981, he appeared in Garjanai
Garjanai
Garjanai is a 1981 Tamil film is directed by C. V. Rajendran. It has Madhavi as Rajini's love interest and Geetha as his sister. Music was scored by Ilaiyaraaja. The film was first made in Malayalam, with superstar Jayan...
which was shot simultaneuosly in Kannada and Malayalam, making it his last film in those two languages till date. He also starred in Murattu Kaalai which was a commercial success. In K. Balachander’s first home production, Netrikan, he performed dual roles as a womanising father and a responsible son. He acted in Thillu Mullu
Thillu Mullu
Thillu Mullu is a 1981 Tamil movie starring Rajinikanth, Madhavi, 'Thengai' Srinivasan, Nagesh, Sowkar Janaki and music composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The film is directed by noted filmmaker, K. Balachander.The film is actually a remake of the Hindi Blockbuster comedy film Gol Maal released in 1979...
directed by K. Balachander
K. Balachander
K. Balachander is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or...
, which was Rajinikanth's first full-length comedy. He agreed to it solely due to the strong suggestion by his mentor that he should do non-commercial roles, to break the stereotyped action-hero mould by which he was getting famous at the time. In 1982, he starred in Pokkiri Raja and Thanikattu Raja
Thanikattu Raja
Thanikattu Raja is a Tamil film directed by V.C.Gohanathan.This movie is starring Rajnikanth, Sridevi and Sripriya. The fim has Sridevi as Rajini's girlfriend and at somepoint of time he gets married to Sripriya....
. Moondru Mugam
Moondru Mugam
Moondru Mugam is Tamil feature film starring Rajinikanth doing a triple role.-Plot:Arun comes back from America after 10 years as a saint. His father does not want his son to be like that so he gets press reporter to change him back to a normal person like everyone else...
had Rajinikanth playing three roles for the first time.
In 1983, he starred in his first Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
film, Andha Kanoon
Andha Kanoon
Andha Kanoon is a 1983 Bollywood film directed by T. Rama Rao, starring Rajnikant, Hema Malini, and Reena Roy. Amitabh Bachchan has a special extended guest appearance....
, alongside Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
and Hema Malini
Hema Malini
Hema Malini is an Indian actress, director and producer, as well as a Bharatanatyam dancer-choreographer. Making her acting debut in Sapno Ka Saudagar , she went on to appear in numerous Bollywood films, most notably those with actor and future-husband Dharmendra. She was initially promoted as...
. The film went on to become one of the highest grossing films of that time. His 1984 film, Naan Mahaan Alla, was directed by Muthuraman and produced by K. Balachander. He acted in his first cameo role in the film Anbulla Rajinikanth
Anbulla Rajinikanth
Anbulla Rajinikanth is a 1984 Tamil film directed by K.Natraj. The film stars Rajinikanth, Meena, and Ambika with Jaishankar, Raadhika and Bhagyaraj in guest roles.-Plot:...
. He played a triple role in John Jani Janardhan
John Jani Janardhan
John Jani Janardhan is a Hindi film is directed by T.Rama Rao. South Indian Superstar Rajnikanth played the main lead in a triple role. John being the father and johnny and janardhan being the two sons. It is a remake of the 1982 Tamil film Moondru Mugam which starred Rajinikanth and...
. His performance in Nallavanuku Nallavan
Nallavanuku Nallavan
Nallavanuku Nallavan is a Tamil film, directed by SP. Muthuraman. The film is a remake of the 1982 Superhit Kannada film Jeevana Chakra that starred Vishnuvardhan and Raadhika Sarathkumar in main roles....
earned him a Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. In his 100th movie, Sri Raghavendra
Sri Raghavendra
Sri Raghavendra is a 1985 Tamil film is directed by SP. Muthuraman. The film was Rajinikanth's 100th film. He plays the role of the Hindu saint Raghavendra in this movie. It was produced by Kavithalaya Productions.-Plot:...
(1985), he played the Hindu saint Raghavendra Swami
Raghavendra Swami
Raghavendra Theertha was a Hindu saint and philosopher who served as the head of the Sri Mutt in Kumbakonam from 1624 to 1636. He wrote a commentary Sudha Parimala on the Nyaya Sudha, an exposition of Dvaita philosophy...
.
In the second half of the 1980's, Rajinikanth continued his presence in Tamil cinema with films like Naan Sigappu Manithan
Naan Sigappu Manithan
Naan Sigappu Manithan is a Tamil Super hit film directed by S.A.Chandrasekar. The film stars Rajinikanth, Sathyaraj, Bhagyaraj, Ambika in lead roles with music by Ilaiyaraja.-Plot:...
(1985), Padikkathavan (1985), Mr. Bharath
Mr. Bharath
Mr.Bharath is a Tamil film is directed by SP. Muthuraman. The film stars Rajnikant, Sathyaraj, Ambika, Goundamani, S. V. Shekhar and others. The plot is about a son's revenge against his father...
(1986), Velaikaran
Velaikaran
Velaikaran is a Tamil film is directed by SP. Muthuraman, starring Rajinikant, Sarath Babu and Amala. This film is remade from the bollywood film Namak Halaal starred Amitabh Bachchan, Waheeda Rehman, Shashi Kapoor, Smita Patil and Parveen Babi.-Plot:Young Gajapathy is brought up by his...
(1987), Guru Sishyan (1988) and Dharmathin Thalaivan
Dharmathin Thalaivan
Dharmathin Thalaivan is a 1988 Tamil-language Indian feature film directed by SP. Muthuraman, starring Rajnikanth, Prabhu Ganesan, Charlie, Nassar, Captain Raju, Kushboo, Suhasini and Vijayachanddrika. The film is the remake of Amitabh Bachchan-Randhir Kapoor starrer Kasme Vaade.-Soundtrack:The...
(1988). In 1988, he made his only English film appearance in Bloodstone
Bloodstone (1988 film)
Bloodstone is a 1988 American mystery-adventure film produced by Ashok Amritraj and Sunanda Murali Manohar, directed by Dwight H. Little and written by Nico Mastorakis; starring Brett Stimely, Rajnikanth and Anna Nicholas...
, directed by Dwight Little. Rajinikanth finished the decade with films including Rajadhi Raja, Siva
Siva (1989 film)
Siva is a 1989 Tamil film directed by Ammerjan. The film was certified as ""A"" in the sensor board. Rajini & Rahuvaran acting was appreciated...
, Raja Chinna Roja
Raja Chinna Roja
Raja Chinna Roja is a 1989 Tamil film directed by SP. Muthuraman. is a based on the 1965 English musical The Sound of Music with a song of the English movie fully remade in Tamil.-Plot:...
, Mappillai and Athisaya Piravi
Athisaya Piravi
Athisaya Piravi is a 1990 Tamil film starring Rajinikanth, Nagesh and Kanaka and music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film was directed by SP. Muthuraman...
, while also starring in a few Bollywood productions. Raja Chinna Roja
Raja Chinna Roja
Raja Chinna Roja is a 1989 Tamil film directed by SP. Muthuraman. is a based on the 1965 English musical The Sound of Music with a song of the English movie fully remade in Tamil.-Plot:...
was the first Indian film to use animated characters with actors.
Commercial stardom: 1990–2001
During this decade, Rajinikanth established himself as a commercial entertainer. Almost all the films released during this period were highly successful at the box office. He began the decade with PanakkaranPanakkaran
Panakkaran is a 1990 Tamil language film starring Rajinikanth and Gouthami.The film is a remake of Lawaaris, a 1981 Bollywood film starring Amitabh Bachchan.-Plot:...
(1990). His stint with Bollywood continued since the past decade as he went on to star in more Hindi films. Hum released in 1991 saw him doing the second main lead with Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
became an inspiration for Badsha. In 1991, he worked with Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. He made his directorial debut with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi starring Anil Kapoor in 1983...
in Thalapathi
Thalapathi
Thalapathi is a 1991 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Mani Ratnam, and produced by G. Venkateswaran under the banner of G. V. Films. The film stars Rajnikanth, Mammootty and Shobana in the lead roles with Arvind Swamy, Srividya, Amrish Puri, Bhanupriya, Nagesh, and Charuhasan essaying...
, which was heavily inspired from the Hindu epic, Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
. Also starring Mammooty, the film dealt with the friendship between two characters based on Karna
Karna
Karna or Radheya is one of the central characters in the epic Mahābhārata, from ancient India. He was the King of Anga...
and Duryodhana
Duryodhana
In the Hindu epic the Mahābhārata, Duryodhana is the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers, Emperor of the world at that time which means Emperor of India or Bharatvarsha as it was known at that time, cousin and the chief...
, respectively, and was set in a more contemporary milieu and was both critically acclaimed and successful upon release. He went on to appear in remakes of films from other languages, mostly from Hindi and Telugu. Annamalai
Annamalai (film)
Annamalai is a 1992 Tamil film directed by Suresh Krishna; starring Rajinikanth, Kushboo and Sarath Babu in the lead roles. It is a remake of Krishnam Raju's movie Prana Snehitulu, which was a remake of Rakesh Roshan's Hindi movie Khudgarz, which was inturn based on Erich Segal's novel Kane and...
, which released in 1992, was yet another friendship eccentric film and was loosely based on the 1987 Bollywood film Khudgarz
Khudgarz
Khudgarz is a 1987 Bollywood film starring Jeetendra, Shatrughan Sinha, Bhanupriya and Govinda. The film marks the directorial debut of actor Rakesh Roshan. The movie was based on Erich Segal's novel Kane and Abel. It was later remade into Tamil as Annamalai with Rajnikanth and Sarath Babu...
. Mannan
Mannan (film)
Mannan is a 1992 Indian Tamil language film starring Rajinikanth, Kushboo, Manorama, Pandari Bai, Goundamani, Vijayashanti and Visu. The film is a remake of the 1986 hit Kannada film Anuraaga Aralidhu starring Rajkumar.-Cast:*Rajinikanth as Krishnan...
, directed by P. Vasu
P. Vasu
P. Vasu is an Indian film director, writer, and actor who works in Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu films and a few Malayalam films as well. In a career spanning three decades, Vasu has directed over 50 films.-Personal life:...
, also became a box-office success. Rajinikanth wrote his first screenplay for the film Valli
Valli (film)
Valli is a Tamil language movie directed by the Tamil Director K. Nataraj. It stars Rajinikanth in a guest role with Suresh and Priyaraman in the lead roles.The film's music was composed by maestro Ilayaraja...
(1993), in which he also made a special appearance. His romantic-comedy Veera (1994) was controversial for its climax but went on to become one of the highest grossing films in 1994. He joined hands with Suresh Krishna for Badsha (1995), which emerged as an industry record and is routinely touted by fans and critics alike as a major-hit, as the film elevated him from being just another very popular actor to nearly a demigod status among the masses. He made a cameo in Peddarayudu
Peddarayudu
Peddarayudu is an action Telugu language movie directed by the Raviraja Pinisetty and Telugu language actor, Mohan Babu acted as hero. The movie had Mohan Babu playing double roles, as brothers. Mohan Babu's friend, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth starred in the project in a guest role towards the...
for his friend Mohan Babu
Mohan babu
Mohan Babu is an actor & producer in Telugu Cinema. He is a former Member of Parliament - Rajya Sabha and Educationist from Andhra Pradesh...
and also helped him in obtaining the remake rights. The same year, he acted in yet another gangster film, Aatank Hi Aatank
Aatank Hi Aatank
Aatank Hi Aatank is a 1995 Bollywood movie. The movie is highly inspired by The Godfather and stars Rajinikanth, Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla and Pooja Bedi in the lead.In 2000, the film was dubbed into Tamil as Aandavan but flopped.-Plot:...
with Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan
Aamir Hussain Khan is an Indian film actor, director and producer who has established himself as one of the leading actors of Hindi cinema....
which was also his last Hindi film in a major role till date. His film Muthu was another commercial success, directed by K. S. Ravikumar
K. S. Ravikumar
K. S. Ravikumar is an Indian film director and actor, primarily working in Tamil cinema. He has directed numerous films ranging from comedy and drama to action thrillers. His film Dasavathaaram went on to gross $16 million worldwide in the first four weeks and eventually became one of the...
and produced by K. Balachander
K. Balachander
K. Balachander is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or...
, and became the first Tamil film to be dubbed into Japanese, as Mutu: Odoru Maharaja. The film grossed a record $1.6 million in Japan in 1998 and was responsible for creating a large Japanese fan-base for Rajinikanth, which was unique among international film stars outside of the United States. Muthus success in Japan led American news magazine Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
to comment in a 1999 article that Rajinikanth had "supplanted Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio is an American actor and film producer. He has received many awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Aviator , and has been nominated by the Academy Awards, Screen Actors Guild and the British Academy of Film and Television...
as Japan's trendiest heartthrob". He also entered Bengali cinema through Bhagya Debata
Bhagya Debata
Bhagya Debata is a 1995 Bengali-language Indian feature film directed by S.Raghuram, the famous South Indian Dance Master, starring Mithun Chakraborty, Soumitra Chatterjee, Mamta Kulkarni, Rituparna Sengupta, Puneet Issar and Rajinikanth-Plot:...
, which released at the end of 1995.
He performed dual roles in Arunachalam
Arunachalam
Arunachalam is a 1997 Tamil language film starring Rajinikanth.-Plot:Rajnikanth finds himself to be an orphan. He travels from his village to Madras. There he meets Janakaraj, who gives him a job. By some magical situation, Rajni discovers himself to be a son of a dead millionaire—through Visu....
which was released in 1997. He shared his income from the film with eight other people from the film industry as profit shares. It was also during this time that he started taking active participation in politics as his films began to take on a whole new dimension in terms of expectations, hype and revenue. His political clout also steadily rose with the cinematic tide, a trend which actually began with the release of Annamalai in 1992 and arguably climaxed during the time of Padayappa
Padayappa
Padayappa is a 1999 Tamil drama film written and directed by K. S. Ravikumar. The film features Rajinikanth, Soundarya and Ramya Krishnan playing lead roles, whilst Sivaji Ganesan, Lakshmi and Nassar play pivotal supporting roles. With soundtrack composed by A. R...
s release in 1999. Being his 150th film, Padayappa, directed by Ravikumar, turned out to be the largest blockbuster in his career at that time. The following two years, he was less active and only committed to making a guest appearance in the Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
film Bulandi
Bulandi (2000 film)
Bulandi is an Anil Kapoor film, a remake of Nattamai.In Bulundi, Anil Kapor portrays the protagonist, with Rekha and Ravina in supporting roles. Shakthi Kapoor plays the role of the villain...
(2000).
Sabbatical after Baba: 2002–04
After a brief gap, Rajinikanth starred in BabaBaba (2002 film)
Baba is a 2002 Tamil fantasy-action film starring and written by Rajinikanth and directed by Suresh Krishna. The film's cast included Manisha Koirala, Vijayakumar, M. N. Nambiar, Goundamani, Sujatha, Karunas, Ashish Vidyarthi, Amrish Puri, Sayaji Shinde and Riyaz Khan...
in 2002, for which he had also written the screenplay. Released with much fanfare and hype at the time, the film featured a story revolving around the reforming of a gangster, who is revealed to be the reincarnation of the Hindu saint Mahavatar Babaji
Mahavatar Babaji
Mahavatar Babaji is the name given to an Indian saint by Lahiri Mahasaya and several of his disciples who met Mahavatar Babaji between 1861 and 1935. Some of these meetings were described by Paramhansa Yogananda in his book Autobiography of a Yogi , including a first hand telling of Yogananda’s own...
, and fights against political corruption. It fell short of market expectations and the high bids reportedly translated to heavy losses for the distributors. Rajinikanth himself repaid the losses incurred by the distributors. The film was received with comments such as "the bloom was off the rose" and that "the gold does not glitter any more". Pattali Makkal Katchi
Pattali Makkal Katchi
Paattali Makkal Katchi is a Tamil political party.-History:PMK was founded by Dr. S. Ramdoss and the state president is G. K. Mani. Ramdoss had earlier worked with the Vanniyar Sangham founded by him in 1980. PMK is based amongst the Most Backward Class Vanniyakula Kshatriyas community...
leader S. Ramadoss
S. Ramadoss
Dr. S. Ramadoss is the founder and president of the Pattali Makkal Katchi Indian political party. Dr Ramadass had earlier worked intensively with the Vanniyar Sangham ....
condemned him for smoking and posing with beedi
Beedi
A beedi is a thin, South Asian cigarette filled with tobacco flake and wrapped in a tendu leaf tied with a string at one end.The word comes from beeda, Marwari for a leaf wrapped in betel nuts, herbs, and condiments....
s in the film. He was criticised for spoiling Tamil youth by glorifying smoking and drinking. PMK volunteers attacked theatres which screened the movie Baba and usurped film rolls and burnt it.
Amidst controversies and negative criticism, Rajinikanth kept himself away from acting. Despite this, a few novice directors approached him with scripts, all of which he rejected.
Resurgence and acclaim: 2005–2010
Rajinikanth signed up for P. VasuP. Vasu
P. Vasu is an Indian film director, writer, and actor who works in Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu films and a few Malayalam films as well. In a career spanning three decades, Vasu has directed over 50 films.-Personal life:...
's Chandramukhi
Chandramukhi
Chandramukhi is a 2005 Indian horror, comedy and drama film directed by P. Vasu and produced by Ramkumar Ganesan. With a few deviations, it is a remake of Vasu's 2004 Kannada film Apthamitra, which was in-turn a remake of the 1993 Malayalam film Manichithrathazhu...
, a horror-comedy film featuring an ensemble cast. The film eventually broke the record of being the longest running Tamil film as of 2007. It was also dubbed in Turkish
Turkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
and German as Der Geisterjäger and released in those respective nations.
Following Chandramukhis release, it was reported that AVM Productions
AVM Productions
AVM is the oldest and largest film production studio in India. It is currently owned by M. Saravanan and his son, M. S. Guhan. The most recent film they have produced since their opening with Nam Iruvar in 1947, is Vettaikkaaran and Leader. The filming studios are located in Vadapalani, Chennai....
were set to produce a film directed by S. Shankar
S. Shankar
Shankar is an Indian film director and producer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He made his directional debut in Gentleman for which he was awarded the Filmfare Best Director Award...
starring Rajinikanth—the largest collaboration yet for a Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
film. The film was Sivaji and released in the summer of 2007, following two years of filming and production. It became the first Tamil film to be charted as one of the top-ten best films of United Kingdom and South Africa box-offices upon release. Rajinikanth received a salary of 26 crores, approximately US $5.3 million at the time, for his role in the film, which made him become the second highest paid actor in all of Asia. During the production of Sivaji, Soundarya Rajinikanth
Soundarya Rajinikanth
Soundarya Rajinikanth Ashwin is a film graphic designer, producer and director in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India who has contributed in several Tamil films. Soundarya Rajinikanth is most popularly known for her work in Anbe Aaruyire...
announced her intention of producing a computer-generated imagery film starring an animated version of her father. As of 2011, the film is still under production.
He worked with P. Vasu
P. Vasu
P. Vasu is an Indian film director, writer, and actor who works in Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu films and a few Malayalam films as well. In a career spanning three decades, Vasu has directed over 50 films.-Personal life:...
again for Kuselan
Kuselan
Kuselan is a 2008 Tamil drama film directed by P. Vasu, which was simultaneously made in Telugu as Kathanayakudu . Both remake of the Malayalam film Kadha Parayumbol, the film is directed by P. Vasu and produced by Pushpa Kandaswamy, Aswani Dutt and G. P. Vijayakumar in two languages...
, a remake of the Malayalam film Kadha Parayumbol, in which Rajinikanth played an extended cameo role as himself, a star in the Indian film industry, and as a best friend to the main character. According to Rajinikanth, the film somewhat narrated his early life. It, however, performed poorly at box offices and led to many distributors incurring major losses. Rajinikanth also stated that he would work with Pyramid Saimira
Pyramid Saimira
Pyramid Saimira, an Indian multinational entertainment company, operating in 6 countries is one of the World’s fastest growing entertainment group...
again in order to compensate for Kuselan.
Rajinikanth worked again with S. Shankar
S. Shankar
Shankar is an Indian film director and producer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He made his directional debut in Gentleman for which he was awarded the Filmfare Best Director Award...
for the science fiction film, Enthiran. The film was released worldwide in 2010 as the most expensive Indian film ever made, ultimately becoming the highest-grossing film in India of its time. Rajinikanth was paid a remuneration of 45 crore
Crore
A crore is a unit in the Indian number system equal to ten million , or 100 lakhs. It is widely used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan....
s for the film.
Health scare and miscellanea: 2011–present
In January 2011, Rajinikanth was signed-up for RanaRana (film)
Rana is an upcoming historical action film co-written and directed by K. S. Ravikumar starring Rajinikanth, whose story the film will be based upon. Deepika Padukone has been signed on as the female lead. The film will be jointly produced by Ocher Picture Productions and Eros International. The...
, a period film to be produced by Soundarya Rajinikanth
Soundarya Rajinikanth
Soundarya Rajinikanth Ashwin is a film graphic designer, producer and director in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India who has contributed in several Tamil films. Soundarya Rajinikanth is most popularly known for her work in Anbe Aaruyire...
and directed by K. S. Ravikumar
K. S. Ravikumar
K. S. Ravikumar is an Indian film director and actor, primarily working in Tamil cinema. He has directed numerous films ranging from comedy and drama to action thrillers. His film Dasavathaaram went on to gross $16 million worldwide in the first four weeks and eventually became one of the...
, who will work with Rajinikanth for the third time.
Rajinikanth attended the principal photography
Principal photography
thumb|300px|Film production on location in [[Newark, New Jersey]].Principal photography is the phase of film production in which the movie is filmed, with actors on set and cameras rolling, as distinct from pre-production and post-production....
of Rana on 29 April 2011 where he suffered a mild foodborne illness
Foodborne illness
Foodborne illness is any illness resulting from the consumption of contaminated food, pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or parasites that contaminate food, as well as chemical or natural toxins such as poisonous mushrooms.-Causes:Foodborne illness usually arises from improper handling, preparation, or...
that caused emesis, resulting in subsequent dehydration and exhaustion. He was treated at St. Isabel's Hospital for a day before being discharged. On 4 May 2011, five days after his last hospital visit, he was rushed to the same hospital again after complaining of breathlessness and fever. He was diagnosed with bronchitis
Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchi in the lungs that is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or weeks. Characteristic symptoms include cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath and wheezing related to the obstruction of the inflamed airways...
and was kept at the hospital for a week, while spending a few days under an intensive care unit
Intensive Care Unit
thumb|220px|ICU roomAn intensive-care unit , critical-care unit , intensive-therapy unit/intensive-treatment unit is a specialized department in a hospital that provides intensive-care medicine...
. Several conflicting reports of discharge dates had arised, as well as claims of Rajinikanth's health deteriorating, which were continuously denied by Latha Rajinikanth
Latha Rajinikanth
Latha Rajinikanth is an Indian philanthropist, film producer, playback singer, and the wife of actor Rajinikanth. She is the founder and correspondent of The Ashram, a Chennai-based school, and is the chairperson of her daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth’s production company, Ocher Studios.-Early life...
. By this time, CNN-IBN reported that "Rajinikanth dead" was one of the top trends on Twitter and most searched term on Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
in India. Two days after his last discharge, Rajinikanth was admitted to the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre
Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute
Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute , now named Sri Ramachandra University , is a deemed university declared under Section 3 of the UGC at 1956, in Porur, Chennai, India...
on 16 May 2011 for recurring respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. The hospital, however, continued to maintain that Rajinikanth was in a stable condition and showed positive response to treatment. On 19 May 2011, he was shifted to the intensive care unit after showing initial signs of renal failure
Renal failure
Renal failure or kidney failure describes a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to adequately filter toxins and waste products from the blood...
and was undergoing temporary dialysis
Dialysis
In medicine, dialysis is a process for removing waste and excess water from the blood, and is primarily used to provide an artificial replacement for lost kidney function in people with renal failure...
. It was widely reported that he required a kidney transplantation
Kidney transplantation
Kidney transplantation or renal transplantation is the organ transplant of a kidney into a patient with end-stage renal disease. Kidney transplantation is typically classified as deceased-donor or living-donor transplantation depending on the source of the donor organ...
, which was later denied by Dhanush
Dhanush
Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja , better known by his stage name Dhanush , is an Indian film actor, occasional playback singer and lyricist, working in the Tamil film industry...
. On 21 May 2011, Aishwarya Rajinikanth released a photo of her and Rajinikanth, both posing with a thumbs signal in his hospital ward, responding to fans' negative reaction to news reports. The hospital restricted unauthorised visitors and Latha requested media and the public to not crowd outside the hospital in order to allow Rajinikanth to rest. Rajinikanth's brother, Sathyanarayana Rao Gaikwad, reported that the cause of the sudden illness was due to stress from rapid weight-loss and changes in diet, as well as withdrawal of alcohol consumption
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
-Protracted withdrawal:A protracted alcohol withdrawal syndrome occurs in many alcoholics where withdrawal symptoms continue beyond the acute withdrawal stage but usually at a subacute level of intensity and gradually decreasing with severity over time. This syndrome is also sometimes referred to...
and smoking cessation
Smoking cessation
Smoking cessation is the process of discontinuing the practice of inhaling a smoked substance. This article focuses exclusively on cessation of tobacco smoking; however, the methods described may apply to cessation of smoking other substances that can be difficult to stop using due to the...
. After addressing fans in a 4-minute digitally recorded
Digital recording
In digital recording, digital audio and digital video is directly recorded to a storage device as a stream of discrete numbers, representing the changes in air pressure for audio and chroma and luminance values for video through time, thus making an abstract template for the original sound or...
voice message
Voice message
Voice message refers to a message that could be sent to a destination using voice media. Voice itself could be 'packaged' and sent through the IP backbone so that it reaches its marked 'address'. In a technical sense, the process of sending 'voice packets' is a semi passive way of communication...
to the media, Rajinikanth, under the advice of Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian film actor. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema, and has since appeared in over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades...
, travelled from Chennai to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
with his family on 21 May 2011, where he was to undergo further treatment for nephropathy
Nephropathy
Nephropathy refers to damage to or disease of the kidney. An older term for this is nephrosis.-Causes:Causes of nephropathy include administration of analgesics, xanthine oxidase deficiency, and long-term exposure to lead or its salts...
at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital
Mount Elizabeth Hospital
Mount Elizabeth Hospital is a 373-bed private hospital in Singapore operated by Parkway Health. It was started in 1976 and officially opened in 8 December 1979....
. After spending over two weeks at the hospital, he was finally discharged on 15 June 2011 and continued to stay in Singapore for vacation, before returning to Chennai on 13 July 2011.
Despite several failed attempts to restart Rana, Rajinikanth appeared in the Bollywood science-fiction film Ra.One
Ra.One
Ra.One is a 2011 Indian science fiction superhero film written and directed by Anubhav Sinha. The film features Shahrukh Khan in dual roles, and also stars Kareena Kapoor, Armaan Verma and Arjun Rampal in the lead...
(2011) in a cameo appearance alongside Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
and Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor , often informally referred to as Bebo, is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. During her career, Kapoor has received six Filmfare Awards, among nine nominations, and has been noted for her performances in a range of film genres; these include her work from contemporary...
. In November 2011, Soundarya announced yet another film with Rajinikanth in the lead. The film was announced as Kochadaiyan, a 3D film to feature screenplay and story by Ravikumar and also to be produced by Eros Entertainment. This resulted in Rana being shelved until the completion of Kochadaiyaan and Dheera, which was announced in 2007, to continue being in a development hell
Development hell
In the jargon of the media-industry, "development hell" is a period during which a film or other project is trapped in development...
.
Popularity
Rajinikanth has been called the most popular South Indian film actor of his time. Rajinikanth's popularity has been attributed to "his uniquely styled dialogues and idiosyncrasies in films, as well as his political statements and philanthropy". Many also cite reasons for Rajinikanth's popularity as coming from his larger-than-life super-hero appearance in many films, supported by gravity-defying stunts and charismatic expressions, all while attempting to maintain modesty in real-life. Almost every film of Rajinikanth has punchlines delivered by him in an imitable style, and these punchlines often have a message or even to warn the film's antagonists. These dialogues are usually fabricated to create new ones or even taken in a comical way, but do not fail to create a sense of entertainment among viewers. It is suggested by the media that some popular actors who worked with Rajinikanth earlier in their careers, such as Gouthami TadimallaGouthami Tadimalla
Gouthami is an Indian actress. She has acted in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Kannada films.-Film career:...
and Nayanthara, were recognised because of their association with Rajinikanth, giving other aspiring actors the urge to work with him. Some fellow actors, such as Cho Ramaswamy, have commentated that Rajinikanth has the potential to be successful in Indian politics due to his popularity and fan base alone.
During a visit to Japan in 2006, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
Manmohan Singh
Manmohan Singh is the 13th and current Prime Minister of India. He is the only Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to return to power after completing a full five-year term. A Sikh, he is the first non-Hindu to occupy the office. Singh is also the 7th Prime Minister belonging to the Indian...
acknowledged the success of Muthu in the country during a speech, justifying the positive relationship between the two nations. Chandramukhi is notable for being the longest-running Tamil film in India, playing for a total of over 800 days. Sivaji was instrumental in making one of the largest releases for an Indian film in the world; the film entered the list of top ten films of the United Kingdom upon release. Chandramukhi and Sivaji were also released in South Africa, where they eventually became high box-office grossers. In December 2010, it was reported that students of the post-graduate management program at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad , better known as IIM Ahmedabad or simply IIM-A, is a business school located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It is the second Indian Institute of Management to be established, in 1961.-History:...
would use Enthiran as a case study to analyse the business of cinema and its success story, as part of an elective course called Contemporary Film Industry: A Business Perspective. The course would also study Muthu. "Rajinikanth facts" or "Rajinikanth jokes" are satirical factoids about Rajinikanth. They are widely circulated in text messages and over the internet. Many Rajinikanth jokes are said to be inspired by Chuck Norris facts
Chuck Norris Facts
Chuck Norris facts are satirical factoids about martial artist and actor Chuck Norris that have become an Internet phenomenon and as a result have become widespread in popular culture. The facts are normally absurd hyperbolic claims about Norris's toughness, attitude, virility, sophistication, and...
. Rajinikanth jokes usually surface before the expected release of one of his movies. These satirical jokes have also inspired an iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
application. A clip from his 1990 Tamil film Athisaya Piravi
Athisaya Piravi
Athisaya Piravi is a 1990 Tamil film starring Rajinikanth, Nagesh and Kanaka and music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film was directed by SP. Muthuraman...
, featuring himself and fellow actor Thavakalai, became a hugely popular viral video
Viral video
A viral video is one that becomes popular through the process of Internet sharing, typically through video sharing websites, social media and email...
titled "Little Superstar
Little Superstar
Little Superstar is a video uploaded on YouTube, which is a clip from the 1990 Indian film Adhisaya Piravi, starring Rajinikanth. The clip features the dwarf South Indian actor Thavakalai breakdancing to MC Miker G & DJ Sven's "Holiday Rap"...
" on YouTube in 2006.
Family
He married Latha Rangachari, an IyengarIyengar
Iyengar or Ayyangar is a caste given to Hindu Brahmins of Tamil origin who follow the Visishtadvaita philosophy propounded by Sri Ramanujacharya. They are found mostly in Tamil Nadu as they are generally native to the Tamil Nadu state of the Republic of India...
, on 26 February 1981, at the age of 31 in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. They have two daughters named Aishwarya Rajinikanth and Soundarya Rajinikanth
Soundarya Rajinikanth
Soundarya Rajinikanth Ashwin is a film graphic designer, producer and director in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India who has contributed in several Tamil films. Soundarya Rajinikanth is most popularly known for her work in Anbe Aaruyire...
. His wife, Latha Rajinikanth, currently runs a school named The Ashram. His elder daughter, Aishwarya, married actor Dhanush
Dhanush
Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja , better known by his stage name Dhanush , is an Indian film actor, occasional playback singer and lyricist, working in the Tamil film industry...
on 18 November 2004 and they have two sons named Yathra and Linga. His younger daughter, Soundarya
Soundarya Rajinikanth
Soundarya Rajinikanth Ashwin is a film graphic designer, producer and director in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India who has contributed in several Tamil films. Soundarya Rajinikanth is most popularly known for her work in Anbe Aaruyire...
, works in the film industry as a director, producer and graphic designer
Graphic designer
A graphic designer is a professional within the graphic design and graphic arts industry who assembles together images, typography or motion graphics to create a piece of design. A graphic designer creates the graphics primarily for published, printed or electronic media, such as brochures and...
. She married industrialist Ashwin Ramkumar on 3 September 2010.
Religious views
Rajinikanth is a follower of HinduismHinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, spiritualism
Spiritualism
Spiritualism is a belief system or religion, postulating the belief that spirits of the dead residing in the spirit world have both the ability and the inclination to communicate with the living...
, and a strong believer of spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
. As a reader, he also enjoys books on such topics. He is also a practitioner of yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
and meditation. Rajinikanth is known for visiting temples prior to the release of each of his films; for instance he visited the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple ), is a Hindu temple in the hill town of Tirumala, near Tirupati in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, South India. It is around from Chennai, from Hyderabad, and from Bangalore....
before the release of Sivaji in 2007 and visited Sathya Sai Baba
Sathya Sai Baba
Śri Sathya Sai Baba , born as Sathyanarayana Raju was an Indian guru, spiritual figure, mystic, philanthropist, and educator. He claimed to be the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi, a spiritual saint and miracle worker who died in 1918 and whose teachings were an eclectic blend of Hindu and...
at Prasanthi Nilayam in Andhra Pradesh before the release of Kuselan
Kuselan
Kuselan is a 2008 Tamil drama film directed by P. Vasu, which was simultaneously made in Telugu as Kathanayakudu . Both remake of the Malayalam film Kadha Parayumbol, the film is directed by P. Vasu and produced by Pushpa Kandaswamy, Aswani Dutt and G. P. Vijayakumar in two languages...
the following year. He also occasionally leaves for pilgrimage to the Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
. He has often referred to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Satchidananda
Swami Satchidananda
Swami Satchidananda , born as C. K. Ramaswamy Gounder, was an Indian religious teacher, spiritual master and yoga adept, who gained fame and following in the West during his time in New York. He was the author of many philosophical and spiritual books, including a popular illustrative book on Hatha...
, Ragavendra Swami, Mahavatar Babaji
Mahavatar Babaji
Mahavatar Babaji is the name given to an Indian saint by Lahiri Mahasaya and several of his disciples who met Mahavatar Babaji between 1861 and 1935. Some of these meetings were described by Paramhansa Yogananda in his book Autobiography of a Yogi , including a first hand telling of Yogananda’s own...
, and Ramana Maharishi as his favourite spiritual leaders.
Influence in politics
In 1995, Rajinikanth began supporting the Indian National CongressIndian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
after meeting Prime Minister Narasimha Rao
Narasimha Rao
Narasimha Rao or Narasimharao is one of the Indian names.* Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao served as the 10th Prime Minister of India.* Modireddy Venkat Narasimha Rao, is a former Indian cricketer....
. An opinion poll conducted by the magazine Kumudam
Kumudam
Kumudam is a Tamil language weekly magazines published in Chennai, India. The group also publishes other Tamil magazines including Kumudam Reporter, Kumudam Snehidi, Kumudam Bhakti, Kumudam Jothidam, Kumudam Theeranadhi. At the sametime kumudam group started a telugu spiritual magazine called...
predicted that Congress with Rajinikanth's support might win up to 130 seats in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
Assembly. In 1996, when the Congress Party decided to align with All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a state political party in the states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, India. The party was founded by M. G. Ramachandran and is now headed by J. Jayalalithaa. The party headquarters is in Royapettah, Chennai, and was gifted to the party in 1986 by its...
(AIADMK), Rajinikanth supported Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a state political party in the states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, India. It is a Dravidian party founded by C. N. Annadurai as a breakaway faction from the Dravidar Kazhagam headed by Periyar...
(DMK)-Tamil Maanila Congress
Tamil Maanila Congress
The Tamil Maanila Congress was a political party in Tamil Nadu. It was started by G K Moopanar by breaking away from the Indian National Congress protesting the decision of the party high command to form an alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. After the death of Moopanar, his...
(TMC) alliance. The TMC used a bicycle as their election symbol and used an image of Rajinikanth riding a bicycle from the film Annamalai in their posters. Rajinikanth said, "Even God cannot save Tamil Nadu if AIADMK returns to power." Rajinikanth wholeheartedly supported the DMK and TMC alliance and asked the people of Tamil Nadu and his fans to vote for that alliance. This alliance had a complete victory in 1996. In 1996, Rajinikanth supported the DMK-TMC alliance in parliamentary elections.
In 2002, Rajinikanth undertook a daylong fast to protest the Government of Karnataka
Government of Karnataka
The Government of Karnataka is a democratically elected body with the Governor as the constitutional head. The Governor who is appointed for a period of five years appoints the Chief Minister and his council of ministers...
's decision to not release Kaveri River water into Tamil Nadu
Kaveri River Water Dispute
The sharing of waters of the river Kaveri had been the bone of contention of a serious conflict between the Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu...
and announced that he would contribute 10 million toward a plan to interlink the Indian rivers. He met with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Atal Bihari Vajpayee is an Indian statesman who served as the tenth Prime Minister of India three times – first for a brief term of 13 days in 1996, and then for two terms from 1998 to 2004. After his first brief period as Prime Minister in 1996, Vajpayee headed a coalition government from...
and many experts to canvass support for the project. However, most other members of the Tamil film industry, including members of the South Indian Film Artistes' Association
South Indian Film Artistes' Association
The South Indian Film Artistes' Association , also known as the Nadigar Sangam, is an Indian organization consisting of film actors and actresses from the Tamil film industry in Tamil Nadu, India. Formed in 1952, the group has organized several events due industry-related issues and, more recently,...
(SIFAA), organised their own solidarity protest. Film director Bharathi Raja stated that Rajinikanth was on the verge of dividing the film industry and called him "traitor who had a tacit understanding with the Karnataka government".
During the 2008 hunger strike organised by SIFAA during the Hogenakkal water dispute
Hogenakkal Water Dispute
The Hogenakkal Water Dispute is a conflict between the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the implementation of Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Project, whose foundation stone was laid in February 2008. The Rs...
, he reprimanded politicians in Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
. Further, he appealed to leaders not to inflame the water project issue for political gains and requested that the issue should be resolved soon. He urged the Karnataka politicians "to speak the truth". "They cannot be fooled and will not remain silent if you continue to act in such manner," he stated. Vatal Nagaraj, a Kannada activist and leader of the Kannada Chaluvali Paksha, demanded an apology from Rajinikanth and threatened that he would not be allowed in the state of Karnataka and all his films would be boycotted for Rajinikanth's speech against Kannada politicians. Following the release of Kuselan
Kuselan
Kuselan is a 2008 Tamil drama film directed by P. Vasu, which was simultaneously made in Telugu as Kathanayakudu . Both remake of the Malayalam film Kadha Parayumbol, the film is directed by P. Vasu and produced by Pushpa Kandaswamy, Aswani Dutt and G. P. Vijayakumar in two languages...
in Karnataka, Rajinikanth publicly thanked the Kannada film industry
Cinema of Karnataka
The cinema of Karnataka , sometimes colloquially referred to as Sandalwood and as Chandanavana in Kannada, encompasses movies made in the Indian state of Karnataka based in Bangalore. Most of the movies are made in Kannada, with a handful of them in Konkani or Tulu. Today more than 100 films are...
for allowing the release of the film and lifting the ban, which was imposed following his speech at the hunger strike. Actors Sathyaraj
Sathyaraj
Sathyaraj is a Tamil film actor and media personality in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. A Tamil activist and a political influence, he has acted in over 150 films, ranging from action and drama to comedy. In 2007, he played the role of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy in the Tamil Nadu government-sponsored...
, Radha Ravi
Radha Ravi
Radha Ravi is a Tamil film and television actor, who played supporting roles throughout his career. He is the son of yesteryear actor, M. R. Radha and the uncle of Vasu Vikram and halfbrother of Raadhika Sarathkumar. He is a chief member of the South Indian Film Artistes' Association...
, and R. Sarathkumar condemned the apology as a "disgrace to Tamils".
Local fan associations of Rajinikanth in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
continuously speculated his entry in politics. In this regard, a few fans in Coimbatore
Coimbatore
Coimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
began a political party in 2008 for Rajinikanth, in an attempt to pressure his entry. The party was named the Desiya Dravadar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (DDMMK), introducing its own flag and symbol for the party. After learning about this, Rajinikanth wrote an open letter to the media and declared that he had no connection with these events and warned fans not to indulge in such activities and that he would take legal action if they failed to adhere. He also mentioned that he was not interested in politics and thus, was only committed to working in films. He added that nobody can force him to enter politics, just as no one can stop him from entering it.
In 2008, Rajinikanth also took part in the SIFAA-organized one-day hunger strike with other Tamil film personalities, demanding the government of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
to stop the civil war
Sri Lankan civil war
The Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on July 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil...
and to provide Sri Lankan Tamils their rights and traditional land in the island nation. The hunger strike was responsible for sparking a series of protests in different parts of the world
2009 Tamil diaspora protests
The 2009 Tamil diaspora protests refers to a series of protests and demonstrations which took place in several countries across the world, urging national and world leaders and organizations to take action on bringing a unanimous cease fire to the Sri Lankan Civil War, which had taken place for...
for the same cause. In 2010, Rajinikanth supported actor Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He began his career as a supporting actor in a Telugu film before gaining critical recognition in the Tamil thriller Aasai . A succession of high-grossing films followed where Ajith was usually depicted as a romantic hero, with...
, who spoke against the forceful inclusion of Tamil cinema personae in political affairs, which broke into a controversy.
Awards and honours
Rajinikanth has received numerous awards for many of his films mostly in Tamil. He received his first Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor in 1984 for Nallavanuku NallavanNallavanuku Nallavan
Nallavanuku Nallavan is a Tamil film, directed by SP. Muthuraman. The film is a remake of the 1982 Superhit Kannada film Jeevana Chakra that starred Vishnuvardhan and Raadhika Sarathkumar in main roles....
. Later he received Filmfare Award nominations for his performances in Sivaji (2007) and Enthiran (2010). Rajinikanth also received Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards are the most notable film awards given for Tamil films in India. They are given annually to honour the best talents and provide encouragement and incentive to the South Indian film industry by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The awards are decided by a committee headed by...
in the Best Actor
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor
The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won....
category for his roles in Muthu (1995), Padayappa
Padayappa
Padayappa is a 1999 Tamil drama film written and directed by K. S. Ravikumar. The film features Rajinikanth, Soundarya and Ramya Krishnan playing lead roles, whilst Sivaji Ganesan, Lakshmi and Nassar play pivotal supporting roles. With soundtrack composed by A. R...
(1999), Chandramukhi
Chandramukhi
Chandramukhi is a 2005 Indian horror, comedy and drama film directed by P. Vasu and produced by Ramkumar Ganesan. With a few deviations, it is a remake of Vasu's 2004 Kannada film Apthamitra, which was in-turn a remake of the 1993 Malayalam film Manichithrathazhu...
(2005), and Sivaji (2007). He also received numerous awards from Cinema Express
Cinema Express Awards
Cinema Express Awards are presented annually by Indian Express Group to honour artistic excellence of professionals in the south Indian film industry which comprises Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam film industries. The awards were introduced in 1981...
and Filmfans' Association for his on-screen performances and off-screen contributions in writing and producing.
Rajinikanth received the Kalaimamani
Kalaimamani
The Kalaimamani is an award in Tamil Nadu state, India. These awards are given by the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram for excellence in the field of art and literature....
award in 1984 and the M. G. R. Award in 1989, both from the Government of Tamil Nadu
Government of Tamil Nadu
The Government of Tamil Nadu, headquartered at Chennai is the governing authority for the Indian State of Tamil Nadu. It is seated at the Fort St. George...
. In 1995, the South Indian Film Artistes' Association
South Indian Film Artistes' Association
The South Indian Film Artistes' Association , also known as the Nadigar Sangam, is an Indian organization consisting of film actors and actresses from the Tamil film industry in Tamil Nadu, India. Formed in 1952, the group has organized several events due industry-related issues and, more recently,...
presented him with the Kalaichelvam Award. He was named and honoured with the Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
award, India's third highest civilian honour, in 2000 from the Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
. He was selected as the Indian Entertainer of the Year for 2007 by NDTV
NDTV
NDTV is an Indian commercial broadcasting television network founded in 1988. It was founded by Prannoy Roy, an eminent journalist and current chairman and director of NDTV Group. NDTV currently has more than 1,000 employees producing news from over twenty locations in India...
, competing against the likes of Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan , often credited as Shah Rukh Khan, is an Indian film actor, as well as a film producer and television host. Often referred to as "the King of Bollywood", Khan has acted in over 70 Hindi films....
. The Government of Maharashtra honoured him with the Raj Kapoor Award the same year. He received the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema
Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema
The Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won....
at the 2010 ceremony
Vijay awards 2010
Vijay TV presented the fourth consecutive edition of Univercell Vijay Awards powered by Rin this time even grand than its last three years; an event to recognize the excellence of professionals in the Tamil film industry,for movies released in the year 2009. The year 2009 saw 131 films released...
of the Vijay Awards
Vijay Awards
The Vijay Awards are presented by the Tamil television channel STAR Vijay to honour excellence in Tamil cinema. It has given annually since 2006. The awards are decided by a jury, consisting of noted filmmakers, critics and technicians, while winners in a separate category named "Favourite awards"...
.
Rajinikanth was also named one of the most influential persons in South Asia by Asiaweek
Asiaweek
Asiaweek, the English edition, was a news magazine focusing on Asia, published weekly by Asiaweek Limited, a subsidiary of Time Inc. Based in Hong Kong, it was established in 1975, and ceased publication with its December 7, 2001 issue due to a "downturn in the advertising market," according to...
. He was also named by Forbes India
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
as the most influential Indian of the year 2010.
Rajinikanth was awarded the Entertainer of the Decade Award by NDTV
NDTV
NDTV is an Indian commercial broadcasting television network founded in 1988. It was founded by Prannoy Roy, an eminent journalist and current chairman and director of NDTV Group. NDTV currently has more than 1,000 employees producing news from over twenty locations in India...
in 2011 by Indian Home Minister of Affairs P. Chidambaram
P. Chidambaram
P. Chidambaram or Chidambaram Palaniappan, sometimes written Palaniappan Chidambaram is an Indian politician with the Indian National Congress and present Union Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of India. Previously he was the Finance Minister of India from May 2004 to November 2008...
.
Notable filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Apoorva Raagangal Apoorva Raagangal Apoorva Raagangal is a 1975 Tamil film directed by K. Balachander. This film was controversial upon release as it examines relationships between people with wide age gaps, which challenged Indian social mores. The film went on to win the National Film Awards in 1976... |
Pandiyan | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
|
| 1976 | Anthuleni Katha Anthuleni Katha Anthuleni Katha is a 1976 Telugu film directed by K. Balachander. The film is a remake of the 1974 Tamil film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai. This is Jayaprada's first starring role and is considered to be one of her best films. This was also Rajnikanth's first major role. Kamal Hassan played an extended... |
Murthy | Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
|
| 1976 | Moondru Mudichu Moondru Mudichu Moondru Mudichu is a Tamil film that was directed by K. Balachander. The movie stars Kamal Hassan, Rajnikanth and Sridevi. It is hailed as the movie that made Rajnikanth a big "villain" star. The movie revolves around 3 people - a college going girl and 2 men who fall in love with her... |
Prasath | Tamil | |
| 1977 | 16 Vayathinile 16 Vayathinile 16 Vayathinile is a 1977 Tamil feature film directed by Bharathiraja. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and Sridevi. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film marked Bharathiraja's debut as a filmmaker/screenwriter and it met with a strong critical reception upon... |
Parattai | Tamil | |
| 1977 | Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri | Tamil | ||
| 1978 | Bhairavi Bhairavi Bhairavi is a fierce and terrifying aspect of the Devi virtually indistinguishable from Kali, except for her particular identification as the consort of the Bhairava.-Symbolism:... |
Mookaiyan | Tamil | |
| 1978 | Mullum Malarum Mullum Malarum Mullum Malarum is a Tamil film directed by J. Mahendran. Starring Rajinikanth and Shoba in the lead, the film was filmed by Balu Mahendra and featured music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The screenplay for the movie is based on a novel with the same name Mullum Malarum authored by Umachandran... |
Kaali | Tamil | Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize |
| 1979 | Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai is a 1979 Tamil film directed by SP. Muthuraman, starring Rajinikanth. It was produced by Meena. The cast also included Thilak, Cho, Thangai Seenivasan, T.K.Bakavathi, Jayalakshmi, Sangeetha, Jaya and Mallika.The music was composed by Ilayaraja. The songs were sung by... |
Santhanam | Tamil | |
| 1980 | Billa Billa (1980 film) Billa is a 1980 Tamil film produced by K.Balaji and directed by R.Krishnamurthy. The film stars Rajinikanth, Suresh Balaje, Thengai Srinivasan, Manorama, Sripriya, Reena Roy and Major Sundarrajan... |
Tamil | ||
| 1980 | Murattu Kaalai | Kaalaiyan | Tamil | |
| 1981 | Thillu Mullu Thillu Mullu Thillu Mullu is a 1981 Tamil movie starring Rajinikanth, Madhavi, 'Thengai' Srinivasan, Nagesh, Sowkar Janaki and music composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The film is directed by noted filmmaker, K. Balachander.The film is actually a remake of the Hindi Blockbuster comedy film Gol Maal released in 1979... |
Tamil | ||
| 1982 | Moondru Mugam Moondru Mugam Moondru Mugam is Tamil feature film starring Rajinikanth doing a triple role.-Plot:Arun comes back from America after 10 years as a saint. His father does not want his son to be like that so he gets press reporter to change him back to a normal person like everyone else... |
Tamil | Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize | |
| 1984 | Nallavanuku Nallavan Nallavanuku Nallavan Nallavanuku Nallavan is a Tamil film, directed by SP. Muthuraman. The film is a remake of the 1982 Superhit Kannada film Jeevana Chakra that starred Vishnuvardhan and Raadhika Sarathkumar in main roles.... |
Manickam | Tamil | Filmfare Award for Best Actor in Tamil |
| 1985 | Sri Raghavendra Sri Raghavendra Sri Raghavendra is a 1985 Tamil film is directed by SP. Muthuraman. The film was Rajinikanth's 100th film. He plays the role of the Hindu saint Raghavendra in this movie. It was produced by Kavithalaya Productions.-Plot:... |
Raghavendra Swami Raghavendra Swami Raghavendra Theertha was a Hindu saint and philosopher who served as the head of the Sri Mutt in Kumbakonam from 1624 to 1636. He wrote a commentary Sudha Parimala on the Nyaya Sudha, an exposition of Dvaita philosophy... |
Tamil | 100th film |
| 1991 | Thalapathi Thalapathi Thalapathi is a 1991 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Mani Ratnam, and produced by G. Venkateswaran under the banner of G. V. Films. The film stars Rajnikanth, Mammootty and Shobana in the lead roles with Arvind Swamy, Srividya, Amrish Puri, Bhanupriya, Nagesh, and Charuhasan essaying... |
Surya | Tamil | |
| 1992 | Annamalai Annamalai (film) Annamalai is a 1992 Tamil film directed by Suresh Krishna; starring Rajinikanth, Kushboo and Sarath Babu in the lead roles. It is a remake of Krishnam Raju's movie Prana Snehitulu, which was a remake of Rakesh Roshan's Hindi movie Khudgarz, which was inturn based on Erich Segal's novel Kane and... |
Annamalai | Tamil | |
| 1995 | Baashha | Tamil | ||
| 1995 | Muthu Muthu (film) The soundtrack features six songs composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Vairamuthu. Muthu is the first Rajinikanth film for which Rahman wrote music. The soundtrack for this movie turned out to be a major hit and Rahman gained popularity in Japan when the movie was released in Japanese. The... |
Tamil | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won.... |
|
| 1999 | Padayappa Padayappa Padayappa is a 1999 Tamil drama film written and directed by K. S. Ravikumar. The film features Rajinikanth, Soundarya and Ramya Krishnan playing lead roles, whilst Sivaji Ganesan, Lakshmi and Nassar play pivotal supporting roles. With soundtrack composed by A. R... |
Aarupadayappan | Tamil | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won.... |
| 2005 | Chandramukhi Chandramukhi Chandramukhi is a 2005 Indian horror, comedy and drama film directed by P. Vasu and produced by Ramkumar Ganesan. With a few deviations, it is a remake of Vasu's 2004 Kannada film Apthamitra, which was in-turn a remake of the 1993 Malayalam film Manichithrathazhu... |
Tamil | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won.... |
|
| 2007 | Sivaji | Sivaji Arumugam | Tamil | |
| 2010 | Enthiran | Tamil |
External links
|-! colspan="3" style="background: #DAA520;" | Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Awards South is the South Indian segment of the annual Filmfare Awards, presented by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the South Indian film industry. The awards are separately given for Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films...
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