Editing Rajinikanth (section)

{{Short description|Indian actor (born 1950)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{For-text|his biography|[[Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography]]|the 2013 Indian film|[[Rajani Kantha]]|other uses|[[Rajini (disambiguation)]]}}
{{confuse|Shivajirao Gaekwad}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Rajinikanth
| image              = Rajinikanth in 2019.jpg
| caption            = Rajinikanth in 2019
| birth_name         = Shivaji Rao Gaikwad
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1950|12|12|df=y}}<ref name=shivaji />
| birth_place        = [[Bangalore]], [[Mysore State]], India
| other_names        = 
| alma_mater         = [[M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute|Adyar Film Institute]]
| height             = 
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
*[[Actor]]
*Film producer
*Screenwriter
*Playback singer
}}
| years_active       = 1975–present
| works              = [[Rajinikanth filmography|Full list]]
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[Latha Rajinikanth]]|1981}}
| children           = {{flatlist|
*[[Aishwarya R. Dhanush|Aishwarya]]
*[[Soundarya Rajinikanth|Soundarya]]
}}
| relatives          = See [[List of South Indian film families#Rajinikanth family|Rajinikanth family]]
| honours            = [[Padma Vibhushan]] (2016)<ref name="pv">{{Cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/rajinikanth-awarded-padma-vibhushan-padma-shri-for-priyanka-chopra-ajay-devgn/ |title=Rajinikanth gets Padma Vibhushan; Padma Shri for Priyanka, Ajay Devgn |date=26 January 2014 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=8 December 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025080029/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/rajinikanth-awarded-padma-vibhushan-padma-shri-for-priyanka-chopra-ajay-devgn/ |archive-date=25 October 2016 |location=New Delhi}}</ref> <br /> [[Padma Bhushan]] (2000)
| awards             = [[Dadasaheb Phalke Award]] (2019)<ref name="DS">{{cite web |title=Rajinikanth honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke award: 'I dedicate this award to my fans across around the world' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/rajinikanth-honoured-with-dadasaheb-phalke-award-7253877/#:~:text=Actor%20Rajinikanth%20has%20been%20honoured,of%20Indian%20cinema%20Rajnikant%20ji. |website=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=3 April 2021 |date=2 April 2021}}</ref><br />
[[NTR National Award]] (2016)<br />[[Kalaimamani]] (1984)<br />([[List of awards and nominations received by Rajinikanth|See full list]])
}}

'''Shivaji Rao Gaikwad'''{{efn|There are numerous variant spellings of the name. These include ''Gaikwad'', ''Gaykwad'', ''Gaikawad'', and, ''Gaykawad''.}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-09-21 |title=#SelfMadeActors: From being Shivaji Rao Gaekwad to Superstar Rajinikanth; The story of this self made actor in Kollywood is just inspiring |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/selfmadeactors-from-being-shivaji-rao-gaekwad-to-superstar-rajinikanth-the-story-of-this-self-made-actor-in-kollywood-is-just-inspiring/photostory/113539368.cms |access-date=2024-12-12 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> (born 12 December 1950), known professionally as '''Rajinikanth''',{{efn|There are numerous variant spellings of the name. These include ''Rajanikant'', ''Rajni Kanth'', ''Rajanikanth'' and ''Rajanikant''.{{sfn|Ramachandran|2012|pp=160–161}}}} is an Indian actor who predominantly works in [[Tamil cinema]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/politicians/rajinikanth-71764.html|title=Rajinikanth: Age, Biography, Education, Wife, Caste, Net Worth & More - Oneindia|accessdate=1 September 2023}}</ref> In a career spanning over five decades, he has done 170 films{{efn|Including the film with his extended cameo appearance – ''[[Lal Salaam (2024 film)|Lal Salaam]]'' (2024)|name="KO"}} that includes films in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Hindi]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Kannada]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], and [[Malayalam]]. He is widely regarded to be one of the most successful and popular actors in the history of [[Cinema of India|Indian cinema]].<ref>Ratda, Khushboo (24 August 2022) [https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/47-years-rajinikanth-inspiring-rags-riches-story-superstar-1177449 "47 Years of Rajinikanth: An Inspiring from Rags-to-Riches Story of a Superstar."] ''PinkVilla.com''. Retrieved 28 June 2023.</ref><ref>[https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/rajinikanths-journey-from-being-a-conductor-to-becoming-demi-god/ Rajinikanth's Journey from Being a Conductor to Becoming Demi-God"] (23 May 2014). ''[[The Indian Express]]''. Retrieved 6 July 2023.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-13 |title=Rajinikanth {{!}} Biography, Movies, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rajinikanth |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> Known for his uniquely styled mannerism and one liners in films, he has a huge fan base and a [[cult following]]. The [[Government of India]] honoured him with the [[Padma Bhushan]] in 2000 and the [[Padma Vibhushan]] in 2016, India's third and second highest [[Orders, decorations, and medals of India|civilian honours]] respectively, and the [[Dadasaheb Phalke Award]] in 2019, the highest Indian award in the field of cinema, for his contributions to Indian cinema.<ref name="CivilIndiaAwards">{{Cite web |url=http://mha.nic.in/awar2000.htm |title=Civilian Awards announced on 26 January 2000 |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs (India) |language=ta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302144232/http://mha.nic.in/awar2000.htm |archive-date=2 March 2007 |access-date=20 April 2007}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/padma-awards-announced/article8151257.ece |title=Padma Vibhushan for Rajinikanth, Dhirubhai Ambani, Jagmohan |date=25 January 2016 |work=The Hindu |access-date=25 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125105210/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/padma-awards-announced/article8151257.ece |archive-date=25 January 2016}}</ref> He has won numerous film awards including one [[National Film Award]], seven [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]], a [[Nandi Award]], one [[Filmfare Award South|Filmfare Award]] and two [[Maharashtra State Film Awards]].

Following his debut in [[K. Balachander]]'s 1975 Tamil drama ''[[Apoorva Raagangal]]'', Rajinikanth's acting career commenced with a brief phase of portraying antagonistic characters in Tamil films. His major positive role as a scorned lover in [[S. P. Muthuraman]]'s ''[[Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri]]'' (1977), 1978's ''[[Mullum Malarum]]'' and ''[[Aval Appadithan]]'' received him critical acclaim; the former earned him a [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize]] for Best Actor.<ref name="IE1">{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/happy-birthday-rajinikanth-how-the-superstar-came-to-be/|title=Happy Birthday Rajinikanth: How the superstar came to be|date=12 December 2015|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=27 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107121907/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/happy-birthday-rajinikanth-how-the-superstar-came-to-be/|archive-date=7 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=22 December 1999 |title=Rajini acts in front of the camera, never behind it |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/dec/22muthu.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107121339/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/dec/22muthu.htm |archive-date=7 January 2017 |access-date=6 June 2016 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref> By the end of the decade, he had worked in all [[Cinema of South India|South Indian film industries]] and established a career in Tamil cinema. He then played [[dual role]]s in the action thriller ''[[Billa (1980 film)|Billa]]'' (1980), a remake of the Hindi film ''[[Don (1978 film)|Don]]'' (1978). It was his biggest commercial success to that point, earned him stardom and gave him the [[action hero]] image.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 December 2006 |title=Ajit-The new 'Billa'! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/ajit-the-new-billa-news-tamil-kkfvgVcaegdsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107122518/http://www.sify.com/movies/ajit-the-new-billa-news-tamil-kkfvgVcaegdsi.html |archive-date=7 January 2017 |access-date=27 May 2016 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> He starred in triple role in ''[[Moondru Mugam]]'' (1982), which earned him a special prize at the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards ceremony. The following year, he made his [[Hindi cinema|Hindi film]] debut with [[T. Rama Rao]]'s top grossing ''[[Andhaa Kaanoon]]'' (1983).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://filminformation.com/featured/flashback-13-october-2023-from-our-issue-dated-17th-october-1998/|title=Blockbusters Of Twenty-Five Years (1973-1997)|date=13 October 2023}}</ref> ''[[Nallavanukku Nallavan]]'' (1984) won him that year's [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor&nbsp;– Tamil|Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor]].<ref name="Zee News">{{Cite web |last=Handoo |first=Ritika |date=12 December 2014 |title=Thalaiva Rajinikanth turns 64! |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity/thalaiva-rajinikanth-turns-64_1513435.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107121814/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/celebrity/thalaiva-rajinikanth-turns-64_1513435.html |archive-date=7 January 2017 |access-date=24 December 2014 |website=[[Zee News]]}}</ref> In the latter half of the 1980s, he starred in several successful films in Tamil and Hindi, including ''[[Geraftaar]]'' (1985), ''[[Padikkadavan (1985 film)|Padikkadavan]]'' (1985), ''[[Mr. Bharath]]'' (1986), ''[[Dosti Dushmani]]'' (1986), ''[[Velaikkaran (1987 film)|Velaikaran]]'' (1987), ''[[Manithan (1987 film)|Manithan]]'' (1987), ''[[Dharmathin Thalaivan]]'' (1988) and ''[[ChaalBaaz]]'' (1989).<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 February 2012 |title=Return of Rajinikanth |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/return-of-rajinikanth/story-WwoOk94xxZ9e2qqym8kpGI.html |url-status=live |access-date=27 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107124131/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/return-of-rajinikanth/story-WwoOk94xxZ9e2qqym8kpGI.html |archive-date=7 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6039|title=Cinema Can Come Back Stronger|date=4 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 April 1988 |title=Rajinikanth donates eyes |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bX1lAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uJ0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=595%2C1497665 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524120843/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bX1lAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uJ0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=595%2C1497665 |archive-date=24 May 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=3 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref>

In 1991, [[Mani Ratnam]]'s Tamil crime film ''[[Thalapathi]]'', earned him major critical acclaim for his performance.<ref name="TOI" /> He collaborated with [[Suresh Krissna]] for many films including ''[[Annaamalai]]'' (1992) and ''[[Baashha]]'' (1995); the latter was the biggest commercial success in his career yet as well as the highest-grossing film in Tamil for many years.<ref name="IE2">{{Cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/rajinikanths-journey-from-being-a-conductor-to-becoming-demi-god/ |title=Rajinikanth's journey from being a conductor to becoming demi-god |date=23 May 2014 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=5 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170107125028/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/rajinikanths-journey-from-being-a-conductor-to-becoming-demi-god/ |archive-date=7 January 2017}}</ref>  His other success includes [[P. Vasu]]'s ''[[Mannan (film)|Mannan]]'' (1992), ''[[Uzhaippali]]'' (1993) and [[K. S. Ravikumar]]'s ''[[Muthu (film)|Muthu]]'' (1995) and ''[[Padayappa]]'' (1999); the latter which went on to become his and Tamil cinema's highest-grossing movie, exceeding ''Baashha''.<ref name="tribune">{{Cite news |last=Chatterjee |first=Saibal |date=4 September 2005 |title=The Rajni phenomenon |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)]] |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050904/spectrum/main5.htm |url-status=live |access-date=6 June 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170107125005/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050904/spectrum/main5.htm |archive-date=7 January 2017}}</ref>

After a few years of hiatus, he returned to acting with the [[comedy horror]] film ''[[Chandramukhi]]'' (2005); it went on to become again the highest-grossing Tamil film. His next, [[S. Shankar]]'s ''[[Sivaji (film)|Sivaji]]'' (2007) was the third Indian film and the first ever [[Tamil language|Tamil]] film to enter the [[100 Crore Club]]. He then played dual role as a scientist and an [[Android (robot)|andro-humanoid robot]] in the [[science fiction film]] ''[[Enthiran]]'' (2010) and its sequel [[2.0 (film)|''2.0'']] (2018), both being [[List of most expensive Indian films|India's most expensive productions at the time of their release]] and among the [[List of highest-grossing Indian films|highest-grossing Indian films of all time]].{{efn|The film grossed {{INRConvert|2.89|b|lk=r|year=2016}} worldwide, surpassing ''Sivaji''{{'}}s collection of {{INRConvert|1.55|b|lk=r|year=2016}}. As of June 2012, it remains the highest-grossing Tamil film, till the release of Thuppakki.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/baahubali-beats-endhirans-lifetime-box-office-record-639747 |title=2nd Saturday Box Office Collection: Baahubali Beats Endhiran's Lifetime Record in 9 Days |last=H Hooli |first=Shekhar |date=19 July 2015 |website=[[International Business Times]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107130404/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/baahubali-beats-endhirans-lifetime-box-office-record-639747 |archive-date=7 January 2017 |access-date=6 June 2016}}</ref>}} In 2023, his most recent blockbuster ''[[Jailer (2023 Tamil film)|Jailer]]'', made a significant impact in the Tamil film industry, earning over {{Indian Rupee}}600 crore and establishing him as the sole actor with two {{Indian Rupee}}500 crore grosser films in the industry.<ref name=":BO">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Jatinder |date=4 October 2023 |title=Jailer worldwide closing box office collections: Superstar Rajinikanth film is Biggest Tamil film of All Time next to Thalapathy Vijay's LEO|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/jailer-worldwide-closing-box-office-collections-superstar-rajinikanth-film-is-biggest-tamil-film-of-all-time-1248206 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005035223/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/jailer-worldwide-closing-box-office-collections-superstar-rajinikanth-film-is-biggest-tamil-film-of-all-time-1248206 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |access-date=5 October 2023 |website=[[Pinkvilla]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 January 2024|title=Salaar Worldwide Box Office Update|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=8249|website=[[Box Office India]]|language=en}}</ref>

Rajinikanth was also named one of the most influential persons in South Asia by ''[[Asiaweek]]''.<ref name="mass_popularity">{{Cite news |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2009/12/14/sunday-celebrity-rajini-simple-stylish-spiritual-explains-his-uniqueness |title=Rajini is simple, stylish, spiritual, that explains his uniqueness |last=Ethiraj |first=Gopal |date=14 December 2009 |work=[[Asian Tribune]] |access-date=14 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215034339/http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2009/12/14/sunday-celebrity-rajini-simple-stylish-spiritual-explains-his-uniqueness |archive-date=15 December 2009}}</ref><ref name="i1">{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/meet-indias-biggest-film-star-2096273.html |title=Meet India's biggest film star |last=Buncombe |first=Andrew |date=3 October 2010 |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=3 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122065142/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/meet-indias-biggest-film-star-2096273.html |archive-date=22 January 2015 |location=London}}</ref> He was also named by ''[[Forbes]] India'' as the most influential Indian of the year 2010.<ref name="Now, a film on Rajinikanth's life">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Now-a-film-on-Rajinikanths-life/articleshow/8157830.cms |title=Now, a film on Rajinikanth's life |date=4 May 2011 |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910033430/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-04/news-interviews/29508246_1_rajinikanth-biopic-film |archive-date=10 September 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2024, Rajinikanth received [[UAE Golden Visa]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Rajinikanth receives golden visa for the United Arab Emirates |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/rajinikanth-receives-golden-visa-for-the-united-arab-emirates/article68208909.ece |website=thehindu|date=May 24, 2024|access-date=May 24, 2024}}</ref>