Rajinikanth (Tamil: ரஜினிகாந்த்), born on December 12, 1949 as Shivaji Rao Gaekwad(Marathi: शिवाजीराव गायकवाड, Kannada: ಶಿವಾಜಿರಾವ್ ಗಾಯಕವಾಡ್), is an Indian film actor, producer, and prominent media personality. He is best known for his mass popularity and appeal, largely drawn from his mannerisms and stylized delivery of dialogue in films. He received India's third highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan, in 2000 for his contribution to Indian cinema. Other than acting and producing, Rajinikanth also worked as a screenwriter, and playback singer. Apart from his film career, he is a philanthropist, spiritualist, and serves as an influence in the politics of Tamil Nadu.
Rajinikanth made his debut as an actor in Apoorva Raagangal (1975), a Tamil film directed by K. Balachander, whom the actor considers as his mentor. He was later favoured in Tamil cinema for portraying antagonistic characters and gradually rose to acting in lead roles. Post-1978, he became known as the "superstar" of Tamil cinema and successfully held a matinee idol status among the mass media and popular culture of India. While acting in many Indian languages, he also appeared in films of other nations, including in those of the United States. After being paid a salary of 
26 crores (US$5.9 million) for his role in Sivaji (2007), he became the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan.[1][2]
26 crores (US$5.9 million) for his role in Sivaji (2007), he became the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan.[1][2]
Awards and honours
Rajinikanth received his first Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor in 1984 for Nallavanuku Nallavan. He later received Filmfare Award nominations for his performances in Muthu (1995) and Sivaji (2007).[45] Rajinikanth also received Tamil Nadu State Film Awards in the Best Actor category for his roles in Moondru Mugam (1982), Muthu (1995), Padayappa (1999), Chandramukhi (2005), and Sivaji (2007). He also received awards from Cinema Express and Filmfans Association for his on-screen performances and off-screen contributions in writing and producing.[46]
Rajinikanth received the Kalaimamani award in 1985 and the M. G. R. Award in 1989, both from the Government of Tamil Nadu. In 1995, theSouth Indian Film Artistes' Association presented him with the Kalaichelvam Award. He was named and honoured with the Padma Bhushanaward, India's third highest civilian honour, in 2000 from the Government of India.[47] He was selected as the Indian Entertainer of the Year for 2007 by NDTV, competing against the likes of Shahrukh Khan.[48] 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.[49]
Family
He married Latha Rangachari, an Iyengar,[50] whom he met during an exclusive interview,[51] on February 26, 1981, at the age of 31 inTirupati, Andhra Pradesh. They have two daughters named Aishwarya Rajinikanth and Soundarya Rajinikanth. His wife, Latha Rajinikanth currently runs a school - The Ashram. His elder daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth married actor Dhanush on November 18, 2004 and they have two sons named Yathra and Linga.[52] His younger daughter, Soundarya Rajinikanth, works in the film industry as a director, producer andgraphic designer; she is married to industrialist Ashwin Ramkumar since September 3, 2010.[53]
