Rajinikanth

Rajinikanth
File:Aarilirunthu arubathu varai.JPG Rajni in Aarulirunthu Arubathu Varai (1979)
Born	Shivaji Rao Gaekwad
Other names	Rajni, Super Star, Thalaivar
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1975 to present
Spouse	Latha Rajinikanth
Children	Aishwarya Dhanush Soundarya Rajinikanth
Awards	Kalaimamani (1984) Padmabhushan (2000) Tamil Nadu Government Award for Best Actor ( Chandramukhi) (2007) Reliance Mobile Vijay Award 2007 for Favourite Hero (2008)
Website	http://www.rajinifans.com/

Rajinikanth (Kannada: ರಜನೀಕಾಂತ್,Marathi : रजनीकांत,Tamil: ரஜினிகாந்த், Telugu: రజినీకాంత్ - మట్టి బాబు) (born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, December 12, 1949) is one of the most influential and bankable movie stars in the Indian film industry, a superstar in the Tamil and Telugu films. He received India's third highest honour, the Padma Bhushan, for his contribution to Indian cinema in 2000. He was reportedly paid Rs. 25 crores for his latest blockbuster Sivaji.

Early life

Rajanikanth was born to a Maratha family in Karnataka. He was the fourth child of his parents, Jijabai and Ramojirao Gaekwad. He was named Shivajirao Gaekwad. Gaekwad is a family name among the Marathas. He lost his mother at the age of five. He did his schooling at the Acharya Paatashala in Bangalore and then at the Vivekananda Balaka Sangha, a unit of the Ramakrishna Mission. Rajanikanth struggled a lot during his early age because of poverty. Although his mother-tongue is Marathi, he has not acted in any Marathi movies yet.

Acharya Patashala-The school Rajanikanth went to.

He began his career doing various jobs in Bangalore. He also attended a theatre for stage plays. Before starting his career in the film industry, he worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service in Bangalore It was during this time that he nurtured his acting interests by performing in various stage plays.

Personal

He married Latha on February 26, 1981, at the age of 31 in Tirumala - Tirupati and they have two children: Aishwarya and Soundarya. Latha currently runs a school named - The Ashram.

His elder daughter Aishwarya married actor Dhanush on November 18, 2006 and they have one son, Yathra.

Acting career

Further information: Rajinikanth filmography

He joined the Madras Film institute in 1973 with the help of a friend and completed a basic course in acting.

1975-1979

Rajanikanth's first film was in Tamil cinema, where he was initially cast in supporting roles, debuting as a cancer patient in Apoorva Raagangal in 1975. The film was directed by K. Balachander, who is constantly referred to by Rajinikanth as his own guru or mentor. The following year, Rajinikanth acted in his first Kannada film, Katha Sangama, directed by Puttanna Kanagal. Though Rajanikanth refers to director K. Balachander as his "guru" or mentor, it was director S. P. Muthuraman who actually revamped Rajanikanth’s image entirely. Muthuraman first experimented with him in a positive role in Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri (1977), as a villain in the first half and a do-gooder in the second, accepting a woman with a child abandoned by her lover.Around this time Mullum Malarum (1978), directed by J. Mahendran, established Rajanikanth on the Tamil film arena. The success of Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri prompted Muthuraman to make a mushy melodrama with Rajanikanth as a hero sacrificing everything for his siblings in Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai (1979). Even while the film was in the making, Rajanikanth had misgivings about whether the audience would accept him in tear jerkers of this kind. But its box-office success made Rajanikanth popular among women audience. These films were the turning points in Rajanikanth’s career — he changed from an actor who merely enthralled the audiences, to one who could also make them cry. The acceptance of Rajanikanth sans his mannerisms proved he had at last become a "star" from a "common actor." His film roles were mainly as a villain during the period 1975 to 1977, frequently with Kamal Hassan as the hero, in movies like Pathinaaru Vayadhinilae , Moondru Mudichu and Avargal (all 1977).

1980-1989

During this phase of his career when he was reaching dazzling heights, Rajinikanth abruptly chose to quit acting, but was coaxed back. He started again with Billa, which was a remake of Amitabh Bachchan starrer Don. With its phenomenal success he was accepted as a full-fledged hero. Billa was followed by a row of hits like Murattukaalai,Pokkiri Raja, Thanikattu Raja, Naan Mahaan Alla, Pudukavithai and Moondru Mugam. K. Balachander’s first home production, Netrikan proved to be yet another milestone in Rajini’s career. . He even acted as himself alongside Meena, who was a child actor then, in the movie Anbulla Rajinikanth (1984). More box-office hits dominated the 80's with Padikkathavan, Thee, Velaikkaran, Dharmathin Thalaivan, Mr. Bharath, Maaveeran, few of them were re-makes of hit Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan starrers. In his 100th movie, Sri Raghavendra, he played the Hindu saint Raghavendra Swami.

1990 to present

Most of his movies during the nineties were also successful, like Mannan, Muthu, Baashha, Annamalai , Veera and Padayappa. Rajinikanth wrote his first screenplay for the film Valli (1993). His film Muthu was the first Tamil film to be dubbed into Japanese as Muthu: The Dancing Maharajah and became very popular in Japan. When he was 53, Baba released amidst much fanfare. Although the film grossed enough to cover its budget, it was viewed as one of the miserable movies in his career. It fell short of market expectations and high bids reportedly accumulating to heavy losses for the distributors. It is also rumoured that Rajinikanth repaid the losses incurred by the distributors who laid immense faith in him. His latest film, Sivaji: The Boss, directed by S. Shankar released on June 15, 2007, has become the first Tamil movie to make the UK and South Africa Top 10. Rajnikanth will now be lending his voice to the lead character (based on himself) in an animation film for Adlabs titled Sultan:The Warrior to be directed by his daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth. The movie is scheduled for a 2008 release. Rajnikanth's next movie with Kavithalaya Productions and produced by his mentor director K.Balachander.This movie is named as "Kuselan". Rajnikanth is going to make another film with Shankar. Robot will be produced by Ayngaran International and EROS.

Other work

Apart from acting in Tamil, Rajinikanth has acted in 173 movies, including Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Bengali. Rajinikanth made a foray into Bollywood with Andha Kanoon but couldn't make as much of an impact as he had in the south. He still made a few films in Hindi, like Chaalbaaz with Sridevi, 'Uttar Dakshin', Girafthar and Hum. He also had a brief stint in Hollywood with the movie Bloodstone in 1988.

Most recently, he played a small cameo role as Tony Montana, in the internet-released spoof soap, Bollyoaks (2008).

Awards and honours

Rajinikanth was named as one of the influential persons in South Asia by Asiaweek. He has won the Filmfare during his acting career.

Between 1977 and 2005 Rajinikanth received awards from several organizations, like Tamil Nadu State Government Award, Cinema Express, Filmfans Association, Filmfare etc., for his on-screen performances and off-screen contributions in writing and producing. He has received awards in the Best Actor category for his performance in the films Sivaji,Chandramukhi,Padayappa, Peddarayudu, Basha, Muthu, Annamalai, Thalapathy, Velaikaran, Sri Raghavendra, Nallavanuku Nallavan, Moondru Mugam, Engeyo Ketta Kural, Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai, Mullum Malarum and 16 Vayathinile. He received an award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri. He has also received awards in Best Story Writer and Best Producer categories for Valli.

He has also received other honours such as Raj Kapoor Award (2007) from the Government of Maharastra, Padma Bhushan (2000) from Government of India.

Recently (September 2007) Rajinikanth won the Best Actor award, given by the Government of Tamil Nadu for his role in the film Chandramukhi(2005). Recently, he has been selected as best movie entertainer in India for the year 2007 by NDTV.

Politics

• 1995 - Announced that he is willing to support the Congress party after meeting Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. An opinion poll conducted by Kumudam magazine predicted that Congress with Rajinikanth support may win up to 130 seats in Tamil Nadu Assembly
• 1996 - Congress decided to align with AIADMK. Rajinikanth supported DMK-TMC alliance. The TMC used the Bicycle as their election symbol and used Rajinikanth's riding Bicycle in Annamalai movie in their posters. Rajinikanth uttered "Even God cannot save Tamilnadu if AIADMK returns to power".
• 1998 Rajinikanth supported the DMK-TMC alliance in parliamentary elections. SUN TV broadcast Rajini's speech throughout the day of the election. AIADMK-BJP alliance won around 30 out of 39 seats riding on sympathy wave generated by Coimbatore bomb blasts.
• 2002 - Rajinikanth undertook a day-long fast to protest Karnataka's decision to not to release Cauvery water to Tamilnadu. Announced that he would contribute 10 Million rupees towards interlinking of Indian rivers scheme. He met Prime Minister Vajpayee and many experts to canvass support for Interlinking Indian rivers scheme.
• 2004 - Supported BJP-AIADMK alliance in Parliamentary elections and quoted PMK's violence and BJP's support to interlinking of Indian rivers as reason for his support. But the alliance failed to win any seats.
• 2008 - Similar to the Cauvery fast in 2002, on the 4th of April Rajinikanth took part in a hunger strike organized by the entire Tamil film industry protesting Karnataka's opposition in the Hogenakkal water project and its result, the security of Tamils and the boycott of Tamil films in the state of Karnataka. Rajinikanth had warned Karnataka politians to make decisions with justice in his speech. In response, Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj demanded an apology from Rajinikanth and threatened that he will not be allowed in the state of Karnataka and all his films will be boycotted.

Political Controversies

• He did not participate in the agitation sponsored by Tamil film artists in Neyveli protesting against Karnataka's refusal to release Cauvery water. Instead he participated in token fasting at Chennai. Bharathiraja who organized agitation attacked him vehemently and assigned bad intentions for his non participation in the agitation.
• PMK leader Ramadas condemned him for smoking and posing with Beedi's in his film Baba. 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. Famous film producers like M. Saravanan accused that cigarette smoking and drinking are shown in all movies and Rajini's film was chosen by the PMK leader because of his popularity in Vanniar areas which is considered PMK bastion. To stop the controversies, Rajini announced that in his future films, he won't act in scenes involving him smoking or drinking. In keeping with his words, he didn't include a single scene of smoking or drinking in his recent films like Chandramukhi and Sivaji - The Boss.
• During the recent hunger strike organized by the Tamil film stars in support of the Hogenekkal drinking water project, he blasted Karnataka politicians over water project. "I unequivocally condemn Karnataka for this reprehensible act of denying us what is rightfully ours. Those who are raising the issue are doing it for the elections. A national political party I respect is forcing me to wonder by its despicable acts whether there is (rule of law) in this country (guaranteed by) the Supreme Court and Who they will listen to." Without naming Yediyurappa, Rajni said "It was a cheap act by a leader of a big national party and an election gimmick. I do not approve it. The party’s (BJP) Tamil Nadu unit is keeping quiet", he added. Further, he appealed to the leaders like Kalaignar, Deve Gowda, Kumarasamy, Yediyuurappa, and Siddharamaiyya to not to flame up this issue for political gains. Rajinikanth requested the Tamil Nadu leaders including Kalaignar that, this issue should be nipped in the bud. Rajini urged the Karnataka politicians to speak the 'Truth' and warned them that the people would teach them lesson if they continue to play with the issue for political gains. "People are equal to God. They cannot be fooled and will not remain silent if you continue to act in such manner", thundered the Superstar.
• Leader of the Pro-Kannada group Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Vattal Nagaraj demanded an apology from Rajinikanth and threatened that he will not be allowed in the state of Karnataka and all his films will be boycotted for Rajinikanth's speech against Kannada politians.

Philanthropic Activities

Rajinikanth is known for philanthropic activities.

• He converted his Raghavendra Marriage Hall to a charitable trust to help the needy.
• He shared his income from the film "Arunachalam" with eight other people from the film industry as profit shares.
• He is planning to construct a new hospital and a new school on a piece of land near Chennai.
• He has distributed Rs 12 Lakhs as relief to the family members of the bereaved in the Coimbatore bomb blast.
• He had donated Rs 21 Lakhs to Tsunami Relief Fund, Government of TamilNadu during Jan 2005 in Person as a cheque to then Chief Minister Ms. J. Jayalalitha.
• Dance choreographer cum director cum actor Lawrence Raghavendra is running a home for differently abled people in Chennai where there are many inmates. It has been reported by the actor that super star Rajinikanth has agreed to completely pay the food expenses of the centre. While talking to the media on this Lawrence said, “I am very thankful to Rajini sir. We all know about his generosity and benevolence but he has reiterated this by agreeing to foot the expenses of food bills of the centre irrespective of its strength."

Further reading

• The Name Is Rajinikanth (2008)

See also

• Rajinikanth filmography
• Sultan: The Warrior

External links

• Rajinikanth at IMDb