Rajinikanth
From Open Encyclopedia
Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, more popularly known as Rajnikanth, is an Indian film actor working mainly in the Tamil film industry. He is one of Asia's highest-paid actors and is considered to be one of the most popular Tamil film stars that his fans call him the Super Star of Tamil Cinema.
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Early life
Rajinikanth was born on December 12 1949 in Karnataka, India. He was the fourth child to his parents Ramabai and Ramoji Rao Gaekwad. He lost his mother at the age of five. He had his schooling at the Acharya Patasala in Bangalore and then at the Vivekananda Balak Sangh, a unit of the Ramakrishna Mission.
Before starting his career in the film industry, he had to take up all sorts of odd jobs. He served as a bus conductor for Karnataka state transport corporation in Bangalore. It was during this time that he nurtured his acting interests by performing in various stage plays.
Acting career
Powered by a strong desire to become an actor, Rajinikanth went to Madras, the tinsel town of Tamil Cinema. He was helped by a friend to join the Madras Film institute and completed his acting course in 1974.
Rajinikanth got his first break in movies when he played a small role as a cancer patient in the movie Apoorva Raagangal (1975). This film was directed by K. Balachandar, whom Rajinikanth considers his mentor, and who named him Rajnikanth. This movie also starred Kamal Hassan in the lead role, who became one of his closest friends. The movie that fetched Rajinikanth a wide recognition was Moondru Mudichu (1976), in which he played the role of a cruel womanizer. He followed it up with movies like 16 Vayadhinile , Gayathri, which cast him in villainous and anti-hero roles. Director S. P. Muthuraman first experimented with him in a positive role in Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri, in which Rajinikanth played a villain in the first half and a refined man in the second. Then Rajinikanth slowly moved on to playing positive and character roles in movies like Mullum malarum, Arilirundhu arubathu varai. Films Billa, Pokkiri raja and the like saw him playing stylish action roles while Murattu kalai, Payum puli and Moondru mugam took him to dizzy heights. He was also good at comedy as can be seen in Thillu mullu (1981). But the most unique among his movies was Sri Raghavendra (1985) —his 100th film— which was a biographical portrait of Hindu saint Raghavendra Swami.Some of the best dramatic movies of Mr.Rajinikanth would be pudhu kavithai and aarulirundhu arubadhuvarai.In pudhukavithai,he depicts a person who has lost his lady love and roams as a drunkard in the roads of bangalore,and their reunion is picturised in the best way possible.The sweet romance feel is given by none other than the Maestro illayaraja.
The late 1980s saw him doing more and more action oriented family entertrainers like Velaikkaran, Manidhan, Dharmathin thalaivan, etc., and it was never looking back for Rajinikanth. His movies made in the 1990s became mass blockbusters. Some of these include Annamalai, Baasha, Padayappa. These movies also had a tinge of politics.
His Latest movie Chandramuki (April 2005) has been breaking box office records all over Tamil Nadu after his previous movie Baba (2002) was not so successful. His next film Sivaji is to be directed by S. Shankar.
Rajinikanth is popular for his flamboyant dialogue delivery and characteristic mannerisms. While contemporary actor Kamal Hassan selects performance oriented roles, Rajinikanth's movies has been mass entertainers. His movies invariably has a 'good win over evil' theme with entertaining action sequences, catchy songs and good natured humour, which makes his films liked by people of all age groups and all walks of life.
Rajinikanth has acted in over 170 films including movies in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Bengali. He has also acted in one Hollywood movie (Blood stone in 1988). He has acted along with notable actors like Sivaji Ganesan, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Hassan, Mammooty and Sridevi. He has worked with famous directors like Mani Ratnam and Bharatiraja.
Rajinikanth and spirituality
Rajinikanth espouses a spiritual outlook towards life, both in the roles he plays in movies as well as his personal life. He has claimed tutelage from Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Sri Raghavendra. Rajinikanth frequently makes pilgrimages to shrines in the Himalayas and Rishikesh. He is seen as a well-rounded person by his fans, partly due to his espousal of spiritual causes.
Influence in politics
Rajinikanth has played a role in Tamil Nadu politics as well. In 1996, he was important in the defeat of the ruling AIADMK party in the Tamilnadu assembly elections. His one interview on Sun TV, popular Tamil language network, proclaimed him King-maker when he supported the DMK-TMC combine and helped them come to power. Amid speculations about him participating in future elections, he continues to act in films and keep reasonably away from politics.
He was rated as one of the most influential persons in South Asia by Asiaweek.
Punch Dialogues
Thalaivar(Leader)Rajinikanth, as he's popularly known by fans, his movies are known for their punch dialogues, which are "one-liners" in the movie and repeated by him in the movie after/before a cinematic triumph.
Popular Lines:
1. "Naan oru dhatavai sonna,Adhu nooru dhatavai sonna madhiri" (roughly translates to - "If I say it once its equivalent to saying it a hundred times") - in the movie "Baasha"
2."Aandavan Solran Arunachalam Mudickiran" (translation - "God tells me, Arunachalam finishes it") -in the movie "Arunachalam".
3."Adhighama Aasappadra Aambleyum Adhighama Kovappedra Pombleyum Nalla Vaazhntha Charithrame Kedayadhu" (translation - "History depicts that-Man who is greedy and woman who has more anger hasn't lived a pleasant life") - in the movie"Padayappa".
4."En vazhi , thani vazhi" (translation - 'My way is a a unique way') - in the movie "Padayappa".
5. "Naan solratha seivan, seiratha thaan solluven" (translation- I do what I say, I say only what I do) - movie "Manithan".
6. "Laka Laka Laka Laka Laka Laka....."- movie "Chandramukhi".
7. "Idhu Eppadi Irukku" (translation- How is it?) - movie "16 Vayadhiniley".
8. "Naan solrathaiyum seiyuvaen, sollaatha thaiyum seivaen" (translation - I will do what I say, sometimes I will do that I won't reveal at first).
9. "Yaen paera kaettaa, vaiyithila yirukkira pulla, oru kaiyaala than vaaya moodi kittu, matha kaiyaala thaan amma vaaya moodum".(translation - If my name is heard, baby in his/her mothers womb would close it's mouth with one hand and close the mouth of his/her mother's mouth with the other hand) - in the movie 'Moondru Mugam'
10. "Naan Baba, yaentha pakkamum saaiyaatha Baba" (translation- My name is 'Baba', not a lap dog) - movie "Baba".
11. "Anger is the reason for all miseries, One should know how to control it, otherwise life will become miserable" - Padayappa.
12. "Aasanja adikirathu wungga policy, aassaiyamma adikirathu BABA policy" - BABA 13."GATHAM GATHAM,MUDINJITHU MUDINTHUPOCHU"-BABA
Family
Rajinikanth married Latha on 26 February 1981.The wedding took place in the holy temple at Tirupathi. He has two daughters, Aishwarya and Sowndarya. His first daughter Aishwarya, a lawyer, married Dhanush, an upcoming actor on November 18 2004.
Filmography
1. Apoorva Raagangal
2. Katha Sangama
3. Anthuleni Katha
4. Moondru Mudichu
5. Baalu Jenu
6. Avargal
7. Kavikkuyil
8. Raghupathi Raghavan Rajaram
9. Chilakamma Cheppindi
10. Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri
11. Ondu Premada Kathe
12. 16 Vayadhiniley
13. Sahodara Saval
14. Aadu Puli Attam
15. Gaayathri
16. Kumkuma Rakshe
17. Aarupushpangal
18. Tholireyi Gadichindi
19. Aame Katha
20. Galatta Samsara
21. Shankar Salim Simon
22. Killad Kittu
23. Annadammula Savaal
24. Aayiram Janmangal
25. Maathu Tappadamaga
26. Mangudi Minor
27. Bairavi
28. Ilamai Oonjaladukirathu
29. Sadurangam
30. Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye
31. Vayasu Pilichindi
32. Mullum Malarum
33.. Iraivan Kodutha Varam
34. Thappida Thala
35. Thappu Thalangal
36. Aval Appadithan
37. Thai Meethu Sathiyam
38. En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
39. Justice Gopinath
40. Priya
41. Priya
42. Kuppathu Raja
43. Iddaru Asadhyule
44. Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum
45. Ninaithale Inikkum
46. Andhamaina Anubhavam
47. Allaudinaum Arputha Vilakkum
48. Dharma Yuddam
49. Naan Vazhavaippen
50. Tiger
51. Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai
52. Annai Oru Alayam
53. Amma Evarikkaina Amma
54. Billa
55. Ram Robert Rahim
56. Anbukku Naan Adimai
57. Kali
58. Mayadari Krishnudu
59. Naan Potta Saval
60. Jhonny
61. Kali
62. Ellam Un Kairasi
63. Pollathavan
64. Murattu Kalai
65. Thee
66. Kazhugu
67. Thillu Mullu
68. Garjanai
69. Garjanam
70. Netrikan
71. Garjane
72. Ranuva Veeran
73. Pokkiri Raja
74. Thanikattu Raja
75. Ranga
76. Puthukavithai
77. Enkeyo Ketta Kural
78. Moondru Mugam (1982)
79. Paayum Puli (1982)
80. Thudikkum Karangal (1983)
81. Andhaa Kaanoon
82. Thai Veedu (1983)
83. Sivappu Suriyan (1983)
84. Jeet Hamaari
85. Adutha Varisu (1983)
86. Thanga Magan (1983)
87. Meri Adaalat
88. Naan Mahaan Alla (1984)
89. Thambikku Entha Ooru (1984)
90. Kai Kodukkum Kai (1984)
91. Ethe Naasaval
92. Anbulla Rajinikanth (1984)
93. Gangvaa
94. Nallavanuku Nallavan (1984)
95. John Jani Janardhan
96. Naan Sikappu Manithan (1985)
97. Mahaguru
98. Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal (1985)
99. Wafadaar
100. Sri Raghavendra (1985)
101. Bewafai
102 Padikkadavan (1985)
103 Mr.Bharath (1986)
104 Nann Adimai Illai (1986)
105 Jeevana Poratam
106 Viduthalai (1986)
107 Bhagawann Dada
108 Asli Naqli
109 Dosti Dhushman
110 Maaveeran (1986)
111 Velaikaran (1987)
112 Insaff Kaun Karega
113 Oorkavalan (1987)
114 Manithan (1987)
115 Uttar Dakshan (1988)
116 Tamacha (1988)
117 Guru Sishyan (1988)
118 Dharmathin Thalaivan (1988)
119 BloodStone (1988)
120 Kodi Parakuthu (1988)
121 Rajathi Raja (1989)
122 Siva (1989)
123 Raja Chinna Roja (1989)
124 Mappillai (1989)
125 Bhrashtachar
126 Chaalbaaz
127. Panakkaran (1990)
128 Athisaya Piravi (1990)
129 Dharmadorai (1991)
130 Hum
131 Farishtay
132 Khoon Ka Karz
133 Phool Bane Angaray
134. Nattukku Oru Nallavan (1991)
135. Dalapathi (1991)
136. Mannan (1992)
137. Tyagi
138. Annamalai (1992)
139. Pandiyan (1992)
140. Insaniyat Ke Devta
141. Yejaman (1993)
142. Uzhaippali (1993)
143. Valli
144. Veera (1994)
145. Baasha (1995)
146. Peddarayudu
146. Aatank Hi Aatank (1995) (Hindi)
148. Muthu (1995)
149. Bhagyadevta
150. Arunachalam (1997)
151. Padaiyappa (1999)
152. Baba (2002)
153. Chandramukhi (2005)
154. Sivaji - The Boss (announced)
