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Rajinikanth Height, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Caste, Biography & More

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Wife: Latha
Marriage Date: 26 February 1981
Age: 73 Years

Rajinikanth

Bio/Wiki
Real NameShivaji Rao Gaekwad
Nickname(s)Rajinikanth, Thalaiva, Superstar
Profession(s)Actor, Producer, Screenplay Writer, Philanthropist
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.)in centimeters- 173 cm
in meters- 1.73 m
in feet inches- 5’ 8”
Weight (approx.)in kilograms- 75 kg
in pounds- 165 lbs
Body Measurements- Chest: 40 Inches
- Waist: 33 Inches
- Biceps: 12 Inches
Eye ColourDark Brown
Hair ColourWhite (Semi-bald)
Personal Life
Date of Birth12 December 1950 (Tuesday)
Age (as of 2023)73 Years
BirthplaceBengaluru, Mysore State (now Karnataka), India
Zodiac signSagittarius
SignatureRajinikanth signature
NationalityIndian
HometownBengaluru, Karnataka, India
School• Acharya Paathshala in Basavanagudi, Bangalore
• Vivekananda Balaka Sangha
CollegeM.G.R Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu
Educational QualificationDiploma in Acting [1]DC
DebutTamil Film: Apoorva Raagangal (1975)
Apoorva Raagangal
Kannada Film: Katha Sangama (1976)
Katha Sangama
Telugu Film: Anthuleni Katha (1976)
Anthuleni Katha
Bollywood Film: Andha Kanoon (1983)
Andha Kanoon
FamilyFather- Ramoji Rao Gaekwad (Worked as a police constable)
Mother- Jijabai (Homemaker)Rajinikanth parents
Brothers- Satyanarayana Rao (Elder), Nageshwara Rao (Elder)Rajinikanth with his brother Satyanarayana Rao
Sister- Aswath Balubhai (Elder)
ReligionHinduism
AddressA bungalow in Poes Garden, Chennai
Rajinikanth house in Chennai
HobbiesTravelling, Reading, Gardening
Awards/Honours2000: Padma Bhushan
2014: Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year
2016: Padma Vibhushan
2021: On 1 April 2021, the Government of India announced the 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Rajinikanth.
Controversies• In 2014, Rajinikanth got the stay from the Madras High Court to stop the release of Bollywood film 'Main Hoon Rajinikanth.' Later, the name of the film was changed to 'Main Hoon Part-Time Killer.'

• In 2015, the Madras High Court issued a notice to Rajinikanth, on a plea by a financier to take action against the director, Kasthuri Raja, father of actor Dhanush. The financier also claimed that he gave money to Kasthuri Raja after he had used Rajinikanth's name. He wanted Rajinikanth to 'initiate action against his relative for misusing his name without his consent.'Kasthuri Raja with Dhanush
• In 2017, Lyca Productions announced that Rajinikanth will unveil a housing scheme by its charity wing 'Gnanam Foundation' for displaced Tamils in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. After this announcement, the pro-Tamil protested against Rajinikanth's visit.

• In March 2024, Rajinikanth drew backlash for reportedly asking his house help to step aside while posing for paparazzi at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding event in Jamnagar, Gujarat. [2]The Times of India
Favourites
FoodMasala Dosa
Actor(s)Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Sylvester Stallone
ActressesRekha, Hema Malini
FilmVeera Kesari (Kannada)
MusicianIlayaraja
ColourBlack
Book(s)Ponniyin Selvan by Kalki, Amma Vanthal by T. Janakiraman
PoliticianLee Kuan Yew (Former Prime Minister of Singapore)
Social ActivistAnna Hazare
SportCricket
DestinationThe Himalayas
Girls, Affairs and More
Marital StatusMarried
Affairs/Girlfriends Silk Smitha (Actress)
Rajinikanth with Silk Smitha
Latha (Producer, Singer)
Wife/SpouseLatha (M.1981-present)
Rajinikanth with his wife and daughters
Marriage Date26 February 1981
ChildrenSon- None
Daughters- Aishwarya (born in 1982), Soundarya (born in 1984)
Style Quotient
Cars Collection• Premier Padmini Fiat
• Chevrolet Tavera
• Toyota Innova
• Ambassador
• Honda Civic
• Lamborghini Urus
Rajinikanth driving Lamborghini Urus
• BMW X7
Rajinikanth after receiving BMW X7 as a gift from Kalanithi Maran
Note: In September 2023, Kalanithi Maran, the chairman of Sun Pictures production house, celebrated the success of the film 'Jailer' by presenting Rajinikanth with a BMW X7 as a gift. He brought both a BMW X7 and a BMW i7 EV to Rajinikanth's residence and asked him to choose between the two. Rajinikanth ultimately opted for the BMW X7. [3]Hindustan Times
Bikes CollectionSuzuki Hayabusa, Suzuki Intruder M1800 RZ
Money Factor
Salary₹40-45 crore/film
Net Worth $55 million

Rajinikanth

Some Lesser Known Facts About Rajinikanth

  • Does Rajinikanth smoke?: No (Quit)
  • Does Rajinikanth drink alcohol?: Yes
  • Rajnikanth is a Maharashtrian by birth and not a Tamilian, though his ancestors hailed from both Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
  • He lost his mother at a young age after which he was raised by his father and his elder brothers.

    Rajinikanth childhood photo

    Rajinikanth childhood photo

  • He was a very naughty kid in his childhood.
  • Before becoming an actor he did odd jobs in Chennai and Bengaluru such as a carpenter, a coolie, and a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service (BTS). As a bus conductor, he used to get ₹750/month.
  • His friend, Raj Bahadur, used to give him funds to learn acting in a film institution in Chennai.

    Rajinikanth in younger days

    Rajinikanth in younger days

  • As he was keen on acting, he joined the Madras Film Institute, and during one of his stage performances, he met the director, K Balachander, who offered him a role in his Tamil film. Until that time, he was not good at speaking Tamil, but he quickly learned it and master the language.

    Rajinikanth with K Balachander

    Rajinikanth with K Balachander

  • He made his acting debut alongside Kamal Haasan in Tamil film ‘Apoorva Raagangal‘ (1975).

    Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan in Apoorva Raagangal

    Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan in Apoorva Raagangal

  • For the initial two years of his acting career, he got recognised for his negative roles, until he got the lead role in the Telugu film ‘Chilakamma Cheppindi‘ (1977).
  • His first commercial success was ‘Billa’ (1980), a remake of Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Don’ (1978).

    Rajinikanth's Billa is remake of Don

    Rajinikanth’s Billa is a remake of Don

  • He met his wife Latha, when a group of college girls came to take his interview, where Latha was leading the group. Rajinikanth got so much attracted to Latha that he proposed her on the same day.
  • In his 100th film, he played the role of a Hindu saint ‘Raghavendra Swami’ in the film ‘Sri Raghavendra‘ (1985).

    Rajinikanth played the role of Raghavendra Swami

    Rajinikanth played the role of Raghavendra Swami

  • In 1988, Rajinikanth did his first and only English film ‘Bloodstone,’ an Indian-American action-adventure film.

    Rajinikanth acted in Bloodstone

    Rajinikanth acted in Bloodstone

  • His film ‘Raaja Chinna Roja‘ (1989), was the first Tamil film to use animation.

    Rajinikanth starred in Raaja Chinna Roja

    Rajinikanth starred in Raaja Chinna Roja

  • His only film that was released with a U/A certificate was ‘Thalapathi‘ (1991).
  • In 2002, he did a day-long fast to protest the Karnataka Government’s decision not to release water from the river Kaveri into Tamil Nadu. Also in 2008, he participated in a day-long fast with other Tamil film personalities, demanding that the Sri Lankan government must end the civil war and give Sri Lankan Tamils their rights.

    Rajinikanth fast in 2002

    Rajinikanth fast in 2002

  • In 2007, he became the highest paid Asian actor after Jackie Chan, when he was paid ₹26 crore for the film ‘Sivaji.’
  • His science fiction film ‘Enthiran‘ (English – Robot) was supposed to be done by Kamal Haasan.
  • Rajinikanth was named as the Most Influential Indian of 2010, by Forbes India.
  • He made a special appearance in Shah Rukh Khan‘s Sci-Fi film, ‘Ra.One‘ (2011).

  • In 2011, he supported social activist Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement and offered him to use of his marriage hall, Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam in Chennai.
  • Since 1995, he goes to the Himalayas after every film.

    Rajinikanth in Himalayas

    Rajinikanth in the Himalayas

  • He doesn’t meet people after 9 pm.
  • Rajinikanth is very punctual and reaches all his shootings before time.
  • He is known for his humble nature, simplicity, and down to earth personality.

    Rajinikanth lives very simple life

    Rajinikanth lives a very simple life

  • He has a God-like stature in South India.
    Rajinikanth is worshipped by his fans

    Rajinikanth is worshipped by his fans

    In 2023, a person named Karthi, residing in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, constructed a temple at his home which he dedicated to Rajinikanth. This temple was a testament to Karthi’s profound admiration and respect for Rajinikanth. The temple showcased a 250 kg idol of the actor.

    The temple of Rajinikanth built by Karthi, a fan of Rajinikanth, at his house in Madurai, Tamil Nadu

    The temple of Rajinikanth built by Karthi, a fan of Rajinikanth, at his house in Madurai, Tamil Nadu

  • Meena is the only actress who has worked with him as a child actor and as his heroine.

    Rajinikanth with Meena

    Rajinikanth with Meena

  • His fans celebrate his birthday (12 December) as ‘World Style Day‘ or ‘International Style Day.’
  • His spiritual guru was, Swami Satchidananda, the founder of Integral Yoga.

    Rajinikanth with Swami Satchidananda

    Rajinikanth with Swami Satchidananda

  • He has acted alongside Sripriya in more than 27 movies, the most with any actress.

    Rajinikanth and Sripriya

    Rajinikanth and Sripriya

  • He paid the losses of his distributors when his films ‘Baba’ (2002), and ‘Kuselan’ (2008), failed at the box office.
  • He is the owner of Raghavendra Mandapam marriage hall in Chennai.

    Rajinikanth owns Raghavendra Mandapam marriage hall in Chennai

    Rajinikanth owns Raghavendra Mandapam marriage hall in Chennai

  • His much famous style of tossing cigarette came from an incidence when he wanted to join a gang in his school days, as they were his seniors so they refused, after which he thought he would impress the guys with this trick. He used to practice this trick in the bushes of the school.
  • He is the first Indian actor to have featured in black & white, coloured, animated, and 3D film.

    Rajinikanth in 4 different forms of filming

    Rajinikanth in 4 different forms of filming

  • On 25 October 2021, he was honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the Government of India. The award was presented to him by the  Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu. The actor dedicated his award to his mentor K Balachander, his brother Sathyanarayana Rao Gaikwad and his bus driver-friend Raj Bahadur. After receiving the award, in a short speech, he said,

    I dedicate this award to my guru and mentor K Balachander sir, and I remember him with gratitude. I also dedicate this to my my brother Thiru Sathyanarayana Rao Gaikwad, who was a father figure to me, and raised me with great values instilling spirituality in me. Raj Bahadur was the first person to identify the acting talent in me when I was a bus conductor, and encouraged me to enter the world of cinema. I’d also like to thank all my producers, directors, technicians, co-artistes, distributors, media and the press. They are the Gods who keep me living.”

    Rajinikanth receiving the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award

    Rajinikanth receiving the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award

  • In 2023, Rajinikanth again became India’s highest-paid actor. As per reports, he received a total payment of Rs. 210 crores for his leading role in the film ‘Jailer’ which included Rs. 100 crores for his involvement in the project. [4]The Times of India

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