Introduction
Rajinikanth, whose real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, is one of the most popular actors in Indian cinema. Before entering the film industry, he worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service.
He pursued a diploma in acting from the Madras Film Institute and entered the film industry in the 1970s. Over the years, he has built a massive fan following, especially in South India. His unique style, dialogue delivery, fashion sense, and action sequences have made him a popular figure among audiences.
Rajinikanth has worked in several Indian languages and has appeared in numerous successful films throughout his career. Rajinikanth is also known for his philanthropic work and has supported various social causes over the years.
According to media reports, Rajinikanth’s estimated net worth is around $50–55 million (approximately ₹430–500 crore). His reported acting fee can vary depending on the project.
Rajinikanth Wiki/Bio
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Shivaji Rao Gaekwad |
| Nick Name | Rajinikanth, Thalaivar, Superstar |
| Date of Birth | 12 December 1950 |
| Age | 75 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Hometown | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birth Sign | Sagittarius |
| Profession | Actor, Film Producer |
Physical Appearance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5’8” |
| Weight | 75 kg |
| Body Measurements | Biceps – 12 inches, Chest – 40 inches, Waist – 33 inches |
| Hair Color | White, semi-bald |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Rajinikanth Education
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| School | Acharya Paathshala, Basavanagudi, Bangalore; Vivekananda Balaka Sangha |
| College/Institute | Madras Film Institute |
| Qualification | Diploma in Acting |
| Hobbies | Gardening, reading and travelling |
Rajinikanth completed his schooling in Bengaluru and later pursued acting training at the Madras Film Institute. His formal acting education played an important role in helping him prepare for a career in cinema.
Rajinikanth Family
| Family Member | Name |
|---|---|
| Father | Ramoji Rao Gaekwad |
| Mother | Jijabai |
| Brothers | Nageshwara Rao, Satyanarayana Rao |
| Sister | Aswath Balubhai |
| Wife | Latha Rajinikanth |
| Daughters | Aishwarya Rajinikanth, Soundarya Rajinikanth |
Rajinikanth’s father, Ramoji Rao Gaekwad, worked as a police constable, while his mother, Jijabai, was a homemaker.
Rajinikanth has two elder brothers, Nageshwara Rao and Satyanarayana Rao, and an elder sister, Aswath Balubhai. Rajinikanth lost his mother at a young age. His father and siblings supported him as he grew up.
Rajinikanth Marriage and Wife
Rajinikanth met Latha Parthasarathy while she was part of a team that came to interview him. According to accounts of their relationship, he developed feelings for her and proposed to her.
Rajinikanth and Latha got married on 26 February 1981 in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The couple has two daughters, Aishwarya and Soundarya.
Latha Rajinikanth has also been involved in social and creative activities over the years.
Rajinikanth’s Early Life
Rajinikanth was born on 12 December 1950 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. His early life was not connected to the film industry.
Before becoming an actor, he worked at different jobs to earn a living, including working as a coolie and carpenter. He later joined the Bangalore Transport Service as a bus conductor.
During this period, his interest in acting continued to grow. He eventually joined an acting course at the Madras Film Institute, which helped him take his first major step toward the film industry.
Rajinikanth’s Career
Rajinikanth’s acting career began in the 1970s. He came into contact with filmmaker K. Balachander, who recognized his talent and gave him an opportunity in cinema.
He initially faced challenges with the Tamil language, but he worked on his language skills and quickly adapted to the demands of the industry.
He made his film debut with Apoorva Raagangal, which starred Kamal Haasan and was directed by K. Balachander. His early roles often included negative or supporting characters, but his distinctive screen presence and acting style helped him gain recognition.
Over the years, he established himself as one of the biggest stars in Indian cinema. His career has included films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi.
Rajinikanth Movies
Katha Sangama
Katha Sangama was a Kannada-language film directed and scripted by Puttanna Kanagal. The film marked Rajinikanth’s entry into Kannada cinema.
The movie featured Kalyan Kumar, Aarathi, Gangadhar, Rajinikanth, and Kutty Padmini. It was released on 23 January 1976.
He played a negative character in the film.
Anthuleni Katha
Anthuleni Katha was a Telugu-language film directed and written by K. Balachander. It was released on 27 February 1976.
The film featured Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan and became an early milestone in Rajinikanth’s career in Telugu cinema.
Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum
Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum was a bilingual Malayalam-Tamil film directed by I. V. Sasi.
The film starred Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Sripriya, and Jayabharathi. It was released in Malayalam on 14 April 1979 and in Tamil on 8 June 1979.
He played the character of Kamaruddin, a commander of Baghdad’s armed forces.
Andhaa Kaanoon
Andhaa Kaanoon was a Hindi-language action film directed by T. Rama Rao. The film featured Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Hema Malini, Madhavi, Reena Roy, and Amrish Puri.
The film hit theatres on 8 April 1983 and featured Rajinikanth as Vijay Kumar Singh. In the story, he seeks revenge after members of his family die.
Nallavanukku Nallavan
S. P. Muthuraman directed the Tamil-language action film Nallavanukku Nallavan. The movie hit theatres on 22 October 1984 under the AVM Productions banner.
Rajinikanth played the lead role, and the film also featured Radhika. His performance in the movie received recognition, and he won the Filmfare Award South for Best Actor.
Recent Blockbusters and New Movies
Rajinikanth continued his successful run with films such as Jailer (2023), which became a major box-office success.
He later appeared in Vettaiyan (2024), an action drama that also featured Amitabh Bachchan. In 2025, he starred in Coolie, an action thriller directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj.
These films have continued Rajinikanth’s long-standing association with large-scale commercial cinema.
Rajinikanth’s Spiritual Side
Rajinikanth has often spoken about spirituality and its importance in his life. Swami Satchidananda was one of the spiritual figures associated with his journey.
His interest in spirituality has remained an important part of his public personality alongside his film career.
Rajinikanth Favorite Things
| Category | Favorite |
|---|---|
| Actors | Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan and Sylvester Stallone |
| Actresses | Hema Malini and Rekha |
| Musician | Ilaiyaraaja |
| Food | Masala Dosa |
| Color | Black |
| Social Activist | Anna Hazare |
| Sport | Cricket |
Rajinikanth Net Worth
Media reports estimate Rajinikanth’s net worth at around $50–55 million, or approximately ₹430–500 crore.
His income comes mainly from acting, film projects, endorsements, and other professional activities. His reported fee per movie can vary significantly depending on the project and production.
Some reports estimate Rajinikanth’s acting fee at around ₹125–200 crore per movie. However, these figures are not officially confirmed and may vary from one film to another.
Rajinikanth has also supported various charitable causes and taken part in philanthropic activities over the years.
Rajinikanth‘s Career Highlights
He has built a career spanning more than five decades. From working as a bus conductor to becoming one of India’s most recognized film stars, Rajinikanth’s journey reflects his distinctive performances and strong connection with audiences.
His unique dialogue delivery, screen presence, style, and action sequences have become closely associated with his identity as an actor.
Films such as Jailer, Vettaiyan, and Coolie have also kept him connected with contemporary Indian cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rajinikanth’s real name?
Rajinikanth’s real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad.
What is Rajinikanth’s age?
Rajinikanth was born on 12 December 1950 and is 75 years old as of 2026.
Who is Rajinikanth’s wife?
Rajinikanth’s wife is Latha Rajinikanth. They got married on 26 February 1981.
How many children does Rajinikanth have?
Rajinikanth and Latha have two daughters, Aishwarya Rajinikanth and Soundarya Rajinikanth.
What was Rajinikanth’s first movie?
Rajinikanth made his film debut with Apoorva Raagangal in 1975, directed by K. Balachander.
What was Rajinikanth’s job before acting?
Before becoming an actor, Rajinikanth worked at different jobs, including as a coolie and carpenter. He later worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service.
What is Rajinikanth’s net worth?
Media reports estimate Rajinikanth’s net worth at around $50–55 million, or approximately ₹430–500 crore.
