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Rajinikanth was born Shivaji Rao Gaikwad on December 12, 1950, and in a career of more than five decades he has made 170 films in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Bangla and Malayalam, according to Wikipedia. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful and popular actors in the history of Indian cinema.
He debuted in K. Balachander's Tamil drama Apoorva Raagangal (1975). Balachander gave him his stage name to avoid confusion with actor Sivaji Ganesan. After early villain roles, his turn as a scorned lover in Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri (1977), followed by Mullum Malarum and Aval Appadithan (both 1978), won critics over.
The action thriller Billa (1980), a remake of Don, was his biggest hit at the time and gave him his action-hero image. He played three roles in Moondru Mugam (1982), made his Hindi debut in Andhaa Kaanoon (1983) and won the Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor for Nallavanukku Nallavan (1984). Shankar's Sivaji (2007) was the first Tamil film to enter the 100 Crore Club. He then played a scientist and his robot double in Enthiran (2010) and its sequel.
Jailer (2023) and Coolie (2025) were both huge hits, making him the only Tamil actor with three films past the ₹500 crore mark. India has honored him with the Padma Bhushan (2000), the Padma Vibhushan (2016) and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2019), the country's highest film honor, as well as the IFFI Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jailer 2, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, reunites him with Hrithik Roshan 40 years after Bhagwan Dada. Read how Jailer 2 hit No. 2 worldwide, and visit the Nelson Dilipkumar and Anirudh Ravichander hubs.
Sources: Wikipedia
Our newest Rajinikanth story, from October 19, 2026, is "Rajinikanth's 'Jailer 2' Hits No. 2 Worldwide, With a Cameo That Was 40 Years in the Making": Only 'Street Fighter' earned more around the world this weekend. Here are the numbers, the record it tied, the Hrithik Roshan reunion fans are talking about and how the ending sets up a third film.
Shivaji Rao Gaikwad. He was born on December 12, 1950 (Wikipedia).
170, in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Bangla and Malayalam (Wikipedia).
The Padma Bhushan (2000), the Padma Vibhushan (2016) and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2019), among others (Wikipedia).
