Rajinikanth (12 December 1950) was an Indian actor, producer, and screenwriter. He works in Tamil Cinema. He acted in more than 170 films. These include films in Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam.
EARLY LIFE
He was born on 12 December 1950, in Bangalore, India. His father Ramoji Rao was a police constable. When he was at the age of 10, his mother Jijabai died. He completed his primary education at the Gavipuram Government Kannada Model Primary School in Bangalore. As a child, he was interested in Cricket, Football, and Basketball. During this time, his brother enrolled him at the Ramakrishna Math. In math, he was taught Vedas, tradition, and history, which eventually instilled a sense of spirituality in him. He also begins acting in plays at the math. His aspiration towards theatre grew at math and was once given an opportunity to enact the role of Ekalavya’s friend from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. His performance in the play received praise from the Kannada poet D. R. Bendre.
Later, after doing various odd jobs he was employed as a bus conductor with the Bangalore Transport Service. He later joined the Madras Film Institute
ACTING CAREER
In 1975, Rajinikanth made his debut in the film ‘Apoorva Raagangal’, directed by K. Balachander, he played the minor role of the ex-husband of the female in the film which went on to win a national award.
He followed this with the Kannada film ‘Katha Sangama’ directed by Puttanna Kanagal, and the Telugu film ‘Anthuleni Katha’ directed by Balachander.
He also played negative roles in some movies like the film Moondru Mudichu, in which he played the role of a friend who creates trouble between Kamal Haasan and Sridevi. The movie became a hit and established Rajinikanth as a supervillain.
In 1977, the film ‘Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri’ directed by S.P. Muthuraman. Muthuraman made more than two dozen films with Rajinikanth.
In 1978, he the film ‘Bairavi’, in which he played the role of the main hero. He made his debut in Malayalam cinema in, ‘Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum’.
In 1981, He married Latha Rangachari. His reputation as a bankable star began to grow in the 1980s. Some of his popular films over the years include ‘Thalapathi’ in 1991. ‘Annamalai’ in 1992. ‘Padayappa’ in 1999. ‘Chandramukhi’ In 2005. ‘Sivaji’ In 2007, a Tamil film directed by Shankar. And ‘Endhiran’ of 2010 film directed by Shankar.
AWARDS
In 2000, he received the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India. He received Filmfare Award nominations for his performances in Sivaji (2007) and Enthiran (2010).
In 2016, he received Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India.
Read More: 11 December in Indian and World History