Description

Rajinikanth (born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad 12December 1950) is an Indian film actor, media personality, andcultural icon. He began acting in plays while working in theBangalore Transport Service as a bus conductor. In 1973, he joinedthe Madras Film Institute to pursue a diploma in acting. Followinghis debut in K. Balachander's Tamil drama Apoorva Raagangal (1975),his acting career commenced with a brief phase of portrayingantagonistic characters in Tamil films. After establishing himselfas a lead actor in a number of commercially successful films, hebegan to be referred to as a "superstar" and has since continued tohold a matinée idol status in the popular culture of Tamil Nadu.His mannerisms and stylised delivery of dialogue in filmscontribute to his mass popularity and appeal.

After earning ₹26 crore (equivalent to ₹43 crore or US$6.5million in 2015) for his role in Sivaji (2007), he was the highestpaid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan at the time. While working inother regional film industries of India, Rajinikanth has alsoappeared in the cinemas of other nations, including that of theUnited States. As of 2014, Rajinikanth has won six Tamil Nadu StateFilm Awards—four Best Actor Awards and two Special Awards for BestActor—and a Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. In addition to acting,he has also worked as a producer and screenwriter. Apart from hisfilm career, he is also a philanthropist, spiritualist, and servesas an influence in Dravidian politics. The Government of Indiahonoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 2000. At the 45thInternational Film Festival of India (2014), he was conferred withthe "Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year".