Introduction

Superstar Rajinikanth is way more than just an actor – he is almost considered as a God especially when it comes to his huge fan following down South. Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, known professionally as Rajinikanth, is an Indian actor who works primarily in Tamil cinema. In addition to acting, he has also worked as a producer and screenwriter. He has won many awards, including four Tamil Nadu State Film Best Actor Awards and a Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. 

Childhood

Rajinikanth was born as Shivaji Rao Gaekwad on December 12, 1950 in a Marathi family in Bangalore. He was named after the Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji. Rajinikanth was the fourth child of Jijabai and Ramojirao Gaekwad, who was a police constable. In the initial years of his childhood and youth, he struggled a lot due to financial issues. Though he came from a Marathi background, Rajinikanth has not acted in any Marathi films as yet. 

Struggle

At the start of his career, he took up a number of odd jobs including being a carpenter and a coolie. He was later employed by Bangalore Transport Service (BTS), where he worked as a bus conductor. He then began to take part in stage plays. He was also offered a part in playwright Topi Muniappa’s mythological plays. It was during this time that he came across an advert for acting classes at the Madras Film Institute and decided to join against the wishes of his family. His friend and co-worker Raj Bahadur supported him financially during his course. During one of his onstage performances at the institute,Tamil film director K Balachander noticed him and advised him to learn Tamil, which Rajinikanth followed without delay. 

Debut Film

He made his debut in Tamil cinema with ‘Apoorva Raagangal’ (1975), where he played a supporting role of an abusive husband opposite Srividya. The movie was well received and went on to win three National Awards. The following year he forayed into Kannada films with ‘Katha Sangama’, directed by Puttanna Kanagal. Director S. P. Muthuraman revamped Rajinikanth’s onscreen image entirely and first experimented with him in ‘Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri’ (1977) in a slightly negative role in the first half of he film and later as a protagonist. Soon after, J. Mahendran’s ‘Mullum Malarum’ established Rajinikanth in Tamil cinema. Banking in on the success of ‘Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri’, Muthuraman made melodrama ‘Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai’, where Rajinikanth played a hero who sacrifices everything for his siblings. This was the turning point in his career, where he went from an actor to a performer who not only enthralled his audience but moved them to tears. 

Career

Between 1975 to 1977, Rajinikanth took up a number of villainous roles in films like ‘16 Vayadhinilae’, ‘Moondru Mudichu’ and ‘Avargal’. Towards the end of the 80s, Rajinikanth had gained immense popularity down South. He suddenly decided to take a break and quit acting, but was coaxed back. He made a comeback with ‘Billa’, which was remake of Bollywood film, ‘Don’. His double role made the film a huge commercial success. ‘Billa’ was followed by a row of hits like ‘Murattukaalai’, ‘Pokkiri Raja’, ‘Thanikattu Raja’, ‘Naan Mahaan Alla’, ‘Pudukavithai’ and Moondru Mugam. K. Balachander’s first home production, ‘Netrikan’ proved to be yet another milestone in Rajinikanth’s career. Some of his hits in the 80s included ‘Padikkathavan’, ‘Thee’, ‘Velaikaran’, ‘Dharmathin Thalaivan’, ‘Mr. Bharath’, and ‘Maaveeran’. His 100th film ‘Sri Raghavendra’ saw him playing the Hindu Saint Raghavendra Swami. In 1983, Rajinikanth made his Bollywood debut with ‘Andha Kanoon’ along with Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini. The film was well received and went on to become the highest-grossing film at that time. 

Awards

When it comes to award and accolades, Rajinikanth has won more than his fair share. He has won six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards – four Best Actor Awards and two Special Awards for Best Actor – and a Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. The Government of India has honored him with the Padma Bhushan (2000) and the Padma Vibhushan (2016). He received the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema at the 4th Vijay Awards. At the 45th International Film Festival of India (2014), he was conferred with the "Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year". At the 50th edition of the International Film Festival of India (2019), he was honoured with the Icon of Global Jubilee award. 

📜Conclusion:-

Never Forever, Give Up..!!!