Rajinikanth

Acting

Rajinikanth

Born 1950-12-12 · Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Rajinikanth (born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad on December 12, 1950) is an Indian actor, producer, and screenwriter who works primarily in Tamil cinema. Born in Bangalore (now Bengaluru) to a Marathi Hindu family, he worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service before joining the Madras Film Institute to pursue a diploma in acting. He made his cinematic debut with a brief but impactful antagonistic role in K. Balachander's Tamil drama *Apoorva Raagangal* (1975). Often referred to universally as "Superstar" or simply "Thalaivar" (Leader), Rajinikanth has established himself as one of the most successful, influential, and highest-paid actors in the history of Indian cinema, known for his unique acting style, distinct line delivery, and charismatic screen presence. After beginning his career primarily portraying villains and anti-heroes, he gradually transitioned to lead roles, achieving massive stardom in the late 1970s and 1980s. His collaborations with director S. P. Muthuraman in films like *Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri* (1977), *Murattu Kaalai* (1980), and *Nallavanuku Nallavan* (1984) firmly cemented his status as a leading action hero. The 1990s witnessed him delivering monumental, industry-defining blockbusters that achieved unprecedented box office success, most notably Suresh Krissna's *Annamalai* (1992) and *Baasha* (1995), K. S. Ravikumar's *Muthu* (1995)—which gained a massive cult following in Japan—and *Padayappa* (1999). His unique ability to blend high-octane action, mass appeal, and spiritual philosophy in his films made him an unparalleled phenomenon across the country. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Rajinikanth continued his unparalleled box-office reign, consistently pushing the boundaries of Indian commercial cinema. He delivered gargantuan blockbusters including P. Vasu's horror-comedy *Chandramukhi* (2005) and reunited with director Shankar for the spectacular successes *Sivaji: The Boss* (2007) and the science-fiction epics *Enthiran* (2010) and its sequel *2.0* (2018). His performances in Pa. Ranjith's politically charged dramas *Kabali* (2016) and *Kaala* (2018), and Karthik Subbaraj's stylish *Petta* (2019), were highly praised for combining his quintessential swagger with substantive character depth. Honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2000, the Padma Vibhushan in 2016, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award—India's highest award in the field of cinema—in 2021, he is a cultural icon whose fandom transcends generations. In his seventies, Rajinikanth continues to headline colossal projects and rewrite box-office records. In 2023, he starred in Nelson Dilipkumar's blockbuster actioner *Jailer*, which emerged as one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time. His 2024 releases include a prominent extended cameo as Moideen Bhai in his daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth's *Lal Salaam* and the lead role in T. J. Gnanavel's action-drama *Vettaiyan*. His highly anticipated upcoming slate includes Lokesh Kanagaraj's massive action thriller *Coolie*, slated for a worldwide release in August 2025. Furthermore, he is set to reunite with Nelson Dilipkumar for the massive sequel *Jailer 2*, which is expected to arrive in cinemas in late 2026.

Acting credits

Jailer poster
6.5

Muthuvel Pandian, a retired, stern yet compassionate jailer lives a peaceful life with his family, but trouble knocks his door when his cop son’s tryst with an antique mafia gang goes awry and forces Muthu to step back into a dark world he had voluntarily took a break from.

Jailer

2023

Enthiran poster
6.6

Dr. Vaseegaran creates Chitti, a powerful robot in his own image, but it is rejected by the scientific body AIRD due to its lack of human behaviour and emotions. After a lightning strike triggers emotions in Chitti, he begins to develop human-like feelings. However, Chitti falls in love with Dr. Vaseegaran's fiancée, Sana, and turns against his creator, leading to dangerous consequences.

Enthiran

2010

Jailer 2 poster
NR

Following the events of "Jailer", former ruthless police officer Muthuvel Pandian must come face-to-face with an even larger threat.

Jailer 2

2026

Ra.One poster
5.7

When the titular antagonist of an action game takes on physical form, it's up to the game's less powerful protagonist to save the world.

Ra.One

2011

Coolie poster
6.2

Deva, once living a quiet life, is shaken when his close friend dies under suspicious circumstances. Determined to uncover the truth, he infiltrates a powerful gang operating in the shadows. As he investigates, Deva becomes entangled in a dangerous web of crime, betrayal, and secrets from his own past, forcing him to confront powerful enemies while protecting the ones he loves.

Coolie

2025

Pedarayudu poster
7.4

Pedarayudu, the eldest brother, sits on an ancestral throne that is cursed and whoever delivers a wrong verdict dies. However, things take a turn after his youngest brother is accused of murder.

Pedarayudu

1995

Arunachalam poster
7.2

Arunachalam, the son of a prominent village elder, discovers the truth about his past.

Arunachalam

1997

2.0 poster
5.8

An ornithologist who commits suicide returns as fifth force to wreack vengeance on mankind for harming birds with mobile phone radiation. The only thing that is standing in his way is 2.0, the upgraded version of Chitti, the robot.

2.0

2018

Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai poster
7.9

Santhanam gives the best education to his siblings and takes care of all their basic needs. However, when they become financially stable they ill-treat and ignore him.

Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai

1979

Mangudi Minor poster
4.0

Tragedy strikes a family of four when the train they are travelling in meets with an accident and separates them from each other.

Mangudi Minor

1978

No artwork available
6.0

Aarupushpangal is a Tamil film is directed by K.M.Balakrishnan.

Aaru Pushpangal

1977

No artwork available
NR

Janaki, the wife of a sepoy, lives in a village with her son and daughter. One night, when a drunkard tries to molest her, her son kills him with an axe.

Iddaru Asadhyule

1979

Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum poster
6.5

A rendering of the classic Arabian tale of Aladdin and his magic lamp.

Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum

1979

Chandramukhi poster
6.8

Creepy happenings in an abandoned mansion are attributed to the ghost of an ancient courtesan, back for revenge.

Chandramukhi

2005

Nallavanukku Nallavan poster
6.8

Manickam, a youngster, gets reformed by Gangadharan, a kind man, who eventually appoints him in charge of his business. Irked by his father's actions, Gangadharan's son seeks revenge against Manickam.

Nallavanukku Nallavan

1984

Kodi Parakuthu poster
4.5

A mafia leader tries to kill policeman Sivagiri, who took down his illegal businesses, with the help of a lookalike. Later, Sivagiri discovers that the leader is responsible for his father's death.

Kodi Parakuthu

1989

Moondru Mudichu poster
6.3

Roommates Prasath and Balaji are both in love with Selvi. However, life takes an ugly turn when Balaji dies and Selvi is forced to marry Prasath's father.

Moondru Mudichu

1976

Manithan poster
5.5

The Story of a young man who returns from jail after imprisonment on crime he commits for justice during young age. He comes out and again fights for justice in everyway. This film released along with Kamal hassan starred and Mani Ratnam directed Nayakan,Sathyaraj starred Brahma and Vijayakant starred Uzhavan Magan for the Deepavali season. Collection wise, reportedly this was a hit.

Manithan

1987

Katha Sangama poster
8.0

An anthology of short stories centred on a poor university teacher's dilemma, an old woman's life story and a man who is about to marry a woman who is visually impaired.

Katha Sangama

1976

Baba poster
6.3

Baba is an atheist who always questions the existence of a higher power. But when a turn of events bestows him with divine powers, he uses the opportunity to help other people.

Baba

2002

Veera poster
6.1

The hero falls in love with a girl and learns music for her. The girl's house is destroyed in a cyclone and the hero believes the girl is dead. He goes to the city and marries another woman. When his first love is alive and comes searching for him, fun ensues.

Veera

1994

Panakkaran poster
5.5

The illegitimate son of a rich man and a singer is raised by a poor drunkard. Before he can commit to the girl he loves, he wants to find out who his parents really are. Will the drunkard help him?

Panakkaran

1990

Dharma Durai poster
7.3

Dharmadurai, a simple villager, helps his brothers financially against his father's wishes. He goes to jail when one of them kills a man, unaware that his brothers are nothing short of evil.

Dharma Durai

1991

Sivaji: The Boss poster
7.1

A wealthy engineer arrives in India with the mission of serving the nation and investing in the country's welfare but is met with strong opposition from corrupt officials and politicians. After being faced with insurmountable hardships, he decides to take drastic measures.

Sivaji: The Boss

2007

Behind the camera