In a modest home in Bengaluru, a boy lost his mother when he was only five years old. His father, a police constable, had little money and four children to raise. The boy was a middling student, restless and full of mischief. Nobody around him imagined that one day theatres across India, Japan and Malaysia would erupt in cheers the moment he appeared on screen.
That boy was Shivaji Rao Gaekwad. India knows him as Rajinikanth, often spelt Rajanikanth, and for millions of fans he is simply “Thalaivar” (the leader) and the Superstar. More than fifty years after his first film, he is still headlining blockbusters. In October 2026 he returned to cinemas with Jailer 2, his 172nd film.
This is the story of how a bus conductor from Bengaluru became the most beloved hero in Indian cinema.
Quick Facts About Rajinikanth
| Real Name | Shivaji Rao Gaekwad |
| Screen Name | Rajinikanth (also spelt Rajanikanth) |
| Date of Birth | 12 December 1950 |
| Age | 75 years (as of October 2026) |
| Birthplace | Bengaluru (Bangalore), Karnataka, India |
| Family Background | Marathi family |
| Profession | Actor, producer, screenwriter |
| Known As | Superstar, Thalaivar |
| Debut Film | Apoorva Raagangal (1975), directed by K. Balachander |
| Wife | Latha Rangachari |
| Children | Aishwarya and Soundarya (daughters) |
| Latest Film | Jailer 2 (released 15 October 2026) |
| Net Worth | Estimated at several hundred crore rupees (figures vary by source) |
| Languages | Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Marathi, English |
| Residence | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
Early Life: A Childhood Without a Mother
Rajinikanth was born on 12 December 1950 in Bengaluru as the youngest of four children. His father, Ramoji Rao Gaekwad, worked as a police constable. His mother, Jijabai, passed away when Shivaji was just five. The family struggled financially, and the young boy grew up learning early that nothing would be handed to him.
He studied at the Gavipuram Government Kannada Model Primary School and later at Acharya Patasala in Bengaluru. He was drawn to the Ramakrishna Math as a child, an association that planted the early seeds of the spiritual side he is known for today. Studies were never his strength. Stage was.
From Coolie to Conductor
To support himself, Shivaji took on odd jobs. He worked as a coolie, a carpenter, and eventually found steady employment as a bus conductor with the Bangalore Transport Service (BTS).
It was on that bus that his future began to take shape. Passengers noticed the conductor who tossed tickets and flipped coins with a flourish and delivered his lines like a performer. Off duty, he acted in plays, including mythological and social dramas, and discovered that audiences loved him.
A close friend from the transport service, Raj Bahadur, saw something bigger. He encouraged Shivaji to enrol at the Madras Film Institute in Chennai (then Madras) and even supported him financially while he studied acting. It was the push that changed everything.
The Birth of “Rajinikanth”
While at the film institute, Shivaji caught the eye of acclaimed director K. Balachander, who cast him in a small but striking role in Apoorva Raagangal (1975). Balachander also gave him the screen name Rajinikanth, a name that would become a global brand.
Balachander made him learn Tamil properly, and that discipline paid off. Within a few years, a Kannada-speaking Marathi boy from Bengaluru would become the biggest name in Tamil cinema.
Career Journey: Villain, Hero, Superstar
The Villain Years (1975 to 1977)
Rajinikanth did not begin as a hero. He played negative and intense supporting roles in films such as Moondru Mudichu (1976) and 16 Vayathinile (1977). His fast dialogue delivery, his walk and his cigarette flip made audiences notice him even when he was playing the bad guy.
Becoming the Hero (1978 Onwards)
Bairavi (1978) marked his first film as a solo lead, and the title “Superstar” was attached to him around the same time. Through the late 1970s and 1980s he delivered hit after hit, including Mullum Malarum, Billa (1980), Murattu Kaalai and Thillu Mullu. He also worked in Hindi cinema in films like Andha Kaanoon and Hum, and appeared in the Hollywood production Bloodstone (1988).
The Blockbuster Era (1990s)
The 1990s cemented his status. Annamalai (1992), Muthu (1995), Baashha (1995) and Padayappa (1999) became cultural events in Tamil Nadu. Muthu even became a phenomenon in Japan, where it gained a devoted following and introduced a new audience to the actor.
The 2000s: Chandramukhi, Sivaji and Enthiran
Chandramukhi (2005) ran for more than 800 days in some theatres. Sivaji: The Boss (2007) and Enthiran (2010) pushed budgets and ambitions higher, making him one of the highest-paid actors in Asia at the time.
Recent Years: Still Breaking Records
After Kabali (2016) and 2.0 (2018), Rajinikanth proved he was far from done. Jailer (2023), directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, became the highest-grossing Tamil film of that year and brought him a fresh wave of success. He followed it with Vettaiyan (2024) and Coolie (2025), the film that marked his fifty years in cinema.
Jailer 2: The Superstar Returns in 2026
In October 2026, Rajinikanth returned as retired jailer Muthuvel Pandian in Jailer 2, again directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Sun Pictures. The film opened worldwide on 15 October 2026 in the Dussehra and Deepavali window. It was cleared with a U/A certificate and runs about 2 hours 45 minutes, with Anirudh Ravichander returning as composer.
The film’s cast includes Ramya Krishnan, Vidya Balan, S. J. Suryah, Yogi Babu and Vijay Sethupathi in a cameo, and Malaysian reports also list stars such as Mohanlal and Shiva Rajkumar. The release date had shifted from an earlier June target, but the makers confirmed October with a teaser in July.
Why Fans Call Him “Thalaivar”
What makes Rajinikanth different from other stars is the bond he shares with his audience. Fans celebrate his film releases like festivals. They garland giant cutouts, pour milk on posters and queue overnight for tickets.
Some of the reasons behind his appeal:
- Unmatched style: The sunglasses, the cigarette flip, the walk and the punchlines became part of Indian pop culture.
- Everyman image: Fans see in him a man who rose from nothing, which makes his success feel personal.
- Humility off screen: He is often seen in simple white attire, without make-up, and has openly embraced his greying hair.
- Spiritual side: He regularly visits the Himalayas and speaks about meditation and spirituality.
- Cross-generational reach: Children, parents and grandparents all go to his films.
Major Awards & Honours
- Padma Bhushan: 2000 (India’s third-highest civilian award)
- Padma Vibhushan: 2016 (India’s second-highest civilian award)
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award: India’s highest honour in cinema, awarded for 2019
- Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and Filmfare Awards South: multiple wins over the decades
- Honorary recognition at IFFI (2014): Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year
Rajinikanth Net Worth 2026
Rajinikanth’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, and estimates ’s net worth is approximately ₹430 crore to ₹500 crore
Treat all net worth figures as estimates, not confirmed numbers.
Family & Personal Life
Wife: Latha Rangachari
Rajinikanth married Latha Rangachari on 26 February 1981. Latha met him while interviewing him for a college magazine. She has been a stabilising presence in his life and is involved in charitable and educational work, including a school named The Ashram.
Children
The couple have two daughters.
- Aishwarya Rajinikanth is a film director and was previously married to actor Dhanush. The couple announced their separation in 2022, and the divorce was finalised in 2024.
- Soundarya Rajinikanth is a graphic designer, producer and director, who directed the animated film Kochadaiiyaan (2014).
Health
Rajinikanth has faced health challenges and has spoken openly about them. He underwent kidney treatment in Singapore in 2011 and was admitted to hospital for a medical procedure in October 2024. He has since returned to work.
Politics
In 2017 he announced plans to enter politics, but in December 2020 he stepped back, citing health concerns and the pandemic. He has remained focused on cinema since.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rajinikanth
1. What is Rajinikanth’s real name?
His real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad. The name Rajinikanth was given to him by director K. Balachander at the start of his career.
2. What is Rajinikanth’s age?
Rajinikanth was born on 12 December 1950, which makes him 75 years old as of October 2026. He turns 76 in December 2026.
3. Where was Rajinikanth born?
He was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka, into a Marathi-speaking family, and later made Chennai his home.
4. Who is Rajinikanth’s wife?
Rajinikanth is married to Latha Rangachari. They married in 1981 and have two daughters, Aishwarya and Soundarya.
5. What was Rajinikanth’s first film?
His debut was Apoorva Raagangal (1975), directed by K. Balachander, where he played a small role.
6. Which was Rajinikanth’s latest film?
His latest release is Jailer 2, which opened worldwide on 15 October 2026. It is reported as his 172nd film.
7. What was Rajinikanth’s job before acting?
He worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service, after earlier working as a coolie and a carpenter.
Also See: More Famous Personalities on KnowledzeHub
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- Kapil Sharma: India’s Comedy King and his journey from Amritsar to Netflix
