Rajinikanth is one of the most iconic and beloved actors in Indian cinema, especially in Tamil Nadu, where he enjoys a near god-like status among fans. Born as Shivaji Rao Gaekwad on December 12, 1950, in Bangalore (now Bengaluru), Karnataka, he worked as a bus conductor before joining the Madras Film Institute to study acting. He made his debut in Tamil cinema with Apoorva Raagangal (1975), and quickly rose to stardom with his unique style, charisma, and powerful screen presence.
Known for his stylized dialogue delivery, action sequences, and mass appeal, Rajinikanth has acted in over 160 films across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and other languages. Blockbusters like Baashha, Sivaji, Enthiran, and Kabali cemented his superstar status. Despite his immense fame, Rajinikanth is admired for his simplicity, humility, and spiritual outlook. He briefly entered politics, announcing his political intentions in 2017 but later opted out due to health reasons. Rajinikanth received the Padma Bhushan (2000), Padma Vibhushan (2016), and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2021), India's highest film honor, recognizing his immense contribution to Indian cinema.