Southern superstar Rajinikanth’s soon-to-release Endhiran has become an instant sell out as soon as the bookings for the film opened. 2000 theatres across the world will screen Rajini, Ash starrer Endhiran. Sources say the Rs 162-crore movie is fetching staggering prices – Rs 75 crore for Basha’s bastion Tamil Nadu and Rs 27 crores for Andhra Pradesh.
Here’s a look at the actor’s life in pics…
Rajinikanth, fondly called Thalaivar (Leader) by his fans, was born on December 12, 1950 to a Marathi family in Bangalore.
He was the fourth child of his parents, Jijabai and Ramojirao Gaekwad, a police constable. He lost his mother at the age of five. He attended elementary school at the Acharya Paathshala in Basavanagudi, Bangalore and then at the Vivekananda Balaka Sangha.
Rajinikanth struggled a lot during his early age because of his family’s low income. Although his mother-tongue is Marathi he has not yet acted in any Marathi films.
He worked with various jobs in Bangalore and also attended a theatre for stage plays. Before starting his career in the film industry, he used to practice stunts at the Rama Hanuman Temple at a hill near his house.
He then primarily worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation in Bangalore. His charisma and style were noted by the passengers who traveled with him and gave him suggestions in becoming an actor.
It was during this time that he nurtured his acting interests by performing in various stage plays.
He received India’s third highest honour, the Padma Bhushan, for his contribution to Indian cinema.
He is best known for his mass popularity and appeal, largely drawn from his mannerisms and stylized delivery of dialogue in films. Other than acting,
Rajinikanth worked as a screenwriter, film producer, and also a playback singer.
Apart from his film career, he is a philanthropist and also serves as an influence in the politics of Tamil Nadu.
Rajinikanth joined the Madras Film Institute in 1974. As of 2002, he has acted in over 150 films, which includes Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, English and Bengali language films.
Rajinikanth debuted as an actor in 1975 under the direction of K Balachander in supporting roles. He was later favoured in portraying antagonistic characters and gradually rose to acting in lead roles.
Rajinikanth’s first film was in Tamil, where he was initially casted in supporting roles, debuting as a cancer patient in Apoorva Raagangal in 1975.
The film was directed by K Balachander, who is constantly referred by
Rajinikanth as his “guru” or mentor.
Around this time Mullum Malarum (1978), directed by J Mahendran, established
Rajinikanth in the Tamil film arena as a film hero. After the release of his 1978 film Bhairavi, he became known as the “super star” of Tamil cinema, which was the title given to him by film producer S Thanu and till this date used by many people to refer to him.
The acceptance of Rajinikanth sans his stylized mannerisms proved he had at last become a “star” from a “common actor.” His film roles were mainly as a villain during the period 1975 to 1977, co-starring frequently with Kamal Haasan as the protagonist, in movies like 16 Vayadhinilae, Moondru Mudichu and Avargal.
He also appeared in the cinemas of other nations, including American cinema. He was paid Rs 26 crores for Sivaji: The Boss, making him the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan.
With its phenomenal success he was accepted as a full-fledged hero. Billa was followed by a row of hits, namely Murattu Kaalai, Pokkiri Raja, Thanikattu Raja, Naan Mahaan Alla, Pudukavithai and Moondru Mugam
In his 100th movie, Sri Raghavendra, he played the Hindu saint Raghavendra Swami.
The movies released during the nineties included Thalapathy, Mannan, Annamalai, Uzhaippali, Veera, Muthu, Arunachalam and Padayappa(Nara Simha).
Rajinikanth wrote his first screenplay and acted as a special appearance in the film Valli (1993). His film Baasha was released in 1995.
His 1995 film Muthu was dubbed into Japanese while his 2005 film Chandramukhi was dubbed in German and released in all German-speaking nations.
Director KS Ravikumar’s Padayappa(Nara Simha) was released in 1999.
After more than a three-year sabbatical from cinema, at 52 years of age, he starred in his home production, Baba which released on 15 August 2002.
Rajinikanth chose to act in director P. Vasu’s Tamil remake of Manichithrathazhu, Chandramukhi. Chandramukhi was released on 14 April 2005, and went on to create new box office records such as being the longest running Tamil film, as of 2007.
The film was titled Sivaji: The Boss and released on 15 June 2007 went on to become ranked among other major releases of the year.
Sivaji charted as one of the top-ten best films of United Kingdom and South Africa box-offices upon release.
During the course of the production for Sivaji, Ocher Studios, the animation company of Rajinikanth’s daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth, in association with Adlabs announced their intention of producing a CGI animation film starring an animated version of Rajinikanth.
He has lent his voice to the lead character in the project is titled
Sultan: The Warrior directed by his daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth with music provided by AR Rahman.
Rajinikanth has again teamed up with S Shankar and AR Rahman for another movie, Endhiran.
He married Latha Rangachari, on 26 February 1981, at the age of 31 in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and they have two daughters named
Aishwarya Rajinikanth and Soundarya
Rajinikanth.
His wife, Latha Rajinikanth currently runs a school named The Ashram. His elder daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth married actor
Dhanush on 18 November 2004 and they have one son named Yathra. His second daughter,
Soundarya Rajinikanth, works in the film industry as a director, producer and graphic designer.
In 1995 Rajinikanth announced that he is willing to support the Congress party after meeting Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. In 1996, when the Congress Party decided to align with AIADMK, Rajinikanth supported DMK-TMC alliance.
In 1996 Rajinikanth supported the DMK-TMC alliance in parliamentary elections. In 2002 Rajinikanth undertook a day-long fast to protest Karnataka’s decision to not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
In a country that adores it stars, Rajinikanth, even at 59, continues to new standards when it comes to fan following.
The new title has been given to Rajini as Mount Road Maharaja by the Tamil film trade in Chennai. After the release of Enthiran, he will be know as “Mount Road Maharaja”. 
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