Rajinikanth Biography, Movies, Net Worth & Lifestyle: From Bus Conductor to Superstar
Rajinikanth, born Shivaji Rao Gaikwad on 12 December 1950 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, hails from a Marathi Hindu family. Long before he became one of the most iconic actors in Indian cinema, Rajinikanth worked as a coolie and bus conductor, living a simple life. His interest in acting was sparked while performing in Kannada mythological plays, and he later honed his skills at the New Madras Film Institute. His talent caught the eye of legendary Tamil director K. Balachander, who introduced him to the silver screen with the 1975 Tamil romantic drama Apoorva Raagangal.
Quick Facts – Rajinikanth Biography
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Full Name: Shivaji Rao Gaekwad
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Popular Name: Rajinikanth
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Date of Birth: 12 December 1950
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Place of Birth: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Profession: Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Philanthropist
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Film Industry: Primarily Tamil cinema; also acted in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films
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Education: Completed schooling in Bangalore; studied acting at Madras Film Institute
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Early Career: Bus conductor before films
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Film Debut: Apoorva Raagangal (1975, Tamil)
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Breakthrough Film: Bairavi (1978), earning him the title “Superstar”
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Notable Films: Baashha, Padayappa, Muthu, Sivaji, Enthiran, Kabali, Jailer
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Awards: Padma Bhushan (2000), Padma Vibhushan (2016), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2021)
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Family: Married to Latha Rajinikanth, with daughters Aishwarya and Soundarya
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Hobbies: Reading spiritual books, traveling, gardening
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Known For: Unique style, charismatic screen presence, massive global fan following
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Net Worth: Approximately ₹430–500 crore
Rajinikanth Movies – Complete List
1970s – 1980s:
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Apoorva Raagangal – 1975
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Moondru Mudichu – 1976
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Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri – 1977
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Mullum Malarum – 1978
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Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai – 1979
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Johnny – 1980
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Murattu Kaalai – 1980
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Thillu Mullu – 1981
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Netrikkan – 1981
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Moondru Mugam – 1982
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Paayum Puli – 1983
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Andha Kanoon – 1983
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Nallavanukku Nallavan – 1984
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Sri Raghavendra – 1985
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Padikkadavan – 1985
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Mr. Bharath – 1986
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Manithan – 1987
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Dharmathin Thalaivan – 1988
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Rajadhi Raja – 1989
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Mappillai – 1989
1990s – 2000s:
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Annamalai – 1992
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Yejaman – 1993
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Veera – 1994
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Baashha – 1995
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Muthu – 1995
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Arunachalam – 1997
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Padayappa – 1999
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Baba – 2002
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Chandramukhi – 2005
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Sivaji: The Boss – 2007
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Kuselan – 2008
2010s – 2020s:
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Enthiran – 2010
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Kochadaiiyaan – 2014
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Lingaa – 2014
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Kabali – 2016
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Kaala – 2018
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2.0 – 2018
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Darbar – 2020
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Annaatthe – 2021
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Jailer – 2023
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Vettaiyan – 2024
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Lal Salaam – 2024
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Coolie – 2025
Rajinikanth Net Worth & Assets
Rajinikanth is among India’s highest-paid actors, with a net worth estimated between ₹430–500 crore. Forbes lists him as the fourth highest-paid actor in India, reportedly charging ₹125–270 crore per film.
Properties & Luxury Assets:
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Poes Garden Bungalow (Chennai): ₹35 crore
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Luxury Cars:
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Rolls Royce Ghost – ₹6 crore
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Rolls Royce Phantom – ₹16.5 crore
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BMW X5 – ₹1.77 crore
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Mercedes Benz G-Wagon – ₹2.55 crore
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Lamborghini Urus – ₹3.10 crore
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Bentley Luminous – ₹6 crore
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Additional: Toyota Innova, Honda Civic, Premier Padmini, Ambassador
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Other Investments:
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Raghavendra Mandapam wedding hall: ₹20 crore, seating over 1,000
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Film production, real estate, and selective brand endorsements contribute significantly to his earnings.
Rajinikanth’s box office pull is unmatched, and his films often break records due to his unmatched popularity. Despite immense wealth, he maintains a humble lifestyle, staying grounded and connected to his roots.
Social Media Presence & Influence
Though Rajinikanth is not very active on social media, his rare posts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook instantly go viral. Millions of fans eagerly wait for updates about his films, thoughts, and social messages.
Rajinikanth: A Source of Inspiration
From a bus conductor in Bangalore to becoming a superstar of Indian cinema, Rajinikanth’s journey is a story of determination, dedication, and humility. Known for his unique style, simplicity, and spiritual outlook, he continues to inspire generations worldwide. His positive thinking, grounded personality, and legendary career ensure that he remains immortal in the hearts of millions.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article about Rajinikanth’s biography, income, net worth, and lifestyle is collected from various public sources and is intended for knowledge and informational purposes only. Actual figures may vary.
