Rajinikanth (born Shivaji Rao Gaikwad; 12 December 1950) is an Indian film actor, media personality, and cultural icon. He has won six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards—four Best Actor Awards and two Special Awards for Best Actor—and a Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. In addition to acting, Rajinikanth has also worked as a producer and screenwriter. Apart from his film career, he is also a philanthropist, spiritualist, and serves as an influence in Dravidian politics. He is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour.

 

Born and raised in Bangalore, Rajinikanth struggled with an impoverished lifestyle during his childhood. He began acting in plays while working in the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation as a bus conductor. In 1973, he joined the Madras Film Institute to pursue a diploma in acting. Following his debut in K. Balachander's National Film Award-winning Apoorva Raagangal (1975), his acting career commenced with a brief phase of portraying antagonistic characters in Tamil films. After establishing himself as a lead actor in a number of commercially successful films, he became synonymous with the term "superstar" and has since continued to hold a matinee idol status in the popular culture of India. His mannerisms and stylised delivery of dialogue in films contribute to his mass popularity and appeal. After earning INR26 crore (US$4.4 million) for his role in Sivaji (2007), he became the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan. While working in other regional film industries of India, Rajinikanth has also appeared in the cinemas of other nations, including that of the United States.