Rajinikanth (born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad on December 12, 1950) is an Indian actor, producer, and screenwriter who works primarily in Tamil cinema. Born in Bangalore (now Bengaluru) to a Marathi Hindu family, he worked as a bus conductor for the Bangalore Transport Service before joining the Madras Film Institute to pursue a diploma in acting. He made his cinematic debut with a brief but impactful antagonistic role in K. Balachander's Tamil drama *Apoorva Raagangal* (1975). Often referred to universally as "Superstar" or simply "Thalaivar" (Leader), Rajinikanth has established himself as one of the most successful, influential, and highest-paid actors in the history of Indian cinema, known for his unique acting style, distinct line delivery, and charismatic screen presence. After beginning his career primarily portraying villains and anti-heroes, he gradually transitioned to lead roles, achieving massive stardom in the late 1970s and 1980s. His collaborations with director S. P. Muthuraman in films like *Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri* (1977), *Murattu Kaalai* (1980), and *Nallavanuku Nallavan* (1984) firmly cemented his status as a leading action hero. The 1990s witnessed him delivering monumental, industry-defining blockbusters that achieved unprecedented box office success, most notably Suresh Krissna's *Annamalai* (1992) and *Baasha* (1995), K. S. Ravikumar's *Muthu* (1995)—which gained a massive cult following in Japan—and *Padayappa* (1999). His unique ability to blend high-octane action, mass appeal, and spiritual philosophy in his films made him an unparalleled phenomenon across the country. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Rajinikanth continued his unparalleled box-office reign, consistently pushing the boundaries of Indian commercial cinema. He delivered gargantuan blockbusters including P. Vasu's horror-comedy *Chandramukhi* (2005) and reunited with director Shankar for the spectacular successes *Sivaji: The Boss* (2007) and the science-fiction epics *Enthiran* (2010) and its sequel *2.0* (2018). His performances in Pa. Ranjith's politically charged dramas *Kabali* (2016) and *Kaala* (2018), and Karthik Subbaraj's stylish *Petta* (2019), were highly praised for combining his quintessential swagger with substantive character depth. Honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2000, the Padma Vibhushan in 2016, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award—India's highest award in the field of cinema—in 2021, he is a cultural icon whose fandom transcends generations. In his seventies, Rajinikanth continues to headline colossal projects and rewrite box-office records. In 2023, he starred in Nelson Dilipkumar's blockbuster actioner *Jailer*, which emerged as one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time. His 2024 releases include a prominent extended cameo as Moideen Bhai in his daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth's *Lal Salaam* and the lead role in T. J. Gnanavel's action-drama *Vettaiyan*. His highly anticipated upcoming slate includes Lokesh Kanagaraj's massive action thriller *Coolie*, slated for a worldwide release in August 2025. Furthermore, he is set to reunite with Nelson Dilipkumar for the massive sequel *Jailer 2*, which is expected to arrive in cinemas in late 2026.
Sivaji: The Boss
(Sivaji Arumugam)
Ra.One
(Chitti / Self)
Kuselan
(Ashok Kumar)
Vettaiyan
(SP V. Athiyan IPS)
Bloodstone
(Shyam Sabu)
Thalapathi
(Surya)
Mannan
(Krishnan)
Muthu
(Muthu / Muthu's father)
Arunachalam
(Arunachalam / Vedhachalam)
Valli
(Veeraiyan)
Manithan
Kodi Parakuthu
(Erode Shivagiri / Dada)
Oorkavalan
(Kangeyan)
Dharmathin Thalaivan
(Balu(lecturer) and Shankar)
Raja Chinna Roja
(Raja)
Veera
(Muthuveerappan)
Athisaya Piravi
Velaikkaran
(Ragupathy)
Mr. Bharath
(Bharat)
Maaveeran
Manathil Uruthi Vendum
(Cameo)
Naan Adimai Illai
Viduthalai
(Raja)
Uruvavugal Maralam
(God)
Un Kannil Neer Vazhinthal...
(Ravi)
Nallavanukku Nallavan
Sri Raghavendrar
(Raghavendra Swami)
Thambikku Entha Ooru
(Balu)
Thanga Magan
(Arun)
Kai Kodukkum Kai
Sivappu Sooriyan
Anbulla Rajinikanth
Adutha Varisu
(Kannan)
Thanikattu Raja
Nandri, Meendum Varuga
Ranga
Thudikkum Karangal
Pudhu Kavithai
(Anand)
Enkeyo Ketta Kural
Paayum Puli
(Paayum Puli)
Moondru Mugam
Netrikan
(Chakravarthy/Santhosh)
Kazhugu
(Rajasekar)
Kaali
(Kaali)
Annai Oru Alayam
Dharma Yuddam
(Vijay)
Anbukku Naan Adimai
Naan Potta Saval
Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum
(Kamaruddin)
Naan Vazhavaippen
(Michael D' Souza)
Thaayillamal Naanillai
('Pichuva' Pakkiri)
Ellam Un Kairasi
(Raja)
Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai
(Santhanam)
Mangudi Minor
(Kumar)
Murattu Kaalai
Aayiram Jenmangal
Aval Appadithan
(Thyagu)
Kuppathu Raja
(Jakku / Jayakumar)
Ninaithale Inikkum
(Deepak)
Iraivan Kodutha Varam
(Rajnikanth)
Justice Gopinath
(Ravi)
Bairavi
(Mookaiyah)
Priya
(Ganesh)
Thai Meethu Sathiyam
Shankar Salim Simon
(Simon)
Mullum Malarum
(Kaali)
Sadhurangam
Thappu Thalangal
(Devu)
Padayappa
(Padayappa)
Vanakkathukuriya Kathaliye
(Joe)
Ilamai Oonjaladukirathu
Raghupathi Raghavan Rajaram
(Veeraiyan)
Gayathri
(Rajarathnam)
16 Vayathinile
(Parattai)
Aaru Pushpangal
Kavikkuyil
(Murugan)
Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri
(Sampath)
Moondru Mudichu
(Prasath)
Aadu Puli Attam
(Rajini)
Apoorva Raagangal
(Pandiyan)
Thillu Mullu
(Chandran / Indiran)
Baasha
(Manikkam / Manik Baashha)
Annamalai
(Annamalai)
Pandiyan
(Pandiyan)
Chandramukhi
(Dr. Saravanan / Vettaiyan Raja)
Jailer
(Muthuvel 'Tiger' Pandian)
Anthuleni Katha
(Murthy)
Pedarayudu
(Paparayudu)
Coolie
(Devaraj 'Deva')
Aatank Hi Aatank
(Munna)
Bulandi
(Ghajraj Thakur)
Chaalbaaz
(Jaggu)
Kathanayakudu
(Ashok Kumar)
Andhaa Kaanoon
(Vijay Kumar Singh)
Gangvaa
(Chameli)
Kochadaiiyaan
(Kochadaiiyaan / Ranadheeran / Senadheeran)
Naan Mahaan Alla
(Viswanath)
Garjanai
Padikkadavan
(Rajendran)
Thai Veedu
En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
Naan Sigappu Manithan
(Professor Vijay / Robinhood)
Baba
(Baba / Mahavatar Babaji)
Yejaman
(Kanthavelu Vaanavarayan)
Billa
(Billa / Rajappa)
Rajathi Raja
(Raja/Chinnarasu)
Lingaa
(Raja Lingeswaran / Lingaa)
Guru Sishyan
(Raja aka Guru)
Avargal
(Ramanathan)
Agni Sakshi
(Self)
Yaar?
Gair Kanooni
(Azam Khan)
Tamacha
(Vicky)
Farishtay
(Arjun Ramojirao)
Uttar Dakshin
(Shankar)
Meri Adalat
(Inspector Ashok)
Insaniyat Ke Devta
(Anwar)
Khoon Ka Karz
(Kishan)
Mahaguru
(Vijay / Mahaguru)
Annadammula Savaal
Bhagwaan Dada
(Bhagwaan Dada)
Johnny
(Johnny / Vidyasagar)
Katha Sangama
(Kondaji)
Maathu Tappada Maga
(Chandru)
Polladhavan
(Manohar)
Chilakamma Cheppindi
(Ravi)
Natchathiram
Dosti Dhushmani
(Inspector Ranjith)
Galaate Samsaara
(Sundar)
Ondu Premada Kathe
(Chairman of village panchayat)
Sahodarara Savaal
(Somashekar)
Tholireyi Gadichindi
Paavathin Sambalam
(Kathiravan)
Ram Robert Rahim
(Ram)
Insaaf Kaun Karega
(Vikram Singh)
Siva
(Siva (Tiger))
Kiladi Kittu
(Inspector Srikanth)
Thee
(Rajshekhar 'Raja')
John Jani Janardhan
Baalu Jenu
(Vasu)
Wafadaar
(Ranga)
Jeevana Poratam
(Ravi)
Uzhaippali
(Tamilarasan/Tamilazhagan)
Iddaru Asadhyule
(Inspector Bhaskar)
Tiger
(Rashid)
Bhrashtachar
(Abdul Sattar)
Dharma Durai
(Dharmadurai)
Bewafai
(Ranveer)
Kumkuma Rakshe
Aame Katha
Asli Naqli
(Birju Ustad)
Kodai Mazhai
(Self)
Pokkiri Raja
Tyagi
(Shankar G. "Dadhu" Dayal)
Nyayam Meere Cheppali
(Atmaram)
Mappillai
(Arumugam)
Phool Bane Angaray
(Inspector Ranjeet Singh)
Daku Hasina
Bhagya Debata
(Singer (Guest appearence))
Panakkaran
(Muthu)
Lal Salaam
(Moideen Bhai)
Endhiran Making of Robot
(Self)
Kabali
('Kabali' Kabaliswaran)
Periya Idathu Pillai
(Self)
Chithirame Chithirame
2.0
(Dr. Vaseegaran / Chitti / Kutti)
Geraftaar
(Inspector Hussein (Cameo appearance))
Kaala
(Karikaalan Vengaiyan 'Kaala')
Hum
(Kumar Malhotra)
Vayasu Pilichindi
(Murali)
Petta
(Petta 'Kaali' Velan)
Darbar
(Aadithya Arunachalam IPS)
Saranam Ayyappa
Annaatthe
('Annaatthe' Kaalaiyaan)
Sashti Viratham
(Mahout)
Cinema Veeran
(Self (voice))
Ranuva Veeran
(Raghu)
Untitled Rajnikanth - Nithilan Saminathan Film
KHxRK: Reunion
Shanti Kranti
(Inspector Subhash (Tamil & Hindi Version))
Enthiran
(Dr. Vaseegaran / Chitti)
Dharman
(Dharman)
Dreams of Hind and Camilia
((archive footage))
Jailer 2
(Muthuvel 'Tiger' Pandian)
Hum Mein Shahenshah Koun
Ilaiyaraaja
(Self)
Into the Wild with Bear Grylls & Akshay Kumar
Into the Wild with Bear Grylls & Rajinikanth
Kabali
(Playback Singer)
Annaatthe
(Playback Singer)
Jigarthanda DoubleX
(Thanks)
Jailer
(Playback Singer)
Baba
(Screenplay)
Baba
(Story)
Baba
(Producer)
Chennai Express
(Thanks)
Kochadaiiyaan
(Playback Singer)
Mannan
(Playback Singer)
Valli
(Producer)
Valli
(Writer)
Baba
(Playback Singer)
Padayappa
(Story Developer)