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Rajinikanth

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Rajinikanth
Born
Shivaji Rao Gaekwad
Other namesSuper Star
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
SpouseLatha Rajinikanth
Websitehttp://www.rajinikanth.com/

Rajinikanth (Tamil:ரஜினிகாந்த்; Marathi:रजनीकांत Kannada: ರಜನೀಕಾಂತ್) (born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad on December 12, 1949) is an popular actor in the Indian film industry. As an experienced actor and a regional celebrity, he received India's third highest civilian honour, the Padmabhushan for his work in Indian cinema in 2000.[2] Rajinikanth performs predominantly in leading roles ranging from romantic comedies and drama to action thrillers.

Early life

Rajinikanth was born in a Marathi Family in Bangalore, Karnataka. He was the fourth child of his parents, Jijabai and Ramoji Rao.[1] His original name was Shivaji Rao Gaekwad. He lost his mother at the age of five. He had his schooling at the Acharya Pathshala in Bangalore and then at the Vivekananda Balak Sangh, a unit of the Ramakrishna Mission. Although his mother tongue is Marathi, he has not acted in Marathi movies yet.

Acharya Patashala-The school Rajanikanth went to.

He began his career doing various jobs in Karnataka, while also attending a theatre for stage plays. Before starting his career in the film industry, he served as a bus conductor for the state transport corporation in Bangalore.[3] It was during this time that he nurtured his acting interests by performing in various stage plays.[3]

Personal

Rajinikanth married Latha on February 26, 1981, at Tirupathi and they have two children: Aishwarya and Soundarya. Latha is currently the principal of a school named - The Ashram. Aishwarya married actor Dhanush on November 18, 2004 and they have a 6 month old son, Yathra.[4]

Acting career

Further information: Rajinikanth (filmography)

He joined the Madras Film institute in 1973 with the help of a friend and completed basic acting course.[5]

1975-1979

In Tamil cinema he was initially cast in supporting roles, with his first being that of a cancer patient in Apoorva Raagangal (1975), directed by K. Balachander. It was Balachander who assigned him his stage name Rajinikanth. Though Rajinikanth persistently refers to K. Balachander as his "guru" or mentor, it was director S. P. Muthuraman who actually revamped Rajinikanth’s image entirely. Muthuraman first experimented with him in a positive role in Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri (1977), as a villain in the first half and a do-gooder in the second, accepting a woman with a child ditched by her lover.Around this time Mullum Malarum (1978), directed by J. Mahendran, established Rajinikanth on the Tamil film arena. The success of Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri prompted Muthuraman to make a mushy melodrama with Rajinikanth as a hero sacrificing everything for his siblings in Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai (1979). Even while the film was in the making, Rajinikanth had misgivings about whether the audience would accept him in tear jerkers of this kind. But its box-office success made Rajinikanth popular among women audience. These films were the turning points in Rajinikanth’s career — he changed from an actor who merely enthralled the audiences, to one who could also make them weep. The acceptance of Rajinikanth sans his mannerisms proved he had at last become an "actor" from a "star."

His film roles were mainly as a villain during the period 1975 to 1977, usually with Kamal Hassan as the hero, in movies like 16 Vayadhinilae and Avargal (both 1977).

1980-1989

At this crucial phase in his career when he was reaching dizzying heights, Rajinikanth abruptly chose to quit acting, and was coaxed back[12]. As an answer to critics who were claiming that "Rajini was finished" came Billa, a remake of the Amitabh Bachchan starrer Don. With its phenomenal success he was accepted as a full-fledged hero. Billa was followed by a row of hits like Pokkiri Raja, Thanikattu Raja, Naan Mahaan Alla and Moondru Mugam. Even two decades after its release, the last continues to be a box-office draw. K. Balachander’s first home production, Netrikan proved to be yet another milestone in Rajini’s career. Rajinikanth's reputation continued to solidify in the 80's primarily due to movies remade from Amitabh Bachchan's Bollywood hits. Amitabh hits such as Khud-Daar, Namak Halaal, Lawaaris, Trishul, and Kasme Vaade, were remade into hit Rajinikanth starrers Padikkadavan, Velaikaran, Panakkaran, Mr. Bharath, and Dharmathin Thalaivan, respectively. He even acted as himself alongside Meena, who was a child actor then, in the movie Anbulla Rajinikanth (1984) In his 100th movie, Sri Raghavendra, he played the Hindu saint Raghavendra Swami.

1990-Present

Unlike the eighties, several movies of his during the nineties were successful, like Muthu[6] and Baashha. Rajinikanth wrote his first screenplay for the film Valli (1993), and said to the media that it would be his last film (but it was not the case as he acted again). His film Muthu was the first Tamil film to be dubbed into Japanese as Muthu: The Dancing Maharajah and became very popular in Japan.[7][8] When he was 53, his Baba released amidst much fanfare. Although the film grossed enough to cover its budget, it was viewed as a miserable showing and fell short of market expectations accumulating heavy losses for the distributors. Rajinikanth himself repaid the losses incurred by the distributors who had immense faith in him.[9][10] His latest film, Sivaji: The Boss, directed by S. Shankar released on June 15, 2007. Rajnikanth will now be lending his voice to the lead character (based on himself) in an animation film for Adlabs titled Sultan:The Warrior to be directed by his daughter Soundarya Rajnikanth. The movie is scheduled for a 2008 release.

Other work

Apart from Tamil, Rajinikanth has acted in over 160 movies, including Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Bengali movies. Rajinikanth made a foray into Bollywood with Andha Kanoon but couldn't make as much of an impact as he had in the south. He still made a few films in Hindi, like Chaalbaaz with Sridevi. He also had a brief stint in Hollywood with the movie Bloodstone in 1988.

Awards and honours

Rajinikanth was named as one of the influential persons in South Asia by Asiaweek.[11] He has won the Filmfare Best Actor award and many awards during his career for his acting.[12]

In the years between 1977 and 2005 Rajinikanth has received awards from many organizations, like Cinema Express, Filmfans Association, Filmfare etc., for his on-screen performances and off-screen abilities in writing and producing. He has received awards in the Best Actor category for his performance in the films Padayappa, Peddarayudu, Basha, Muthu, Annamalai, Thalapathy, Velaikaran, Sri Raghavendra, Nallavanuku Nallavan, Moondru Mugam, Enkeyo Ketta Kural, Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai, Mullum Malarum and 16 Vayathinile. He received award for Best Actor in Supporting Role for Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri. He has also received awards in Best Story Writer and Best Producer categories for Valli.

He has also received other honours such as Raj Kapoor Award (2007) from the Government of Maharastra, Padma Bhushan (2000)[2] from Government of India, Kalaichelvam Award (1995) from the Nadigar Sangam, Oshobismit Award (1995) for Spirituality from Rajinish Ashram, MGR Award (1989) and Kalaimamani Award (1984) from the Government of Tamilnadu.

Politics

  • 1995 Announced that he is willing to support the Congress party after meeting Prime Minister Narasimha Rao.[13] An opinion poll conducted by Kumudam magazine predicted that Congress with Rajinikanth support may win up to 130 seats in Tamilnadu Assembly
  • 1996 Congress decided to align with AIADMK. Rajinikanth supported DMK-TMC alliance. The TMC used the Bicycle as their election symbol and used Rajinikanth's riding Bicycle in Annamalai movie in their posters. Rajinikanth uttered "Even God cannot save Tamilnadu if AIADMK returns to power".[14]
  • 1998 Rajinikanth supported the DMK-TMC alliance in parliamentary elections.[15] SUN TV broadcast Rajini's speech throughout the day of the election. AIADMK-BJP alliance won around 30 out of 39 seats riding on sympathy wave generated by Coimbatore bomb blasts.
  • 2002 Rajinikanth undertook one day fasting condemning Karnataka's decision to not to release Cauvery water to Tamilnadu.[16] Announced that he would contribute 10 Million rupees towards interlinking of Indian rivers scheme.[17] He met Prime Minister Vajpayee and many experts to canvass support for Interlinking Indian rivers scheme.
  • 2004 Supported BJP-AIADMK alliance in Parliamentary elections[18] and quoted PMK's violence and BJP's support to interlinking of Indian rivers[19] as reason for his support. But the alliance failed to win any seats.

Political Controversies

  • He did not participate in the agitation sponsored by Tamil film artists in Neyveli protesting against Karnataka's refusal to release Cauvery water. Instead he participated in token fasting at Chennai. Bharathiraja who organized agitation attacked him vehemently and assigned bad intentions for his non participation in the agitation.[20]
  • PMK leader Ramadas condemned him for smoking and posing with Beedi's in his film Baba. He was criticised for spoiling Tamil youth by glorifying smoking and drinking. PMK volunteers attacked theatres which screened the movie Baba and usurped film rolls and burnt it.[21]. Famous film producers like M. Saravanan accused that cigarette smoking and drinking are shown in all movies and Rajini's film was chosen by the PMK leader because of his popularity in Vanniar areas which is considered PMK bastion.[citation needed]

Criticisms

Punch Dialogues

Rajinikanth's films are known for their "punch" dialogues.[22] These are rhyming lines of dialogue delivered by the Rajinikanth to indirectly express his principles or position on political issues. Tamil magazines sometimes conduct competitions to predict possible punch dialogues for his forthcoming films.[23] These dialogues are repeated many times in his movies and most of these have significance to the political situation at the time of release of relevant movies. Listed below are some notable "punch" dialogues:

Moondru Mugam(1982)
  • Ekambaram: "Ekambaramnu sonna vayithula irukura kozhandhai kooda vaaya moodum." (ஏகாம்பரம்: "ஏகாம்பரம்னு சொன்னா, வயித்துல இருக்கிற குழந்தை கூட வாயை மூடும்") - "Say the name 'Ekambaram' and even an unborn child will shut its mouth and hush up."
  • Alex Pandian: "Adhe kozhandhai kitta Alex Pandiyannu sonna, innoru kaiyale avanga amma vaayayum moodum!" ( அலெக்ஸ் பாண்டியன்: "அதே குழந்தைகிட்டே அலெக்ஸ் பாண்டியன்னு சொன்னா, இன்னொரு கையாலே அவங்க அம்மா வாயையும் சேர்த்து மூடும்") - "Well, if you say the name 'Alex Pandian' to that same unborn child, it will even close its mother's mouth with its other hand!"
Annamalai (film) (1992)
  • "Naan solrathaiyum seiven, sollaathathiyum seiven." (நான் சொல்கிறதையும் செய்வேன், சொல்லாததையும் செய்வேன்) - "I will do what I say, may also do what I don't say."
Basha (film) (1995)
  • "Naan oru dharavai sonna nooru dharavai sonna maadhiri." (நான் ஒரு தடவை சொன்னால் நூறு தடவை சொன்ன மாதிரி) - "If i say it once, it's akin to having said it a hundred times."
Muthu (film) (1995)
  • "Naan eppa varuven, eppadi varuvennu yarukkum theriyadhu, aana varavendiya neratthil correct-aga varuven." (நான் எப்ப வருவேன், எப்படி வருவேன்னு யாருக்கும் தெரியாது, ஆனா வருவேன்டிய நேரத்தில் கரெக்டா வருவேன்) - "When I will arrive, or how I will arrive, nobody will know, but I will arrive when I ought to."
Arunachalam (1997)
  • "Andavan solran. Arunachalam seiran." (ஆண்டவன் சொல்றான், அருணாச்சலம் செய்றான்) - "God commands, Arunachalam executes."
Padayappa (1999)
  • "En vazhi – thani vazhi." (என் வழி; தனி வழி) - "My way is a unique way."
Baba (2002 film) (2002)
  • "Khatham, gatham." (க்ஹதம் கதம்) - "The past is past."
Sivaji: The Boss (2007)
  • "Sivaji pera ketale chumma adhurudhulla" - "As soon as you hear my name you will feel the tremors"
  • "Kanna panninga dhaan kootama varum, singam single-a dhaan varum" - "Only pigs come in a gang, lion comes alone"
  • "COOOL...!!"

Punch dialogue delivered by Vivek:

  • "Boss" - "Bachelor of Social Service"
  • "Sixkku appuram seven da, Sivajikku appuram yevenda" - "After six there is seven, after Sivaji there is no one."
  • "Kuzhanthaigal paakurathu pogo, sivajikita vendaam go go"
  • "Chittoor Thaandina Kaatpaadi, Sivajiya cheendinaa Dead Body!" - "If you cross Chittoor you will reach Kaatpaadi, If you tease Sivaji you will become a Deadbody!"

Philanthropic Activities

Rajinikanth is known for philanthropic activities.[7]

  • Recently he converted his Raghavendra Marriage Hall to a charitable trust to help the needy.[24]
  • He shared his income from the film "Arunachalam" with eight other people from the film industry as profit shares .[25]
  • He is planning to construct a new hospital and a new school on a piece of land near Chennai.[26]
  • He has distributed Rs 12 Lakhs as relief to the family members of the bereaved in the Coimbatore bomb blast.[27]

Trivia

  • He sang a song in the film Mannan (Adikkuthu Kuliru).

References

  1. ^ a b "RajiniKanth.com - Bio-Data". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
  2. ^ a b "Civilian Awards announced on January 26, 2000" (in Tamil). Ministry of Home Affairs (India). Retrieved 2007-04-20.
  3. ^ a b "Meet the bus driver Rajni worked with". Rediff.com. June 13, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-14.
  4. ^ "Rajinikanthʼs grandson Yathra". Yahoo India Movies. {{cite web}}: Text "2007-05-16" ignored (help)
  5. ^ "Rajini's History (Part 5)" (in Tamil). Rajinifans. Retrieved 2007-04-20.
  6. ^ "It's India-Japan Friendship Year" (in Tamil). The Hindu. Retrieved 2007-04-20.
  7. ^ a b "RajiniKanth.com - Histroy". RajiniKanth.com. Retrieved 2007-04-20.
  8. ^ Gautaman Bhaskaran (January 06, 2002). "Rajnikanth casts spell on Japanese viewers". The Hindu. Retrieved 2007-05-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ N Sathiya Moorthy (May 03, 2003). "Film producer GV commits suicide". Rediff.com. Retrieved 2007-05-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Sudhish Kamath (May 12, 2004). "Superstar wannabes". The Hindu: Metro Plus. Retrieved 2007-05-17.
  11. ^ http://entertainment.oneindia.in/celebrities/specials/rajinikanth-030407.html]
  12. ^ "Awards for RajiniKanth Movies". Retrieved 2007-04-05.
  13. ^ [1]
  14. ^ [2]
  15. ^ [3]
  16. ^ [4]
  17. ^ [5]
  18. ^ [6]
  19. ^ [7]
  20. ^ "Rally exposes politicised film industry". 2002-10-12. Retrieved 2007-04-05.
  21. ^ "Rajini keeps everyone guessing". 2004-03-23. Retrieved 2007-04-05.
  22. ^ Top 25 legendary punch lines of Rajinikanth
  23. ^ [8]
  24. ^ [9]
  25. ^ [10]
  26. ^ "Rajini to build hospital, school". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 2007-04-20.
  27. ^ [11]
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