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Rajinikanth is one of the most iconic and celebrated actors in Indian cinema, especially in Tamil films. Known for his larger-than-life screen presence, unique style, and charismatic dialogue delivery, he has earned the status of a “superstar” across generations. Before entering films, he worked as a bus conductor in Bangalore. Trained at the Madras Film Institute, his breakthrough came with Apoorva Raagangal (1975), directed by K. Balachander.
Full Name: Shivaji Rao Gaikwad
Stage Name: Rajinikanth
Date of Birth: December 12, 1950
Birthplace: Bangalore, Mysore State (now Karnataka), India
Profession: Actor, Film Producer, Philanthropist
Years Active: 1975–present
Nationality: Indian
- About
- Career
Rajinikanth, born Shivaji Rao Gaikwad on 12 December 1950 in Bangalore, is an iconic Indian actor primarily known for his work in Tamil cinema. His journey from a bus conductor to becoming one of the most revered film stars in Asia is a testament to his immense talent, style, and hard work. With a career spanning over five decades and more than 160 films, Rajinikanth is widely regarded as the Superstar of Indian Cinema.
He began his film career with Apoorva Raagangal (1975), under the mentorship of legendary director K. Balachander. Initially cast in villainous and supporting roles, Rajinikanth soon emerged as a lead actor known for his charismatic screen presence, stylish mannerisms, and mass appeal.
His blockbuster films like Billa, Thalapathi, Baashha, Muthu, Padayappa, Sivaji, Enthiran (Robot), and Kabali have set records and built a cult following not just in South India but across Japan, Malaysia, and other parts of Asia.
Rajinikanth is also deeply spiritual and politically aware, often addressing socio-political issues and attempting to enter active politics through his now-dissolved movement Rajini Makkal Mandram.
Despite his superstardom, Rajinikanth is known for his humility, simplicity, and philanthropy. He maintains a low profile off-screen and has built a legend around his grounded nature and spiritual discipline.
Rajinikanth Filmography by Year –
🎥 Rajinikanth Filmography by Year
1975–1979
- 1975: Apoorva Raagangal (debut)
- 1976: Moondru Mudichu, Anthuleni Katha
- 1977: 16 Vayathinile, Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri, Mullum Malarum, along with Kannada/Telugu films (e.g. Sahodara Saval, Annadammula Savaal)
- 1978–1979: Major Tamil hits like Ninaithale Inikkum plus several Kannada, Telugu titles (e.g. Bairavi, Ilamai Oonjaladukirathu)
1980s
- 1980: Billa, Murattu Kaalai, Thillu Mullu
- 1982–1985: Moondru Mugam (triple role), Padikkadavan, Sri Raghavendrar (100th film), Dharmathin Thalaivan
- 1986–1989: Prolific period with diverse roles in Tamil & Hindi films (Naan Adimai Illai, Guru Sishyan, Siva, Raja Chinna Roja, Mappillai, Bhrashtachar, Chaalbaaz)
1990s
- 1990–1991: Panakkaran, Athisaya Piravi, and major Hindi crossovers like Hum, Farishtay, Khoon Ka Karz, plus Thalapathi (1991)
- 1992–1995: Annamalai, Mannan, Tyagi, Pandiyan, Insaniyat Ke Devta, Yajaman (1993), Muthu and Baashha (1995)
- 1997–1999: Arunachalam (1997), Padayappa (1999)
2000s
- 2000: Bulandi (Hindi)
- 2002: Baba (spiritual drama, Tamil)
- 2005: Chandramukhi (psycho‑thriller mega‑hit)
- 2007: Sivaji: The Boss (Shankar‑directed blockbuster)
- 2008: Kuselan (extended cameo, Tamil & Telugu)
2010s
- 2010: Enthiran (Robot)—sci‑fi blockbuster, Tamil & Hindi versions
- 2011: Cameo in Ra.One (Hindi)
- 2014: Kochadaiiyaan (motion‑capture), Lingaa
- 2016: Kabali (stylish gangster film)
- 2018: Kaala, 2.0 (sequel to Enthiran)
- 2019: Petta
2020s
- 2020: Darbar (action cop thriller)
- 2021: Annaatthe (family action drama)
- 2023: Jailer (mega‑comeback, highly successful) released on 10 Aug 2023
- 2024: Vettaiyan (lead in police drama), Lal Salaam (extended cameo)
Upcoming
- 2025: Coolie (official Thalaivar 171, action‑thriller by Lokesh Kanagaraj, releasing 14 Aug 2025)
- 2025 and beyond: Possible sequels like Jailer 2 (tentatively Thalaivar 172/173) in early development
📊 Summary Table (Select Years)
| Year Range | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|
| 1975–1979 | Debut in Apoorva Raagangal, breakout roles in Tamil, Telugu & Kannada |
| 1980s | Mass and comedy hits (Billa, Mullum Malarum, Padikkadavan, Dharmathin Thalaivan) |
| 1990s | Blockbusters (Baashha, Padayappa), multiplanguage pan-India presence |
| 2000s | Music-oriented films and mega‑hits (Chandramukhi, Sivaji, Enthiran) |
| 2010–2019 | High-tech/period experiments (Kochadaiiyaan, 2.0), Mass oriented films (Kabali, Kaala, Petta) |
| 2020–Present | Darbar, Annaatthe, Jailer, Vettaiyan, upcoming Coolie |
Here is a complete year-by-year filmography table of Rajinikanth’s films from 1975 through 2025 — all 183 titles as listed in IndianFilmHistory (indianfilmhistory.com). For clarity and readability, I’ve organized it in decade blocks, showing the first and last few entries per block, with key roles and languages (based on SouthMoviez details) (southmoviez.com).
📽 Rajinikanth Complete Filmography (1975–2025)
1975–1979 (Debut & Early Roles)
| Year | Title | Character / Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Apoorva Raagangal | Minor role (debut) | Tamil |
| … | Anthuleni Katha | Lead/Supporting | Telugu |
| … | 16 Vayathinile | Parattai | Tamil |
| … | Mullum Malarum | Kaali | Tamil |
| … | Ninaithale Inikkum | Ensemble cast | Tamil |
| 1979 | Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai | Supporting / ensemble | Tamil |
1980–1989 (Rise to Stardom)
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Billa | Rajappa / Billa (dual role) | Tamil |
| … | Murattu Kaalai | Kaalaiyan | Tamil |
| … | Thillu Mullu | Chandran / Indiran (dual role) | Tamil |
| … | Moondru Mugam | Alex Pandian (triple role) | Tamil |
| 1985 | Sri Raghavendrar | Sri Raghavendra (100th film) | Tamil |
| 1988 | Dharmathin Thalaivan | Balasubramanian / Shankar | Tamil |
| 1989 | Raja Chinna Roja | Raja (Kumar) | Tamil |
1990–1999 (Superstar Blockbusters)
| Year | Title | Role / lead character | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Panakkaran | Muthu | Tamil |
| 1991 | Thalapathi | Surya | Tamil |
| 1992 | Mannan / Annaamalai | Krishnan / Annaamalai | Tamil |
| 1993 | Yajaman | Kanthavelu Vaanavarayan | Tamil |
| 1995 | Baashha | Manikam (Manik Baashha) | Tamil |
| 1995 | Muthu | Muthu / Zamindar | Tamil |
| 1997 | Arunachalam | Arunachalam / Vedachalam | Tamil |
| 1999 | Padayappa | Aarupadayappan | Tamil |
2000–2009 (Occasional & Mega Hits)
| Year | Title | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Bulandi | Ghajraj Thakur | Hindi |
| 2002 | Baba | Baba / Mahavatar Babaji | Tamil |
| 2005 | Chandramukhi | Dr. Saravanan / Vettaiyan Raja | Tamil |
| 2007 | Sivaji: The Boss | Sivaji Arumugam | Tamil |
| 2008 | Kuselan | Ashok Kumar (cameo) | Tamil/Telugu |
| 2010 | Enthiran / Robot | Vaseegaran / Chitti | Tamil |
2010–2019 (High-Tech & Mass Entertainers)
| Year | Title | Role / Characters | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Ra.One | Chitti (cameo, as himself) | Hindi |
| 2014 | Kochadaiiyaan | Kochadaiiyaan / Senadheeran | Tamil |
| 2014 | Lingaa | Lingaa / Raja Lingeswaran | Tamil |
| 2016 | Kabali | Kabaliswaran (Kabali) | Tamil |
| 2018 | Kaala | Karikaalan | Tamil |
| 2018 | 2.0 | Vaseegaran / Chitti / Kutty | Tamil |
| 2019 | Petta | Petta Velan (Kaali) | Tamil |
2020–2025 (Recent & Upcoming Releases)
| Year | Title | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Darbar | Aaditya Arunasalam (IPS) | Tamil |
| 2021 | Annaatthe | Kaalaiyan | Tamil |
| 2023 | Jailer | “Tiger” Muthuvel Pandian | Tamil |
| 2024 | Lal Salaam | D. G. Mohideen (cameo) | Tamil |
| 2024 | Vettaiyan | SP V. Athiyan IPS | Tamil |
| 2025 | Coolie | Deva | Tamil |
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