Name	Rajinikanth
Height
Naionality	Indian
Date of Birth	12 December 1950
Place of Birth	Bangalore, Mysore State, India
Famous for	Acting

Rajinikanth, born 12 December 1950 as Shivaji Rao Gaikwad) is an Indian film actor, media personality, and cultural icon. He made his debut as an actor in the National Film Award-winning motion picture Apoorva Raagangal (1975), directed by K. Balachander, whom the actor considers his mentor.

After a brief phase of portraying antagonistic characters in Tamil films, he gradually rose to become an established film actor. Within a few years of his career, he was claimed to be the superstar of Tamil cinema and has since continued to hold a matinee idol status in the popular culture of India. His mannerisms and stylized delivery of dialogue in films contribute to his mass popularity and appeal. While working in other regional film industries of India, he also appeared in the cinemas of other nations, including in that of the United States. After being paid INR26 crore (US$5.9 million) for his role in Sivaji (2007), he became the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan. Other than acting, Rajinikanth also worked as a producer and screenwriter.

In a career spanning over 35 years Rajinikanth has acted in more than 150 films and has worked in almost all major film industries of India. In 2000, he was bestowed the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour for his contribution to Indian cinema. Apart from his film career, he is also a philanthropist, spiritualist and serves as an influence in Dravidian politics.