Rajinikanth
Known for: Acting
Rajinikanth (born Shivaji Rao Gaikwad; 12 December 1950) is an Indian actor, producer, and screenwriter who works primarily in Tamil cinema. He made his cinematic debut in a supporting antagonistic role in K. Balachander's Tamil drama *Apoorva Raagangal* (1975). Known for his distinctive acting style and dialogue delivery, he has become an established and commercially bankable actor in Indian cinema. After initially portraying villains and anti-heroes, Rajinikanth transitioned to lead roles during the late 1970s and 1980s. His collaborations with director S. P. Muthuraman included *Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri* (1977), *Murattu Kaalai* (1980), and *Nallavanukku Nallavan* (1984). His notable films of the 1990s included Suresh Krisnna's *Annamalai* (1992) and *Baashha* (1995), K. S. Ravikumar's *Muthu* (1995), and *Padayappa* (1999). During the 2000s and 2010s, Rajinikanth appeared in P. Vasu's horror-comedy *Chandramukhi* (2005), Shankar's action film *Sivaji: The Boss* (2007), and the science-fiction films *Enthiran* (2010) and *2.0* (2018). He also starred in Pa. Ranjith's dramas *Kabali* (2016) and *Kaala* (2018), and Karthik Subbaraj's action film *Petta* (2019). He received the Padma Bhushan in 2000, the Padma Vibhushan in 2016, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2021. In 2023, Rajinikanth starred in Nelson Dilipkumar's action film *Jailer*. His 2024 releases included an extended cameo as Moideen Bhai in Aishwarya Rajinikanth's *Lal Salaam* and the lead role in T. J. Gnanavel's action-drama *Vettaiyan*. His subsequent films include Lokesh Kanagaraj's action thriller *Coolie* (2025) and Nelson Dilip Kumar's sequel *Jailer 2* (2026). Notable Upcoming Films Ashwath Marimuthu's *Dharman* (2027) and Nelson Dilip Kumar's *RKxKH Re-Union*.
Filmography
Film
Jailer 2
Muthuvel 'Tiger' Pandian
2026
Film
Coolie
Devaraj 'Deva'
2025
Film
Jailer
Muthuvel 'Tiger' Pandian
2023
Film
Ra.One
Chitti / Self
2011
Film
Enthiran
Dr. Vaseegaran / Chitti
2010
Naan Vazhavaippen
Michael D' Souza
1979
Film
Asli Naqli
Birju Ustad
1986
Film
Kuppathu Raja
Jakku / Jayakumar
1979
Film
Chandramukhi
Dr. Saravanan / Vettaiyan Raja
2005
Film
Thambikku Entha Ooru
Balu
1984
Film
Wafadaar
Ranga
1985
Film
Sivaji: The Boss
Sivaji Arumugam
2007
Galaate Samsaara
Sundar
1977
Film
2.0
Dr. Vaseegaran / Chitti / Kutti
2018
Film
KHxRK: Reunion
Aame Katha
1977
Film
Annaatthe
'Annaatthe' Kaalaiyaan
2021
Film
Baalu Jenu
Vasu
1976
Film
Vayasu Pilichindi
Murali
1978
Film
Hum Mein Shahenshah Koun
Iddaru Asadhyule
Inspector Bhaskar
1979
Mahaguru
Vijay / Mahaguru
1985
Film
Kaala
Karikaalan Vengaiyan 'Kaala'
2018
Film
Petta
Petta 'Kaali' Velan
2019
Film
Darbar
Aadithya Arunachalam IPS
2020
Film
Anbukku Naan Adimai
1980
Series
Into the Wild with Bear Grylls & Akshay Kumar
2020
Film
Dharman
Dharman
Film
Padayappa
Padayappa
1999
Film
Arunachalam
Arunachalam / Vedhachalam
1997
Film
Baba
Baba / Mahavatar Babaji
2002
Tholireyi Gadichindi
1977
Annadammula Savaal
1978
Film
Kabali
'Kabali' Kabaliswaran
2016
Film
Ilamai Oonjaladukirathu
1978
Film
Kodai Mazhai
Self
1986
Film
Jeevana Poratam
Ravi
1986
Naan Potta Saval
1980
Kiladi Kittu
Inspector Srikanth
1978
Film
Bloodstone
Shyam Sabu
1988
Aaru Pushpangal
1977
Film
Nallavanukku Nallavan
1984
Film
Siva
Siva (Tiger)
1989
Film
Aatank Hi Aatank
Munna
1995
Film
Chithirame Chithirame
1985
Nyayam Meere Cheppali
Atmaram
1985
Film
Panakkaran
Muthu
1990
Film
Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum
Kamaruddin
1979
Paavathin Sambalam
Kathiravan
1978
Film
Thai Veedu
1983
Film
Tamacha
Vicky
1988
Film
Bulandi
Ghajraj Thakur
2000
Ondu Premada Kathe
Chairman of village panchayat
1977
Film
Mangudi Minor
Kumar
1978
Ranuva Veeran
Raghu
1981
Sashti Viratham
Mahout
1983
Film
16 Vayathinile
Parattai
1977
Series
Into the Wild with Bear Grylls & Rajinikanth
2020
Film
Mappillai
Arumugam
1989
Film
Ellam Un Kairasi
Raja
1980
Film
Hum
Kumar Malhotra
1991
Film
Muthu
Muthu / Muthu's father
1995
Film
Chaalbaaz
Jaggu
1989
Film
Naan Sigappu Manithan
Professor Vijay / Robinhood
1985
Film
Thalapathi
Surya
1991
Film
Mr. Bharath
Bharat
1986
Film
Dharmathin Thalaivan
Balu(lecturer) and Shankar
1988
Film
Athisaya Piravi
1990
Film
Velaikkaran
Ragupathy
1987
Film
Moondru Mudichu
Prasath
1976
Film
Andhaa Kaanoon
Vijay Kumar Singh
1983
Film
Kathanayakudu
Ashok Kumar
2008
Film
Periya Idathu Pillai
Self
1990
Film
Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai
Santhanam
1979
Film
Vettaiyan
SP V. Athiyan IPS
2024
Film
Agni Sakshi
Self
1982
Film
Dharma Durai
Dharmadurai
1991
Film
Naan Mahaan Alla
Viswanath
1984
Film
Lingaa
Raja Lingeswaran / Lingaa
2014
Film
Thappu Thalangal
Devu
1978
Film
Raghupathi Raghavan Rajaram
Veeraiyan
1977
Film
Kuselan
Ashok Kumar
2008
Film
Baasha
Manikkam / Manik Baashha
1995
Film
Kochadaiiyaan
Kochadaiiyaan / Ranadheeran / Senadheeran
2014
Film
Manithan
1987
Film
Kodi Parakuthu
Erode Shivagiri / Dada
1989
Film
Veera
Muthuveerappan
1994
Film
Endhiran Making of Robot
Self
2010
Manathil Uruthi Vendum
Cameo
1987
Film
Mullum Malarum
Kaali
1978
Film
Kumkuma Rakshe
1977
Film
Cinema Veeran
Self (voice)
2017
Film
Iraivan Kodutha Varam
Rajnikanth
1978
Film
Aval Appadithan
Thyagu
1978
Film
Apoorva Raagangal
Pandiyan
1975
Film
Pudhu Kavithai
Anand
1982
Film
Sahodarara Savaal
Somashekar
1977
Film
Chilakamma Cheppindi
Ravi
1977
Oorkavalan
Kangeyan
1987
Film
Thee
Rajshekhar 'Raja'
1981
Film
Bairavi
Mookaiyah
1978
Film
Phool Bane Angaray
Inspector Ranjeet Singh
1991
Film
En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
1978
Film
Annamalai
Annamalai
1992
Film
Insaniyat Ke Devta
Anwar
1993
Film
Pedarayudu
Paparayudu
1995
Film
Valli
Veeraiyan
1993
Film
Gair Kanooni
Azam Khan
1989
Film
Tyagi
Shankar G. "Dadhu" Dayal
1992
Film
Dharma Yuddam
Vijay
1979
Film
Raja Chinna Roja
Raja
1989
Film
Uzhaippali
Tamilarasan/Tamilazhagan
1993
Film
Bhagya Debata
Singer (Guest appearence)
1997
Film
Thaayillamal Naanillai
'Pichuva' Pakkiri
1979
Film
Enkeyo Ketta Kural
1982
Film
Un Kannil Neer Vazhinthal...
Ravi
1985
Film
Yaar?
1985
Film
Thanga Magan
Arun
1983
Film
Guru Sishyan
Raja aka Guru
1988
Gayathri
Rajarathnam
1977
Film
Viduthalai
Raja
1986
Film
Dosti Dhushmani
Inspector Ranjith
1986
Film
Bhrashtachar
Abdul Sattar
1989
Film
Aayiram Jenmangal
1978
Film
Shanti Kranti
Inspector Subhash (Tamil & Hindi Version)
1991
Film
Katha Sangama
Kondaji
1976
Film
Anthuleni Katha
Murthy
1976
Film
Thai Meethu Sathiyam
1978
Film
Yejaman
Kanthavelu Vaanavarayan
1993
Maathu Tappada Maga
Chandru
1978
Film
Murattu Kaalai
1980
Film
Ninaithale Inikkum
Deepak
1979
Film
Anbulla Rajinikanth
1984
Film
Paayum Puli
Paayum Puli
1983
Film
Farishtay
Arjun Ramojirao
1991
Film
Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri
Sampath
1977
Film
Polladhavan
Manohar
1980
Film
Billa
Billa / Rajappa
1980
Film
Justice Gopinath
Ravi
1978
Film
Avargal
Ramanathan
1977
Film
Kai Kodukkum Kai
1984
Film
Geraftaar
Inspector Hussein (Cameo appearance)
1985
Film
Aadu Puli Attam
Rajini
1977
Film
John Jani Janardhan
1984
Film
Kazhugu
Rajasekar
1981
Film
Kaali
Kaali
1980
Film
Pandiyan
Pandiyan
1992
Film
Netrikan
Chakravarthy/Santhosh
1981
Film
Lal Salaam
Moideen Bhai
2024
Film
Uttar Dakshin
Shankar
1987
Film
Priya
Ganesh
1978
Film
Padikkadavan
Rajendran
1985
Film
Insaaf Kaun Karega
Vikram Singh
1987
Film
Dreams of Hind and Camilia
(archive footage)
1988
Film
Daku Hasina
1987
Film
Bhagwaan Dada
Bhagwaan Dada
1986
Film
Pokkiri Raja
1982
Film
Meri Adalat
Inspector Ashok
1984
Film
Naan Adimai Illai
1986
Film
Johnny
Johnny / Vidyasagar
1980
Film
Sri Raghavendrar
Raghavendra Swami
1985
Film
Mannan
Krishnan
1992
Film
Khoon Ka Karz
Kishan
1991
Film
Adutha Varisu
Kannan
1983
Film
Annai Oru Alayam
1979
Film
Saranam Ayyappa
1980
Film
Rajathi Raja
Raja/Chinnarasu
1989
Film
Natchathiram
1980
Film
Moondru Mugam
1982
Sadhurangam
1978
Film
Tiger
Rashid
1979
Film
Maaveeran
1986
Film
Sivappu Sooriyan
1983
Film
Vanakkathukuriya Kathaliye
Joe
1978
Film
Kavikkuyil
Murugan
1977
Film
Thillu Mullu
Chandran / Indiran
1981
Film
Thanikattu Raja
1982
Film
Bewafai
Ranveer
1985
Garjanai
1981
Film
Uruvavugal Maralam
God
1983
Film
Ram Robert Rahim
Ram
1980
Film
Ilaiyaraaja
Self
Film
Ranga
1982
Film
Gangvaa
Chameli
1984
Film
Thudikkum Karangal
1983
Nandri, Meendum Varuga
1982
Film
Shankar Salim Simon
Simon
1978
Untitled Rajnikanth - Nithilan Saminathan Film