Rajinikanth

Rajinikanth took to social media on March 14, 2026, to officially congratulate poet-lyricist Vairamuthu on being honored with the Jnanpith Award. In his message, the actor described the recipient as a dear friend and noted that the recognition is a significant honor for the nation.

Actor Yogi Babu shared a professional update regarding the progress of Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Jailer 2, confirming that script work is moving at a strong pace under director Nelson Dilipkumar. During a recent interaction, the comedian noted that the sequel is being developed to feature more significant character roles and an enhanced mix of action and dark humor compared to the first installment. Production activities for the project are reportedly in their final stages as the team prepares for the next phase of filming.

Actor Rajinikanth shared a message of condolence on March 12, 2026, following the passing of senior journalist KJ Kumar. In a social media post, the actor described Kumar as a dear friend who provided significant encouragement and support since the beginning of his acting career.

The Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) in Chennai has set aside a service tax demand against Rajinikanth on March 11, 2026. The tribunal ruled that the superstar's leased property qualified as a building used by a hotel, thereby falling under specific tax exclusions. This decision provides significant legal relief to the actor regarding long-standing tax liabilities related to his commercial premises.

Reports emerged on March 10, 2026, indicating that the filming for the highly anticipated sequel Jailer 2 is nearing completion, with the final schedule featuring an extended cameo by Shah Rukh Khan as a police officer. Rajinikanth has reportedly finished most of his portions for the Nelson Dilipkumar directorial, which is targeting a release around Independence Day 2026. Following this project, the actor is expected to begin work on his next film, Thalaivar 173, in April.

Latest industry reports indicate that Rajinikanth is set to reunite with Kamal Haasan for a highly anticipated project directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. Tentatively titled KH x RK, the film is expected to begin principal photography in August 2026, with a targeted theatrical release during the Dussehra or Diwali festival season in 2027.

Reports on March 8, 2026, indicate that Rajinikanth's upcoming film Jailer 2, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on August 14, 2026. The actor has reportedly completed a significant portion of his filming for the project, which is currently in active production alongside his other high-profile collaboration with Kamal Haasan.

Director Sundar C recently clarified that his departure from the upcoming project tentatively titled Thalaivar 173 was due to prior long-term professional commitments rather than any creative differences. The film, which is being produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, is now moving forward under the direction of Cibi Chakravarthi, with principal photography scheduled to commence in April 2026.

The Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) in Chennai has ruled in favor of Rajinikanth, setting aside a service tax demand of ₹56.8 lakh related to the leasing of his property, Raghavendra Mandapam. The tribunal clarified that buildings leased for hotel operations, such as the agreement in this case with Vasantha Bhavan Hotels, are specifically excluded from taxable renting services under the Finance Act. The final order granting this tax relief was officially pronounced and reported as favorble to the actor within the last 24 hours.

The makers of Rajinikanth’s upcoming film, tentatively titled #Thalaivar173, officially announced on March 5, 2026, that the project is scheduled for a theatrical release during the Pongal festival in January 2027. Directed by Cibi Chakravarthy and produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, the film has moved into full-scale pre-production following the finalization of the script, with principal photography expected to commence in mid-April 2026.

Reports emerged on March 5, 2025, that Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan is confirmed to appear in a significant role alongside Rajinikanth in the upcoming sequel Jailer 2. Professional updates from the film's set indicate that actor Jatin Sarna has wrapped his filming schedule, while a major sequence featuring Rajinikanth with multiple industry legends is planned for the final production phase.

When Rajini was working as a conductor his salary was around Rs.750

Rajinikanth was born to Jijabai and Ramoji Rao Gaikwad, a Maharashtrian couple living in Bangalore, and was named Shivaji Rao Gaikwad.

He started off his acting career with mythological Kannada plays. His most prominent role was that of Duryodhana.

His friend Raj Bahadur, with whom he is still close, encouraged him to pursue his dreams and become an actor. Bahadur asked him to enrol in the Madras Film Institute.

Rajinikanth was noticed in a Kannada play at the Film Institute by director K Balachander. 'Learn Tamil,' the director told Rajini before leaving.

After playing several negative roles and characters with grey shades, his first positive role was in S P Muthuraman's Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri.

Rajinikanth's first big commercial success was Billa, a remake of the 1978 Amitabh Bachchan-starrer, Don.

Moondru Moogam had Rajini playing a triple role for the first time. It earned him a Best Actor award from the Tamil Nadu government.

T Rama Rao's Andha Kanoon was Rajinikanth's first Bollywood film.

In 1988, Rajinikanth made an appearance in the English action adventure Bloodstone.

Rajinikanth's film Raaja Chinna Roja was the first Tamil film that included animation in the movie.

Thalapathi was also the superstar's only film that was released by the Censor Board with a U/A certificate.

The first movie that Rajinikanth wrote the screenplay for was Valli. He did a guest role in the film as well.

Baasha, which released in 1995, established the actor as a superstar and broke several box-office records.

Besides starring in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu films, Rajinikanth also starred in a Bengali film, Bhagya Debata.

Enthiran is the only Tamil film that made it into IMDb's Top 50 films from around the world list in 2010.

Rajinikanth usually goes to the Himalayas after the release of his films. Also to Bangalore however, is his favourite spot to hang out with his old buddies.

Enthiran has been included as a case study in an IIM-A postgraduate elective course, Contemporary Film Industry: A Business Perspective.

Meena is the only actress who has acted with him as a child artist and then as his heroine.

The superstar's blockbuster movie Enthiran was originally supposed to be done by Kamal Haasan.

A few of Rajini's fans started a political party called Desiya Dravadar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam in 2008 to pressure him to enter politics.But he refused, saying that nobody can force him to enter politics or stop him from doing so.