Early Life: Born to Marathi mother in the city of Bangalore, Karnataka, Rajinikanth’s birth name was Shivaji Rao Gaekwad named after Chhatrapati Shivaji. Having grown up in a humble middle class family, the actor finished his studies in Bangalore itself and had to struggle throughout his life. Rajinikanth has worked as a coolie, a carpenter, carried rice sacks for money and finally gave exam to become a bus conductor working with Bangalore Transport Service.