Soundarya Rajinikanth
{{short description|Indian graphic designer, film producer and film director (born 1984)}}
{{Indian patronymic|Soundarya|Rajnikanth}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Soundarya Rajinikanth promotes VIP2 in Delhi.jpg
| caption = Soundarya in 2017
| birth_name = Shaku Bai Rao Gaikwad
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|09|20|df=y}}
| birth_place = Madras, Tamil Nadu, India (present-day Chennai)
| death_date =
| death_place =
| yearsactive = 2002–present
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Ashwin Ramkumar|2010 |2017|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Vishagan Vanangamudi|2019}}}}
| children = 2
| occupation = Graphic designer, Film producer, Film director
| father = Rajinikanth
| mother = Latha Rajinikanth
| relatives = Aishwarya Rajinikanth (sister); see Rajinikanth family
}}
Soundarya Rajinikanth (born Shaku Bai Rao Gaikwad; 20 September 1984) is an Indian graphic designer, film producer and film director who primarily works in the Tamil cinema.
She is the founder and owner of Ocher Picture Productions. Soundarya began her career in films as a graphic designer. For those starring her father Rajinikanth, she designed the title sequences. She became a film producer with Goa (2010). She made her debut as a film director with the film Kochadaiyaan (2014).
Career
Soundarya Rajinikanth, born as Shaku Bai Rao Gaikwad{{cite news|last=Gupta|first=Priya|date=12 September 2013|title=My mom is the boss: Soundarya Rajnikanth Ashwin|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/soundarya-rajnikanth-ashwin-28-would-have-loved-to-be-called-by-her-original-name-shaku-bai-rao-gaikwad-rajinikanths-original-name-was-shivaji-rao-gaikwad-she-has-always-been-clear-about-what-she-wanted-to-do-and-chose-directing-over-acting-and-animation-over-everything-else-being-the-younger-daughter-she-knows-she-is-naughty-and-the-biggest-fan-of-her-superstar-father-rajinikanth-/articleshow/22484230.cms|access-date=4 September 2021|archive-date=7 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807080057/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/soundarya-rajnikanth-ashwin-28-would-have-loved-to-be-called-by-her-original-name-shaku-bai-rao-gaikwad-rajinikanths-original-name-was-shivaji-rao-gaikwad-she-has-always-been-clear-about-what-she-wanted-to-do-and-chose-directing-over-acting-and-animation-over-everything-else-being-the-younger-daughter-she-knows-she-is-naughty-and-the-biggest-fan-of-her-superstar-father-rajinikanth-/articleshow/22484230.cms|url-status=live}} did her childhood education in the Ashram Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Velachery, Chennai.
In 2007, Ocher Studios signed an agreement with Warner Bros Entertainment to partner up in producing and distributing Tamil films.{{cite web | url=http://www.smubla.com/view.cgi?key=b835ec34cfb888133f9c1b8e9e50da9a | title=Soundarya ties up with Warner Brothers! | publisher=Smubla | date=8 January 2008 | access-date=23 November 2011 | archive-date=20 February 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220165057/http://www.smubla.com/view.cgi?key=b835ec34cfb888133f9c1b8e9e50da9a | url-status=dead }} Her directorial debut was supposed to be Sultan: The Warrior, a 3D animated film featuring her father Rajinikanth. Despite heavy pre-production promotion, including a teaser of the film and an interactive website, the film was dropped.{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Soundarya-and-Aishwarya-the-sisters-sort-it-out/articleshow/12501606.cms | title=Soundarya and Aishwarya – the sisters sort it out | work=The Times of India | date=2 April 2012 | access-date=13 May 2012 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707080256/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-02/news-interviews/31274854_1_sisters-sibling-rivalry-soundarya-rajinikanth | archive-date=7 July 2012 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }} She instead directed Kochadaiiyaan, India's first motion capture film, with Rajinikanth in the lead role.{{cite web | url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kochadaiiyaan-box-office-collection-rajinikanth-deepika-starrer-rocks-opening-day-600946 | title='Kochadaiiyaan' Box Office Collection: Rajinikanth-Deepika Starrer Rocks on Opening Day | work=International Business Times | access-date=28 September 2016 | last=Ronamai | first=Raymond | date=24 May 2014 | archive-date=26 May 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526125323/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kochadaiiyaan-box-office-collection-rajinikanth-deepika-starrer-rocks-opening-day-600946 | url-status=live }} Through Kochadaiiyaan, Soundarya earned the distinction of becoming the first woman to direct her father in a feature film.{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Soundarya-Rajnikanth-is-the-first-daughter-to-direct-her-father/articleshow/22599652.cms | title=Soundarya Rajnikanth is the first daughter to direct her father | work=The Times of India | date=16 September 2013 | access-date=18 October 2016 | archive-date=10 June 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610013950/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Soundarya-Rajnikanth-is-the-first-daughter-to-direct-her-father/articleshow/22599652.cms | url-status=live }} At the NDTV Indian of the Year awards 2014, she was honoured for "Technical Innovation In Film".{{cite web | url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/ndtv-indian-of-the-year-soundarya-rajinikanth-honoured-for-technical-innovation-in-film-515883 | title=NDTV Indian Of The Year: Soundarya Rajinikanth honoured for Technical Innovation In Film - NDTV Movies | publisher=NDTV | access-date=28 September 2016 | archive-date=18 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018192959/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/ndtv-indian-of-the-year-soundarya-rajinikanth-honoured-for-technical-innovation-in-film-515883 | url-status=dead }}
In 2016, she worked on the pre-production of a film titled Nilavukku En Mel Ennadi Kobam with Dhanush, Kajal Aggarwal and Manjima Mohan, but the film was later dropped.{{Cite web|url = https://silverscreen.in/news/kajal-aggarwal-manjima-mohan-talks-join-soundarya-rajinikanths-next/|title = Kajal Aggarwal & Manjima Mohan in Talks to Join Soundarya Rajinikanth's Next|date = 4 November 2016|access-date = 26 August 2019|archive-date = 26 August 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190826230228/https://silverscreen.in/news/kajal-aggarwal-manjima-mohan-talks-join-soundarya-rajinikanths-next/|url-status = dead}} It was revived in 2023 without Soundarya's involvement.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-25 |title=Did you know Soundarya Rajinikanth was supposed to direct Dhanush's 'Nilavuku...'? |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/did-you-know-soundarya-rajinikanth-was-supposed-to-direct-dhanushs-nilavuku-en-mel-ennadi-kobam-2480149-2023-12-25 |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=16 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616071457/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/did-you-know-soundarya-rajinikanth-was-supposed-to-direct-dhanushs-nilavuku-en-mel-ennadi-kobam-2480149-2023-12-25 |url-status=live }} Her next directorial venture was Velaiilla Pattadhari 2, shot in Tamil and Telugu languages.{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2016/sep/27/kabali-producer-to-bankroll-soundarya-rajinikanths-next-directorial-1523481.html | title='Kabali' producer to bankroll Soundarya Rajinikanth's next directorial project | work=The New Indian Express | date=27 September 2016 | access-date=18 October 2016 | agency=Indo-Asian News Service | archive-date=24 March 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324224058/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2016/sep/27/Kabali-producer-to-bankroll-Soundarya-Rajinikanths-next-directorial-1523481.html | url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/soundarya-rajinikanth-to-direct-dhanush-in-vip-2/article9323750.ece|title=Soundarya Rajinikanth to direct Dhanush in VIP 2|work=The Hindu|date=9 November 2016|access-date=15 November 2016|archive-date=11 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111211928/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/soundarya-rajinikanth-to-direct-dhanush-in-vip-2/article9323750.ece|url-status=live}}
In 2019, She started a production company called May 6 Entertainment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/soundarya-rajinikanth-may-6th-entertainment-announcment-superstar-rajinikanth-birthday-thalaivar-168-tamil-news-249375|title=Soundarya Rajinikanth's exciting {{sic|announc|ment|nolink=y}} on Thalaivar birthday eve - Tamil News|date=2019-12-11|website=IndiaGlitz.com|access-date=2020-01-05|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229040935/https://www.indiaglitz.com/soundarya-rajinikanth-may-6th-entertainment-announcment-superstar-rajinikanth-birthday-thalaivar-168-tamil-news-249375|url-status=live}} She founded Hoote, a social media platform that is based on voice messages.
Personal life
Soundarya is the younger daughter of actor Rajinikanth and his wife Latha. She has one elder sister, Aishwarya Rajinikanth.
Soundarya married Ashwin Ramkumar, an industrialist, on 3 September 2010 at Rani Meyyammai Hall in Chennai.{{cite web | url=http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6684812-soundarya-rajinikanth-wedding-rajinikanth-daughter-soundarya-marriage-pictures/content/62941043-soundarya-wedding-photos | title=Soundarya Rajinikanth wedding : Rajinikanth daughter Soundarya marriage pictures | publisher=Allvoices.com | date=4 September 2010 | access-date=23 November 2011 | archive-date=11 September 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911222745/http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6684812-soundarya-rajinikanth-wedding-rajinikanth-daughter-soundarya-marriage-pictures/content/62941043-soundarya-wedding-photos | url-status=live }} The couple has a son born on 6 May 2015.{{cite web | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/soundarya-rajinikanth-baby-boy-ashwin-ramkumar-aishwarya-dhanush/1/435161.html | title=Its a boy for Soundarya Rajinikanth | work=India Today | access-date=28 September 2016 | archive-date=9 May 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509204205/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/soundarya-rajinikanth-baby-boy-ashwin-ramkumar-aishwarya-dhanush/1/435161.html | url-status=live }} In September 2016, Soundarya revealed that she and her husband had filed for divorce by mutual consent due to irreconcilable differences.{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Soundarya-Rajinikanth-confirms-divorce/articleshow/54374709.cms | title=Soundarya Rajinikanth confirms divorce | work=The Times of India | date=17 September 2016 | access-date=17 September 2016 | archive-date=17 September 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917164529/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Soundarya-Rajinikanth-confirms-divorce/articleshow/54374709.cms | url-status=live }} In July 2017, the couple officially divorced.{{cite news|last1=Goyal|first1=Divya|title=Soundarya Rajinikanth And Ashwin Are Officially Divorced|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/soundarya-rajinikanth-and-ashwin-are-officially-divorced-1720635|publisher=NDTV|date=5 July 2017|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-date=11 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811153232/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/soundarya-rajinikanth-and-ashwin-are-officially-divorced-1720635|url-status=live}}
She married Vishagan Vanangamudi, an actor and businessman, on 11 February 2019 at Leela Palace in Chennai.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/south-gossip/article/confirmed-soundarya-rajinikanth-to-wed-vishagan-vanangamudi-on-february-11-details-inside/352399|title=Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth to marry Vishagan Vanangamudi on February 11 - details here|access-date=23 January 2019|archive-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503074828/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/south-gossip/article/confirmed-soundarya-rajinikanth-to-wed-vishagan-vanangamudi-on-february-11-details-inside/352399|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/soundarya-rajinikanth-to-remarry-actor-vishagan/articleshow/66604921.cms | title=Soundarya Rajinikanth set for second marriage in January | work=The Times of India | date=13 November 2018 | access-date=16 November 2018 | archive-date=15 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115010257/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/soundarya-rajinikanth-to-remarry-actor-vishagan/articleshow/66604921.cms | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/soundarya-rajinikanth-second-marriage-vishagan-vanangamudi-1387566-2018-11-13 | title=Soundarya Rajinikanth gears up for second wedding in January 2019 | publisher=India Today | date=13 November 2018 | access-date=16 November 2018 | archive-date=16 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116131559/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/soundarya-rajinikanth-second-marriage-vishagan-vanangamudi-1387566-2018-11-13 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/141118/soundarya-rajinikanth-to-wed-again.html | title=Soundarya Rajinikanth to wed again | publisher=Deccan Chronicle | work=Anupama Subramanian | date=14 November 2018 | access-date=16 November 2018 | archive-date=16 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116085539/https://deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/141118/soundarya-rajinikanth-to-wed-again.html | url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2019/02/11/soundarya-rajinikanth-vishagan-wedding-venue-a-glimpse-of-the-bride.html|title=സൗന്ദര്യ രജനീകാന്ത് വിവാഹിതയായി; ചിത്രങ്ങളും വിഡിയോയും|website=ManoramaOnline|language=ml|access-date=2019-02-12|archive-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503080320/https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2019/02/11/soundarya-rajinikanth-vishagan-wedding-venue-a-glimpse-of-the-bride.html|url-status=live}} Their son Veer was born in 2022.{{cite news |title=Soundarya Rajinikanth blessed with a baby boy |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/soundarya-rajinikanth-blessed-with-a-baby-boy/articleshow/94143523.cms |access-date=20 August 2023 |publisher=Times of India |date=12 September 2022 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820200833/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/soundarya-rajinikanth-blessed-with-a-baby-boy/articleshow/94143523.cms |url-status=live }}
Filmography
=As graphic designer and film director=
| class="wikitable" | ||
| style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! Year !! Film ! Graphic ! Director!! Notes | ||
| 1999 | Padayappa
| {{Yes}} | | Title sketch only |
| 2002 | Baba
| {{Yes}} | | rowspan="2" | Title sequence only |
| rowspan="5"| 2005 | Chandramukhi
| {{Yes}} | | |
| Anbe Aaruyire
| {{Yes}} | | ||
| Sivakasi
| {{Yes}} | | | ||
| Majaa
| {{Yes}} | | | ||
| Sandakozhi
| {{Yes}} | | | ||
| rowspan="2"| 2007 | Chennai 600028
| {{Yes}} | | | |
| Sivaji
| {{Yes}} | | Title sequence only | |
| rowspan="1"|2014 | Kochadaiiyaan
| {{Yes}} | {{Yes}} | |
| 2017 | Velaiilla Pattadhari 2
| | {{Yes}} |
= As a producer=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |
| Year
! Title ! Notes | |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Goa
| |
= As an actor =
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
| Year
! Title ! Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| rowspan="1"|2008 | Kuselan
| Special appearance in song "Cinema Cinema" | |
| rowspan="1"|2014 | Kochadaiiyaan | Special appearance in "Engae Pogutho Vaanam" |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{ccat}}
- {{IMDb name|1983400}}
{{India Animation Industry}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rajinikanth, Soundarya}}
Category:Indian women film producers
Category:Film directors from Chennai
Category:Indian women film directors
Category:21st-century Indian designers
Category:Film producers from Chennai
Category:21st-century Indian women artists
Category:Women artists from Tamil Nadu
Category:Businesswomen from Tamil Nadu
Category:20th-century Indian businesswomen
Category:20th-century Indian businesspeople
Category:21st-century Indian businesswomen