{{short description|Indian graphic designer, film producer and film director (born 1984)}} {{Indian patronymic|Soundarya|Rajnikanth}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}} {{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 = | years_active = 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 director who primarily works in 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) and made her debut as a film director with ''Kochadaiyaan'' (2014).
==Career== Soundarya Rajinikanth, born as Shaku Bai Rao Gaikwad<ref>{{cite news |last=Gupta |first=Priya |date=12 September 2013 |title=My mom is the boss: Soundarya Rajnikanth Ashwin |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 |url-status=live |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 |archive-date=7 August 2024 |access-date=4 September 2021 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> did her childhood education in the Ashram Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Velachery, Chennai.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}
{{anchor|Ocher Studios}}In 2005, Soundarya founded the visual effects studio Ocher Studios, and their first project was ''Chandramukhi'' the same year.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2008-04-23 |title=WB, India's Ocher pact |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wb-indias-ocher-pact-110041/ |access-date=2026-02-01 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-05-10 |title="We are a very close family" |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20080519-we-are-a-very-close-family-736288-2008-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825090650/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20080519-we-are-a-very-close-family-736288-2008-05-09 |archive-date=2019-08-25 |access-date=2026-02-01 |work=India Today |language=en}}</ref> In 2008, Ocher Studios signed an agreement with Warner Bros Entertainment to partner up in producing and distributing Tamil films.<ref name=":0" /> Her debut as producer was ''Goa'' (2010).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-10-15 |title=Soundarya, stirred not shaken |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2009/Oct/15/soundarya-stirred-not-shaken-95141.html |access-date=2026-02-01 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Soundarya's directorial debut was supposed to be ''Sultan: The Warrior'', a 3D animated film featuring the voice of her father Rajinikanth. Despite heavy pre-production, including a teaser being released,<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2007 |title=Sultan of swings |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/sultan-of-swings/articleshow/15716205.html |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=Mumbai Mirror |language=en}}</ref> the film was dropped.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 April 2012 |title=Soundarya and Aishwarya – the sisters sort it out |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Soundarya-and-Aishwarya-the-sisters-sort-it-out/articleshow/12501606.cms |url-status=dead |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 |access-date=13 May 2012 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> She instead directed the motion capture film ''Kochadaiiyaan'', also starring Rajinikanth.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-28 |title=Blessed to have directed dad once: Soundarya Rajinikanth |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/Aug/28/blessed-to-have-directed-dad-once-soundarya-rajinikanth-1649239.html |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Through ''Kochadaiiyaan'', Soundarya earned the distinction of becoming the first woman to direct her father in a feature film.<ref>{{cite news |date=16 September 2013 |title=Soundarya Rajnikanth is the first daughter to direct her father |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Soundarya-Rajnikanth-is-the-first-daughter-to-direct-her-father/articleshow/22599652.cms |url-status=live |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 |archive-date=10 June 2019 |access-date=18 October 2016 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> At the NDTV Indian of the Year awards 2014, she was honoured for "Technical Innovation In Film".<ref>{{cite web |title=NDTV Indian Of The Year: Soundarya Rajinikanth honoured for Technical Innovation In Film - NDTV Movies |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/ndtv-indian-of-the-year-soundarya-rajinikanth-honoured-for-technical-innovation-in-film-515883 |url-status=dead |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 |archive-date=18 October 2015 |access-date=28 September 2016 |publisher=NDTV}}</ref>
In 2016, Soundarya worked on the pre-production of a film titled ''Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam'' with Dhanush, Kajal Aggarwal and Manjima Mohan, but the film was later dropped.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 November 2016 |title=Kajal Aggarwal & Manjima Mohan in Talks to Join Soundarya Rajinikanth's Next |url=https://silverscreen.in/news/kajal-aggarwal-manjima-mohan-talks-join-soundarya-rajinikanths-next/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826230228/https://silverscreen.in/news/kajal-aggarwal-manjima-mohan-talks-join-soundarya-rajinikanths-next/ |archive-date=26 August 2019 |access-date=26 August 2019}}</ref> It was revived in 2023 without Soundarya's involvement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 December 2023 |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 |url-status=live |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 |archive-date=16 June 2024 |access-date=16 June 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Her next directorial venture was ''Velaiilla Pattadhari 2''.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 September 2016 |title='Kabali' producer to bankroll Soundarya Rajinikanth's next directorial project |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2016/sep/27/kabali-producer-to-bankroll-soundarya-rajinikanths-next-directorial-1523481.html |url-status=live |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 |archive-date=24 March 2018 |access-date=18 October 2016 |work=The New Indian Express |agency=Indo-Asian News Service}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=9 November 2016 |title=Soundarya Rajinikanth to direct Dhanush in VIP 2 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/soundarya-rajinikanth-to-direct-dhanush-in-vip-2/article9323750.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111211928/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/soundarya-rajinikanth-to-direct-dhanush-in-vip-2/article9323750.ece |archive-date=11 November 2016 |access-date=15 November 2016 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>
In 2018 Soundarya started a production company called May6 Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About May Six – May 6 Entertainment |url=https://www.may6entertainment.com/about-may-six/ |access-date=2026-02-01 |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, she founded Hoote, a social media platform that is based on voice messages.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 October 2021 |title=Rajinikanth Launches Voice-Based Social Site: "From India, For The World" |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajinikanth-to-launch-daughter-soundaryas-social-voice-app-hoote-2587043 |access-date=7 November 2025 |website=NDTV}}</ref> In 2025, Soundarya founded a new production company Zion Films.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zion Films Private Limited - Company Profile |url=https://www.thecompanycheck.com/company/zion-films-private-limited/U90009TN2025PTC179442 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260331074446/https://www.thecompanycheck.com/company/zion-films-private-limited/U90009TN2025PTC179442 |archive-date=March 31, 2026 |access-date=March 31, 2026 |website=The Company Check}}</ref>
==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.<ref>{{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 | work=AllVoices | 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 }}</ref> The couple has a son born on 6 May 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/soundarya-rajinikanth-baby-boy-ashwin-ramkumar-aishwarya-dhanush-251793-2015-05-07 | title=Its a boy for Soundarya Rajinikanth | work=India Today | date=7 May 2015 | 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 }}</ref> In September 2016, Soundarya revealed that she and her husband had filed for divorce by mutual consent due to irreconcilable differences.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> In July 2017, the couple officially divorced.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
Soundarya married Vishagan Vanangamudi, an actor and businessman, on 11 February 2019 at Leela Palace in Chennai.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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|date=11 February 2019 |language=ml|access-date=12 February 2019|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}}</ref> Their son was born in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |date=12 September 2022 |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 |url-status=live |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 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |access-date=20 August 2023 |work=The Times of India |publisher=}}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable" ! Year !! Film !Role!! Notes |- | 1999 ||''Padayappa'' | rowspan="9" |Graphic designer|| Title sketch only |- | 2002 || ''Baba'' || rowspan="2" | Title sequence only |- | rowspan="5"| 2005 || ''Chandramukhi'' |- | ''Anbe Aaruyire'' || |- | ''Sivakasi''|| |- | ''Majaa'' || |- | ''Sandakozhi'' || |- | rowspan="2"| 2007 || ''Chennai 600028'' || |- | ''Sivaji'' || Title sequence only |- | 2010 || ''Goa'' |Producer|| |- | rowspan="1"|2014 || ''Kochadaiiyaan'' |Director, Graphic designer | |- |2017 || ''Velaiilla Pattadhari 2'' |Director|| |- |2026 |''With Love'' |Producer | |}
=== As an actress === {| class="wikitable" ! Year !! Film !Role!! Notes |- | rowspan="1"|2008 || ''Kuselan'' |Herself|| rowspan="1" |Cameo appearance in the song "Cinema Cinema" |- | rowspan="1"|2014 || ''Kochadaiiyaan'' |Dancer | Uncredited appearance in the song "Engae Pogutho Vaanam" |- |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *{{IMDb name|1983400}}
{{India Animation Industry}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rajinikanth, Soundarya}} Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Indian women film producers Category:Film directors from Chennai Category:Indian women film directors Category:Marathi people Category:Tamil film producers Category:Indian women designers Category:21st-century Indian designers Category:Pseudonymous artists 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 Category:21st-century Indian businesspeople Category:Indian women artists Category:Rajinikanth