Rajinikanth Education: 98% in School, Then Struggled with English

Before becoming one of Indian cinema’s biggest stars, Rajinikanth was a bright student who faced academic difficulties after switching the medium of instruction. The actor scored 98% in middle school, but acing academics became harder when he shifted from a Kannada-medium to an English-medium educational institution in Bengaluru.

Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, Rajinikanth in a video message to his former school, Acharya Pathasala (APS) Public School and College,  shared these memories in January 2025. He recalled his academic struggles, the support he received from his teachers and how their encouragement helped him explore his interest in drama.

Rajinikanth Scored 98% in Middle School

Rajinikanth studied at Gavipuram Government Kannada Model Primary School before joining Acharya Pathasala (APS) for higher education. In his video message, Rajinikanth said that he used to score 98% in middle school. His elder brother then enrolled him at APS, an English-medium institution. However, the change in the medium of instruction proved difficult.

However, he struggled with the new medium of study. He found it hard to grasp Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics when they began to teach these subjects in English. And the transition was not easy for the young Rajinikanth, who went from being a front-bencher at a Kannada-medium school to a backbencher at an English-medium institution.

How Switching to English Affected His Studies

Rajinikanth recalled that the language transition affected both his academic performance and confidence. He also spoke about feeling depressed during this period. 

His experience shows that a shift to a new medium of instruction can adversely affect a student’s performance, no matter how brilliant they are. Even a brilliant student like Rajinikanth could not adapt to a new language within a short time.

The Teachers Who Helped Rajinikanth

The actor, however, was lucky to have supportive teachers at APS who guided him through the challenges of learning in a new language. The actor said in his message that he was grateful to his Chemistry teacher, who gave him special tuition at her house.

According to reports based on his message, he passed Classes 8 and 9 from APS. But the actor had difficulties once again with the public examination for his Class 10 board. He failed Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics but finally passed with the special help of his teachers.

It was the same set of teachers who saw a different talent in the young Rajinikanth. When the actor enacted scenes from movies during classes, they encouraged him to join the college’s drama club.

Rajinikanth rose to prominence after winning the Best Actor prize for his role as Chandala in an inter-school drama competition. He went on to make a name for himself asOne of Indian cinema’s most recognisable stars 

From Bus Conductor to Superstar

After finishing school, Rajinikanth joined APS College and then dropped out after a year. He worked as a bus conductor with the Bangalore Transport Service before his friend Raj Bahadur, also a conductor, persuaded him to pursue acting.

Encouraged by his friend and fellow conductor Raj Bahadur, Rajinikanth enrolled at the Madras Film Institute for acting training. Director K. Balachander later cast him in Apoorva Raagangal, marking his Tamil film debut in 1975. Over the following decades, Rajinikanth built a career spanning multiple Indian film industries and became one of the country’s most recognisable screen stars. The actor has won many honours, including the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016. He was also named the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2019, which was given to him in 2021.

What Rajinikanth’s School Experience Teaches Us

Rajinikanth’s account illustrates how a change in the learning environment can affect even a high-performing student’s academic confidence and results. 

His teachers not only helped him overcome these problems but also encouraged him to develop a hobby that would set him on a new career path. The actor who struggled to understand the language of instruction at first later became one of the best actors in India. And all it took was the support of teachers who helped a confused boy navigate through a challenging phase of his life and recognise a hidden talent.