In 1980, while Rajinikanth was working on Thillu Mullu, the Tamil remake of the Hindi classic Golmaal, he was approached by a young college student named Latha Rangachari. Latha, who was studying English Literature at Ethiraj College in Chennai, had requested an interview with the actor for her college magazine. The meeting was set, and neither of them could have predicted how significant it would become.
The moment Rajinikanth met Latha, he felt an instant connection. As the interview progressed, it was clear that something more meaningful was taking shape. Deeply moved by her presence and personality, Rajinikanth found himself experiencing feelings he had never known before. Without much hesitation, he expressed his wish to marry her. For Latha, the proposal came as a surprise. Calmly, she responded that she would need to speak with her parents before making any decisions.
The shared connection between them only grew from that day onward. Interestingly, both Rajinikanth and Latha had roots in Bangalore, which served as a common ground and helped ease their early conversations. Before entering the film industry, Rajinikanth had worked as a bus conductor in the city, while Latha’s family also had a home there. This familiarity allowed them to form a deeper understanding of each other.
Latha later shared in an interview with Sun TV in 2012 that Rajinikanth didn’t exactly propose to her instead, he simply informed her that he was going to marry her, and then left. Despite the unconventional approach, the sincerity behind his words struck a chord with Latha.
However, Rajinikanth was initially hesitant to approach her parents, unsure of how they would react. Fortunately, Latha’s sister was married to someone within the Tamil film industry, and with the help of some senior colleagues, Rajinikanth eventually arranged a meeting with her family. Their concerns were soon put to rest, and Latha’s parents gave their blessings.
On February 26, 1981, Rajinikanth and Latha were married in a traditional South Indian ceremony at the Lord Balaji Temple in Tirupati. Latha wore a beautiful red ensemble, while Rajinikanth looked every bit the groom in a white silk dhoti and kurta. Their wedding marked the beginning of a lasting journey together.
In the years that followed, the couple built a life filled with love, trust, and shared values. They welcomed their first daughter, Aishwaryaa, in 1982, followed by their second daughter, Soundarya, in 1984. While Rajinikanth continued to rise as a superstar in Indian cinema, Latha pursued her own path, including a career in music and social work. In 1991, she founded a charitable school in Chennai to provide education to underprivileged children.
Their story is a quiet yet powerful reminder that sometimes, love finds you in the most unexpected moments. What started as a college interview turned into a lifelong partnership, one built on mutual respect, shared values, and a deep emotional connection.
Source / Image Credit : bollywoodshaadis