New Delhi: Rajnikanth is a name that needs no introduction. The pan-Indian star, whose influence and admirers are global, has turned 72 today. As fans are flooding his social media with birthday wishes, big names from the entertainment industry as well as politicians also extended their heartfelt birthday messages.
Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, took to Twitter to wish the Padma Vibhshan and Dada Saheb Phalke awardee:
Birthday greetings to the great Indian actor honored with ‘Dadasaheb Phalke’ and ‘Padma Vibhushan’ awards Shri @rajinikanth ji. May you be blessed with good health and long life.
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) December 12, 2022
Urmila Matondkar wished Thalaiva by calling him the epitome of Humility:
Happy Birthday #Thalaiva ??
Ultimate epitome of Humility, Graciousness, Greatness, Affection!!@rajinikanth ????#Thalaivar #HBDRajinikanth #Rajinikanth ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5O9ulPA3hi— Urmila Matondkar (@UrmilaMatondkar) December 12, 2022
Tamil Actress and Politician Khushbu Sunder shared her picture with the megastar:
Happy birthday my #Annamalai ❤️❤️❤️❤️#HappyBirthdayRajinikanth
@rajinikanth pic.twitter.com/x7p6yCSN1a
— KhushbuSundar (@khushsundar) December 12, 2022
The actor has been ruling Indian cinema for the last 5 decades. His larger-than-life on-screen presence combined with his thrilling mannerism has made him the ‘Thalaiva’ of the industry.
The self-made star’s life has been no less than a movie. Before rising to his stardom, Rajnikanth used to work as a bus conductor. He also worked as a carpenter and a coolie to meet his ends. While today, his name is synonymous with ‘hero,’ not a lot of people know that he started his career as a villain on the silver screen.
Rajnikanth, an inspiration for many, looks up to Bollywood Big B as his inspiration. In fact, he has acted in 11 Tamil remakes of Bachchan’s films. In his reign of 50 years, the Tollywood star has worked in over 170 movies.
His upcoming movie Jailer is set to hit the cinemas in the year 2023. An action-thriller starring, Ramya Krishnan, Shiva Rajkumar, Vasanth Ravi, Yogi Babu, and Vinayakan in central roles.