Chennai: Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday turned 71, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister M K Stalin, leaders and the actor’s fans and celebrities wished him good health and a long life.
On his birthday, the actor’s fans association announced support to coach students from poor and marginalised sections of society to face competitive exams.
Modi tweeted, “A very happy birthday to @rajinikanth Ji. May he keep inspiring people with his creativity and phenomenal acting. May Almighty bless him with a long and healthy life.” Chief Minister Stalin spoke to the actor over phone and wished him a long and healthy life. In a message, Stalin said the actor, “steps into 72 years of age” and expressed his wish that Rajinikanth should enthrall the Tamil people for many more years with his unparalleled acting skills.
AIADMK top leaders and former Chief Ministers, O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami, Makkal Needhi Maiam chief and actor Kamal Haasan, confidante of late J Jayalalitaa, V K Sasikala wished the actor on his birthday. Film celebrities including noted music composer D Imman, the actor’s fans were among many others who took to social media to greet the actor. Rajinikanth on Sunday turned 71. He was born on 12 December 1950. For many years now, the actor has been maintaining a practice of remaining away from home on his birthday, apparently to avoid overcrowding. Sources close to the actor told PTI that the actor is “not available at his home” as usual.
Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar tweeted,”Happy birthday Thalaiva @rajinikanth Sir. Always praying for your good health and happiness in life.” Union Minister of State for Ports and Shipping, Shripad Y Naik tweeted, “Warm Birthday wishes to Superstar honored with ‘Dadasaheb Phalke’ and ‘Padma Vibhushan’ @rajinikanth ji. May you be blessed with good health and long life.” Rajinikanth’s son in law and actor Dhanush in a tweet hailed him as ‘Thalaiva,’ the one and only superstar and said ‘love you so much.’ V M Sudhakar, administrator of Akila India Rajinikanth Rasigar Narpani Mandram, tweeted saying Rajinikanth Foundation would train 100 students from the poorest and marginalised strata of society for the exams to be conducted by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission.
Sudhakar was also formerly the top executive of the now defunct Rajini Makkal Mandram, set up for the actor’s political entry. In July 2021, the actor had disbanded the Mandram and made it clear that he would not enter politics. Following that move, the fans association was revived. “Annaatthe”, Rajinikanth’s action flick released on Deepavali, November 4. The actor, whose original name is Shivaji Rao Gaikwad made a foray into filmdom in 1975 and Tamil flick “Apoorva Ragangal” by ace, late film maker K Balachander was his debut movie. So far, the actor has essayed a variety of roles in over 160 movies, in a career spanning over four decades. On the actor’s birthday, the National Film Archive of India in a tweet recalled that ‘Mullum Malarum’ (1978) by director Mahendran was a breakthrough film for Rajinikanth that gave new dimensions to his on-screen persona. The NFAI, extending its wishes to him, also posted a frame from that film featuring him with ‘Fatafat’ Jayalakshmi. On October 25, Rajinikanth was conferred the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award and a few days later he was admitted to a hospital here, where he had underwent a procedure to restore blood supply to brain following an episode of giddiness.