PM Modi, Kamal Haasan, Dhanush lead Rajinikanth's 75th birthday wishes
What's the story
Rajinikanth, the superstar of Tamil cinema, is celebrating his 75th birthday on Friday. The occasion was marked by a deluge of heartfelt tributes from political leaders and film stars alike. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to extend his greetings, saying Rajinikanth's performances have "captivated generations" and earned "extensive admiration." He added that the actor's body of work has consistently set benchmarks in diverse roles and genres.
Star tributes
Dhanush, Khushbu Sundar also honored Rajinikanth
Actor Kamal Haasan shared a photo with Rajinikanth and wrote, "75 years of a remarkable life. 50 years of legendary cinema. Happy birthday, my friend (sic)." Actor and the megastar's former son-in-law Dhanush kept it simple and warm with his message: "Happy birthday, Thalaiva (sic)." Actor Khushbu Sundar posted throwback photos and called him an "institution & inspiration" of dedication, hard work, down-to-earth attitude, simplicity, and positivity.
Film re-release
Rajinikanth's 75th birthday celebrated with remastered 'Padayappa'
Adding to the celebratory mood, Rajinikanth's 1999 blockbuster Padayappa was re-released in theaters in a remastered 4K version. The film's return to screens coincided with the actor's milestone birthday and his completion of 50 years in cinema. Fans have embraced the re-release like a festival, reliving the film's iconic moments and unforgettable dialogues that continue to hold a special place in Tamil cinema.
Career highlights
Rajinikanth's remarkable 50-year journey in cinema
Rajinikanth, born Shivaji Rao Gaikwad, has had an illustrious career spanning five decades. He has appeared in at least 171 films during this period. The actor was last seen in Lokesh Kanagaraj's Coolie, which marked his 171st film as a lead actor. He is currently shooting for Nelson Dilipkumar's Jailer 2, a sequel to the 2023 action-thriller of the same name.