Happy Birthday Rajinikanth: The Thalaiva of Indian Cinema

Rajinikanth, renowned for his unmatched charisma and distinctive style, celebrates his 73rd birthday today. His journey from being a bus conductor in Karnataka to becoming a superstar in the Tamil film industry is nothing short of extraordinary.

Born Shivaji Rao Gaikwad in 1950 in Maharashtra, Rajinikanth entered the world of acting in 1975 with "Apoorva Ragangal" directed by Balachander. Starting as a villain in the late 70s, he transitioned into a hero in the 80s, with "Billa" catapulting him to stardom. Rajinikanth's dominance in the industry as a mass hero set him apart, overshadowing competition from other notable actors.

Throughout the 80s, he delivered numerous blockbusters in various languages, gaining success even in Hindi cinema. In the 90s, Rajinikanth continued to rule Tamil cinema with iconic films like "Mappillai," "Basha," "Muthu," and "Padayappa," breaking Indian cinema records.

Despite a brief decline in popularity in the early 2000s, Rajinikanth made a triumphant comeback with "Chandramukhi" in 2005, followed by hits like "Sivaji" and "Robot." "Kabali" and "2.0" showcased his enduring star power, with the latter collecting over 500 crores despite being a commercial flop.

In recent years, Rajinikanth faced setbacks with films like "Kaala," "Petta," and "Darbar," compounded by health concerns that prompted him to reconsider a political debut. Fans express their foremost desire for his well-being, emphasizing that his health is paramount. But his last film, "Jailer," ended up as a big blockbuster at the box office.

Acknowledging his contributions to cinema, Rajinikanth received the Dada Saheb Phalke award, the highest film honor from the central government, in addition to Padma Bhushan in 2000 and Padma Vibhushan in 2016.

As he marks another birthday, fans celebrate the enduring legacy of Rajinikanth, hoping for many more birthdays and milestones for the beloved Thalaiva.