Happy Birthday, Thalaivar!

Superstar Rajinikanth celebrates his 62nd birthday today, and we take a look at his 37-year career that continues to flourish to this day.

When the former bus conductor made his film debut in ‘Apoorva Ragangal’ in 1975, nobody could have predicted that he would rocket to such heights. Yet 37 years later, he remains to be an Indian film star who is revered and adored unlike any other…plus, after ‘Sivaji’ in 2007, he became the 2nd highest paid actor in Asia after Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan!

The actor has won countless awards over the course of his career, and he has taken Tamil cinema to countries as far and wide as Japan, where he is hugely popular. What makes him even more loved is his down-to-earth personality off-screen and his deeply spiritual side.

Despite his age, he is still hugely successful as the hero of his films, being paired alongside actresses almost half his age. Yet there’s something about his larger-than-life superstar persona and his unique delivery of ‘punch dialogues’ that keeps the masses coming back for more.

His last film, ‘Enthiran’, opposite Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was a worldwide success, collecting over US$750,000 within the first two weeks in the UK alone.

"Thalaivar" – as he is also known – has been given God-like status by some; die-hard fans throw garland upon garland onto giant cardboard cutouts of Rajinikanth, and even shower his posters and cutouts with flowers and milk – a practice done for the idols of Hindu deities in temples!

The much-loved actor is currently working on his upcoming film "Kochadaiyaan", which also stars Bollywood beauty Deepika Padukone, and has been directed by Rajinikanth’s daughter Soundarya. We’re sure this film too is going to draw movie buffs to cinemas in their thousands, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store!

There’s no doubt that Superstar Rajinikanth really is a legend of Indian cinema, who has one of the most loyal fan bases of any film star, ever!

Happy Birthday, Thalaivar!

What’s your favourite Rajinikanth film, and why?