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Tamil cinema icon Rajinikanth, idolised by millions, turned 62 today on a day of special significance for his fans, who have lined up a slew of programmes for the 'special' date of 12-12-12.
Actor-director Raghavendra Lawrence and music director Vijay Antony have come out with a special musical video dedicated to Rajinikanth, even as TV channels will telecast a series of programmes on him, including airing some of his biggest hits.
Radio FM channels were not far behind in celebrating his birthday.
Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, he transformed his simple life from a bus conductor in Bangalore to a much followed superstar a decade later, with a larger than life style and mannerisms in his films.
Discovered by celebrated director K Balachander, a recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and cast along another top star of Indian cinema Kamal Haasan in his Apoorva Raagangal in the mid 70s, Rajinikanth shaped his initial career with negative roles, including in Moondru Mudichu, also starring Haasan.
The duo, often referred to as pivotal points in Tamil cinema after the MGR-Sivaji era, shared space in a number of films before each carved a place for themselves in the industry.
With his gimmicks and dialogue delivery instantly touching a chord with the younger audience, Rajinikanth delivered some of the biggest blockbusters, including Thalapathi directed by Mani Ratnam, Annamalai, Basha, Padayappa and the more recent Enthiran, a sci-fi thriller.
He had his tryst with Hindi cinema also, featuring in movies including the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Hum, besides doing a cameo in Shah Rukh Khan's Ra.One.
A very religious man, he was cast as Saint Raghavendra in the film named after the guru but Baba, a film with religious undertones.
The actor faced a health scare due to a reported kidney ailment last year, but was soon back in action.
He is presently shooting for his daughter Soundarya's much-hyped Kochadaiyaan.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Rajinikanth described the date 12-12-12 as a "significant" one.
He described as fantastic, his Tamil blockbuster Sivaji, re-released in the 3D format and said all were excited about it.
Rajinikanth thanked all his fans for their prayers for his well being, saying "my health is fine" and added he would be happy if his fans conducted prayers on the occasion of their parents' birthday.
Watch: Thank you for birthday wishes, says Rajinikanth
Actor-director Raghavendra Lawrence and music director Vijay Antony have come out with a special musical video dedicated to Rajinikanth, even as TV channels will telecast a series of programmes on him, including airing some of his biggest hits.
Radio FM channels were not far behind in celebrating his birthday.
Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, he transformed his simple lifefrom a bus conductor in Bangalore to a much followed superstara decade later, with a larger than life style and mannerismsin his films.
Discovered by celebrated director K Balachander, arecipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and cast along anothertop star of Indian cinema Kamal Haasan in his ApoorvaRaagangal in the mid 70s, Rajinikanth shaped his initialcareer with negative roles, including in Moondru Mudichu,also starring Haasan.
The duo, often referred to as pivotal points in Tamilcinema after the MGR-Sivaji era, shared space in a number offilms before each carved a place for themselves in theindustry.
With his gimmicks and dialogue delivery instantlytouching a chord with the younger audience, Rajinikanthdelivered some of the biggest blockbusters, includingThalapathi directed by Mani Ratnam, Annamalai, Basha,Padayappa and the more recent Enthiran, a sci-fi thriller.
He had his tryst with Hindi cinema also, featuring inmovies including the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Hum, besidesdoing a cameo in Shah Rukh Khan's Ra.One.
A very religious man, he was cast as Saint Raghavendra inthe film named after the guru but Baba, a film withreligious undertones.
The actor faced a health scare due to a reported kidneyailment last year, but was soon back in action.
He is presently shooting for his daughter Soundarya'smuch-hyped Kochadaiyaan.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Rajinikanth describedthe date 12-12-12 as a "significant" one.
He described as fantastic, his Tamil blockbusterSivaji, re-released in the 3D format and said all wereexcited about it.
Rajinikanth thanked all his fans for their prayers for hiswell being, saying "my health is fine" and added he would behappy if his fans conducted prayers on the occasion of theirparents' birthday.
Watch: Thank you for birthday wishes, says Rajinikanth
