There are not many people alive or dead in this world to be worth called Thalaivar and our Shivaji Rao Gaikwad popularly known as Rajinikanth is a proud owner of this title given by his beloved fans (or followers). 61 years back, this same day Jijabai with a small help from Ramoji Rao Gaikwad gave birth to a baby who is now the Entertainer of the Decade! It all started in the year 1975 when the national award winning director K.Balachander decided to cast him in the film Apoorva Raagangal (which itself is a national award winning film) and is still continuing with his latest film Kochadaiyan which will be directed by his own daughter Soundarya Ashwin.

When people are asked as why they love Rajinikanth so much, of the many answers they tell, the one thing that is common is his simplicity and humbleness. This is just one of the many examples to show is humbleness.

His breakthrough film is considered to be Badsha (1995). Before Badsha, Rajinikanth was just another popular actor who has his own fan following. But, after Badsha he attained a god-status. Every single person in Tamil Nadu became his follower. Even M.G.R (considering him just as an actor, not a politician) didn’t have this much fans during his rule of the Tamil film industry. Of his 155 films, the films that did not make a profit in the box office are just a few.

One of the best feelings that I have felt in my life is when I shout “thalaivaa!!” during his mere presence in the big screen. One can’t express it in words. “Thalaivar padam na first day first show!”- One rule that is never broken. The whole experience, from standing in the queue before the film to coming out of the theater shouting “thalaivaa!!“, is a memorable experience which cannot be experienced in any other occasion.

Every house will have at least one person who is a fan of Rajinikanth. From 5 year old children to 80 year old grandpas and grandmas, Rajinikanth has his fans in all ages. This itself is a proof of his domination of Indian cinema for generations. As one of his famous songs says, “Superstar yaaru nu ketta chinna kuzhanthaiyum sollum”, it is very hard to find a person who is not aware of Rajinikanth.

Recently he had some health issues due to which he was sent to Singapore for treatment. The true love towards thalaivar from all his fans was seen during this period. Every single house was praying for his health. No other person in this world gets this kind of love and care from his fans.

“Will he ever enter politics?” has always been a million dollar question. And you can’t find a better answer for that question than his most popular “aandavan kaila than irukku”. It is a normal thought for a human being to go into politics after he has all this fame and control over the people. It is control over his head that takes a human being to the next level. Superstar has attained that level long back.

Though there are many jokes and criticisms on Rajinikanth, when we are faced with the question “nee yaaru fan?”, the first name comes out will be Rajinikanth. We have loved you, loving you and will love you as long as we are alive. On this day, 12th December, we are proud to wish a very very very very very happy birthday and a many more years of the same fame and power.
-dedicated to thalaivar (can't find a better word).