It's Thalaivar Day, and the celebrations are as grand as the legacy they honour. Tamil cinema's biggest icon, Rajinikanth, marked his 75th birthday on December 12, sparking a wave of heartfelt wishes from political leaders, film legends and fans across the world.
From PM Narendra Modi and Kamal Haasan to Dhanush, SJ Suryah and Kushboo Sundar, tributes poured in throughout the day for the superstar who has shaped Indian cinema for five decades.Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, "Greetings to Thiru Rajinikanth Ji on the special occasion of his 75th birthday. His performances have captivated generations and have earned extensive admiration. His body of work spans diverse roles and genres, consistently setting benchmarks. This year has been notable because he completed 50 years in the world of films. Praying for his long and healthy life (sic)."Kushboo Sundar, posting throwback photos, added, "Happiest birthday to Padma Vibhushan, the one & only Superstar of Indian cinema, Thiru @rajinikanth avl. You have been an institution & inspiration of dedication, hard work, perseverance, humility, down-to-earth attitude, simplicity, and forever positivity, Sir (sic)."Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, now an MLA, wrote on X, "Heartfelt birthday wishes to Superstar Thiru Rajinikanth, who has reigned as an unshakeable icon of Tamil cinema for 50 years (sic)."As Rajinikanth turns 75, his unmatched screen presence, effortless style and trademark cinematic swagger continue to inspire generations and define mass cinema even today.
Adding to the celebratory mood, Rajinikanth's 1999 blockbuster Padayappa returned to theatres in a newly remastered 4K version, coinciding with his 75th birthday and his 50 years in cinema. Fans have embraced the re-release like a festival, reliving the film's iconic moments, unforgettable dialogues and characters that continue to hold a special place in Tamil cinema.### Rajinikanth Turns 75: A Milestone Celebrated with Heartfelt Tributes
Superstar Rajinikanth, born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, marked his 75th birthday on December 12, 2025, coinciding with an incredible 50 years in Indian cinema. The Tamil icon, affectionately known as "Thalaiva" to millions, received an outpouring of love from fans, political leaders, and fellow stars. Crowds gathered outside his Chennai residence, special pujas were held at fan-built "Rajini Temples," and his 1999 blockbuster *Padayappa* was re-released in 4K to thunderous box-office success. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to long-time collaborator Kamal Haasan and former son-in-law Dhanush, here's a roundup of the leading birthday wishes that lit up social media and headlines.
#### Key Wishes from Prominent Figures
| Wisher | Message Highlights | Platform/Context |
|--------|--------------------|------------------|
| **PM Narendra Modi** | "Greetings to Thiru Rajinikanth Ji on the special occasion of his 75th birthday. His performances have captivated generations and have earned extensive admiration. His body of work spans diverse roles and genres, consistently setting benchmarks. This year has been notable because he completed 50 years in the world of films. Praying for his long and healthy life." (Also shared in Tamil.) | X (formerly Twitter), via @narendramodi |
| **Kamal Haasan** | "75 years of a remarkable life. 50 years of legendary cinema. Happy birthday, my friend." (Accompanied by a photo of the two together.) | X, via @ikamalhaasan |
| **Dhanush** | "Happy birthday thalaiva 🙏🙏🤩🤩😎😎❤️❤️ @rajinikanth" (A simple, affectionate nod to his former father-in-law.) | X, via @dhanushkraja |
| **Mohanlal** | "As you celebrate 50 remarkable years in cinema, thank you for inspiring generations with your values, strength, and extraordinary spirit. May God bless you always with peace, good health, and boundless joy. @rajinikanth" | X, via @Mohanlal |
| **Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin** | "Your timeless charm, magnetic style, and unique persona have captivated hearts for decades. May he continue to deliver many more victorious creations upon me, and may his victory flag keep flying with the love and support of the people! #HBDSuperStarRajinikanth" | X |
| **Raghava Lawrence** | "Happy Birthday Thalaiva @rajinikanth! I pray Ragavendra swamy for your good health. May you live a long life. Guruve Saranam ♥️🙏🏼" (With a photo.) | X, via @offl_Lawrence |
| **Simran** | "From redefining mass cinema to inspiring generations ❤️ Thank you, @rajinikanth sir, for everything. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday! 🙏 #HappyBirthdayRajinikanth" | X, via @SimranbaggaOffc |
Other stars like SJ Suryah, Yogi Babu, Jackie Shroff, and Anirudh Ravichander also joined in, with Suryah calling him a "wonderful" Thalaivar and Anirudh sharing a montage of his career highlights. Fans worldwide trended #Thalaivar75 and #HBDSuperStarRajinikanth, sharing iconic dialogues, style moments, and prayers for his health.
Rajinikanth's enduring legacy—from gritty roles in *Mullum Malarum* (1978) to recent hits like *Coolie* (2025) and upcoming projects including *Jailer 2* and a Kamal Haasan production—continues to redefine Indian cinema. As he enters this new chapter, the superstar's influence shows no signs of fading. Happy Birthday, Thalaiva!
