Rajinikanth Celebrates 75th Birthday and 50 Years in Cinema

Superstar Rajinikanth

, one of Indian cinema’s most iconic and influential actors, recently marked his 75th birthday on December 12, 2025 , a milestone celebrated not only as a personal anniversary but also as a celebration of 50 years in film .

Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad on December 12, 1950 , in Bangalore (now Bengaluru), India , he comes from a modest Marathi family and is widely recognized for his extraordinary rise from humble beginnings to global stardom.

Rajinikanth’s cinematic journey began in 1975 when he was cast by director K. Balachander in the Tamil film Apoorva Raagangal. Although his role was brief, the film marked the beginning of a career that would span more than five decades and include over 170 films across Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and other languages.

Over the years, Rajinikanth became famous for his unique style, charisma, and punchy dialogue delivery , qualities that helped turn movies like Baashha, Padayappa, Sivaji, Enthiran, and Jailer into blockbusters known across India and among the Tamil diaspora worldwide.

To honor his 50 years in cinema , his classic film Padayappa has been re-released in theatres, drawing excitement from fans and fellow artists alike.

Tributes poured in on social media and in the press from actors, filmmakers, and other celebrities. Veteran actor Kamal Haasan commemorated Rajinikanth’s journey as both a “remarkable life” and “legendary cinema” milestone.

Celebrations on the ground included fan gatherings, special screenings, and heartfelt messages from fellow stars such as Dhanush , who shared admiration for Rajinikanth’s legacy on digital platforms.

Even as he celebrates these milestones, Rajinikanth continues to work actively in films. After the success of Jailer (2023), he appeared in Coolie (2025), further cementing his enduring appeal to audiences. He is presently shooting for the highly anticipated sequel Jailer 2 .

What began as the journey of a young man working as a bus conductor in Bengaluru, striving to enter cinema, has become one of the most influential careers in Indian film. His perseverance, style, and connection with audiences have made him not just a movie star but a cultural phenomenon.