Rajinikanth turns 74: CM Stalin wishes, statue unveiled in Madurai

Rajinikanth with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, A statue of Rajinikanth at the Arulmigu Sri Rajini Temple in Madurai. Photo Credit: X/@mkstallin, ANI

Superstar Rajinikanth, fondly known as “Thalaivaa”, celebrated his 74th birthday on December 12, with fans and admirers across the world showering him with love and tributes.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wished the legendary actor on social media, calling him a “wonderful friend” and praising his unmatched influence in cinema.

Paying a grand tribute to the icon, on the eve of his birthday, a 3-foot-tall, 300 kg statue of Rajinikanth was unveiled at the Arulmigu Sri Rajini Temple in Thirumangalam, Madurai. This statue features his iconic look from the 1989 film MappillaiA symbol of his immense contribution to Indian cinema.

Karthik, the retired army officer who founded the temple in praise of Rajinikanth, called the unveiling a celebration of the megastar’s legacy. Special rituals and prayers were performed at the temple to mark the occasion.

Rajinikanth’s birthday comes after the success of his recent film VettaiyaanDirected by TJ Gnanvel. The October release featured a stellar cast, including Amitabh Bachchan’s Tamil cinema debut and a powerful soundtrack from Anirudh Ravichander.

(With inputs from ANI)