Rajinikanth is 67 | Journey of a ticket collector to superstardom

Mumbai: Thaliva of Indian cinema aka Rajnikanth turned a year older today, i.e December 12. He is an actor, who was not born with the silver spoon but in today's date he is regarded as the biggest superstar Indian Film industry has ever produced.

From flipping his goggles to play with a coin and popping a cigarette in his mouth, everything is just awesome. All we can say is that he is a man of his own style and attitude.

On his 67th birthday , we here brings you some facts about the Superstar.

• Born as Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, Rajinikanth struggled as a bus conductor in his initial days.
• In 1973, he joined the Madras Film Institute to pursue diploma in acting.
• In 1975, he made is debut in Tamil Drama Apoorva Raagangal.
• In 2007, his movie ‘Sivaji– the boss’ collected a huge cash at box office and made him the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan.
• He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016 by the Government of India for his contributions to the arts.
• Fans of Rajinikanth, lovingly called Thalaiva, gathered outside his house in Chennai for his special day.

To mark the occasion, Rajinikanth's son-in-law, actor-producer Dhanush, also launched the second look of the megastar from the upcoming film. The actor is seen wearing sunglasses and a bearded look on the poster.

"Here you go! The king of style... Our Superstar's "Kaalaa" second look. The swag of superstar. Happy birthday Thalaiva."

On superstar Rajinikanth's 67th birthday on Tuesday, celebrities like megastar Amitabh Bachchan, filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Akshay Kumar wished him a long and a healthy life.

Here's what other celebrities tweeted:

Amitabh Bachchan: To my dear friend, colleague and a most humble and large hearted Colossus! Birthday greetings.

Karan Johar: Happy birthday to the mega superstar Rajinikanth. The aura, the magic, the connect and the humility is legendary. Happy birthday Sir!

Akshay Kumar: Have always been in awe of your on-screen persona but working with you made me a bigger fan of you off-screen. They don't call you superstar just like that. Keep shining the brightest Rajinikanth sir.

Sajid Khan: To the man who defies age... A true inspiration for generations... The words larger than life were coined for him.

Rakeysh Mehra: Rajnikanth - Meri umar bhi aapko lag jaaye - many happy returns of the day Rajinikanth.

Tamannaah Bhatia: Happy birthday, Rajini sir. Wish you the best of everything in the year ahead.

Huma Qureshi: Happy Thalaiva Day! So blessed to be working with the one and only Rajinikanth.

R. Madhavan: Rajinikanth wish you a very very happy birthday Sir and the most rewarding and Happy year ahead yet. For all our Sake.

Riteish Deshmukh: Happy Birthday Thalaiva. The one and only Rajinikanth Sir. Wishing him long life and best of health.

Tamannaah Bhatia: Happy birthday to the most amazing superstar Rajinikanth Sir, can't wait to watch 'Lingaa'.

Rakul Preet: Happy birthday to the greatest superstar Rajinikanth! May you have a beautiful year Sir. May you continue to influence generations.