50 years of Thalaivar: Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, Mohanlal & others hail Rajinikanth’s journey

It has been five decades since superstar Rajinikanth first appeared on screen in K Balachander’s 'Apoorva Raagangal' in 1975. As Thalaiva marked 50 glorious years in the entertainment industry, tributes poured in from across the Indian film fraternity, celebrating the milestone and the man behind the legend.

Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth’s longtime friend and co-star, shared a heartfelt note on X. “Marking half a century of cinematic brilliance, my dear friend @rajinikanth celebrates 50 glorious years in cinema today. I celebrate our Super Star with affection and admiration, and wish #Coolie resounding global success befitting this golden jubilee,” he wrote.

Director S. Shankar, who has worked with Rajinikanth on blockbusters like Sivaji, Endhiran and 2.0, penned a moving message. “Dear @rajinikanth sir, the awe I felt from the day I first saw you on screen in Moondru Mudichu, seeing you in person on the sets of Johnny, meeting you as a director, narrating my stories, making Sivaji, Endhiran, 2.0 and up until a couple of weeks ago when I saw you last — 50 years of awe that has never diminished. They say the most positive aura extends fifty feet from its source, but your Awe-ra engulfs the whole world, sir. Your life is a lesson in humility, staying grounded, respect, dedication, punctuality, hard work and perseverance. A golden jubilee has never shined brighter. My best ever wishes for #Coolie and the whole team. Arangam Adhirattum.”

From Malayalam cinema, Mammootty expressed his admiration for the superstar. “Heartfelt congratulations to dear @rajinikanth on completing 50 glorious years in cinema. It was truly an honour to share the screen with you. Wishing you the very best for #Coolie. Keep inspiring and shining always,” he wrote.

Mohanlal too joined in the celebrations. “Fifty years of unmatched charisma, dedication, and magic on screen! Congratulations to the one and only @rajinikanth sir on this monumental milestone. Here’s to #Coolie and many more iconic moments ahead,” he posted.

Actor Karthi summed it up in a few words: “50 years of unmatched style, mass and magic. The one and only #Superstar!! @rajinikanth.”

With Coolie set for release, the golden jubilee year is shaping up to be a special chapter in Rajinikanth’s legendary career — one that fans and colleagues alike are celebrating with pride, love and admiration.