Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad on December 12, 1950, he was given the name 'Rajinikanth' by ace Tamil filmmaker K Balachander in whose 1975 flick Apporva Raagangal the debuted in a supportive role.
"A very happy birthday to @rajinikanth Ji. May he keep inspiring people with his creativity and phenomenal acting," Modi tweeted.
"May Almighty bless him with a long and healthy life," the prime minister said.
(Published 12 December 2021, 08:17 IST)