Happy Birthday, Superstar!

As Superstar Rajinikanth enters his 62nd year tomorrow, fans across the globe are rejoicing.
While it is not known what the Superstar���s own plans are for the big day, the occasion will certainly witness grand celebrations carried out by fans the world over.
The Endhiran star has only managed to become a bigger phenomenon with every passing year. This year also saw the man conquer the hearts of the fans across the nation with just a twominute cameo in RA.One.Now, the entire nation wants more of him and waits with bated breath for his next film. With the Superstar all set to return to the big screen with a bang in the animated prequel to Rana, Kochadaiyaan, the coming year promises admirers much more to look forward to from his side.
���I���M APPA���S DIE-HARD FAN��� 2011 was a very tough year for us as a family. What took us through were all the prayers and the love that people have for appa. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart to have been there as an extended family and along with all of you, as a die-hard fan of Appa���s, here���s wishing the greatest father and the most wonderful human being a very happy birthday. Kochadaiyaan is very close to his heart and it���s a tremendously challenging film done using performance capture. We are working hard to complete the film in 2012. ��� Soundarya Rajinikanth, filmmaker
Chennai Times wishes the Superstar a year filled with success and good health.
CT puts together a compilation of the best moments in the Superstar���s life and career...
THE YEAR THAT WAS...
JANUARY 2011
Rana,a big-budget action entertainer starring Rajini in three roles is announced
APRIL 29
Big day as he arrives for the puja of Rana. Looks unwell in the costume for the first shot and is admitted to a Mylapore hospital later in the day. The actor gets discharged after a day
MAY 4
His health deteriorates and he���s admitted back to the same hospital
MAY 16
Moved to a different hospital, reportedly for respiratory and gastrointestinal problems
MAY 21
The Superstar and his family leave for Singapore to undergo further treatment
JUNE 15
Discharged from hospital but continues to be in Singapore
JULY 13 The actor arrives at Chennai to thunderous applause at the airport. He waves to the crowd and signals that all is well
OCTOBER 29 Makes his first public appearance at director S P Muthuraman���s felicitation function. A day later, the actor also attends P Vasu son Shakthi���s wedding and then makes appearances at Dushyant���s wedding and at Maanu���s dance performance
SOME MEMORABLE ROLES
16 VAYATHINILE
Rajini decided to forego his characteristic mush in this remake of Golmaalbut still won over fans with his comic sense. While his hilarious Mr Perfect avatar as Chandran won us over, it was the ���mushless��� Indran delighted us with his caustic one-liners targeted at the poor Thengai Srinivasan.
MOONDRU MUGAM
There can be no second choice; Alex Pandian is the definitive versionof an upright and uptight cop, a role that later spawned Aarusaamy and Duraisingham.With the handlebar mush, uniquely cropped hair, brisk walk and fiery dialogues, Rajini burned the screen in this avatar.
THILLU MULLU
Rajini decided to forego his characteristic mush but still won over fans with his comic sense. While his hilarious Mr Perfect as Chandran won us over, the cleanshaven Indran delighted us with his caustic one-liners targetted at the poor Thengai Srinivasan.
SRI RAGHAVENDRA
Rajini's hundredth film that had him playing what is arguably his most offbeat role ��� Saint Raghavendra, the Superstar���s spiritual guru. Reportedly, he even quit smoking during the time he was shooting for the film.
ENDHIRAN
As Chitti, the robot, Superstar appealed to both children and grown-ups alike. Shankar���s script helped Rajini display his acting skills by playing the hero and his arch nemesis with equal elan. It is considered one of the biggest hits.
DIRECTOR'S SPEAK
K BALACHANDER
I have introduced many actors in the industry so far. And Rajinikanth is one of the best finds. Apoorva Raagangal went on become a National Film-winning venture. But, the biggest success from the film was having the credit of introducing a Superstar like him through the film. In films thereafter with Rajinikanth, I have seen his sincere efforts and humility. All of this is reason for the success that he has achieved today. I wish for more accolades and good health to him.
K S RAVIKUMAR
Last year, on his birthday, Rajini sir looked tired, due to fatigue after the release of Endhiran. This year, he seems stronger, and healthy. I meet Rajini sir at least five times a week these days for discussions regarding our film together. By his next birthday, I pray that we will be done with Kochadaiyaan and would have begun shooting for Rana. A little known fact is that Rajini sir addresses me as ���boss��� when on the sets and ���sir��� during our discussions.
SUPERSTAR'S LADIES
Some of the actresses he romanced on screen...
AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN
Okay, it may be just only one film (Endhiran) where they acted together, but it is still considered to be a big casting coup. After all, this film got to see the Superstar was paired with the ulaga azhagi! Vasee (Rajini) and Sana (Aishwarya) were considered a cute pair, and everyone was simply mesmerised by the pair in the songs of the film, especially Kilimanjaro...
MEENA
Thillana Thillana, someone? The actress paired with the Superstar in several endearing roles that appealed to audiences. Her pairing with him in Muthu is considered the best of the lot.
SRIDEVI She���s considered to be one of the most memorable co-stars of the Superstar. They���ve acted nearly a dozen films together and the pair is best known for Johnny, where they set the screen on fire together.