Double bonanza for fans as Rajinikanth celebrates 75th birthday & 50 years in cinema
Chennai (PTI): It’s a double bonanza for the fans of Superstar Rajinikanth. Their legend celebrates his 75th birthday on Friday, which, incidentally marks his 50 years in cinema as well.
Not surprisingly, the day turned into a carnival for fans and the film industry alike, with special film re-releases, music shows and themed parties marking 50 years of the iconic actor’s journey in cinema.
Political leaders, including Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M K Stalin, took to X to convey their wishes to the legend.
"Rajinikanth = A charm that triumphs over age," CM Stalin said.
Wishing his "friend who has captivated audiences from six to sixty for half a century", the CM said, "May he continue to deliver many more successful works and keep his flag of victory flying high with the love and support of the people".
Opposition leader and AIADMK General Secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami, called the superstar, the "unshakable sovereign of Tamil cinema".
He also said Rajnikanth’s uber-famous "style" turns cinema halls into festive arenas.
Late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's close confidante V K Sasikala took to X to convey her "joyful and heartfelt" wishes to her "dear brother" Rajinikanth.
Sasikala said she feels "immense pride reflecting on his simple approach and his noble character of treating everyone equally and valuing friendship with all".
To celebrate the double milestone, Rajinikanth’s blockbuster ‘Padayappa’ stormed back into theatres globally, in a remastered 4K version, on Friday.
Overjoyed fans thronged the theatres to celebrate their "god", in usual early-morning "FDFS-style": with cut-outs, milk abhishekams and firecrackers. Cinema chains and single screens in Tamil Nadu and overseas reported strong advance bookings.
In some corners of the world, like in Singapore, the 1992 hit ‘Annamalai’ has also returned in 4K and Dolby Atmos, with special shows clubbed as part of "50 Golden Years of Rajinism" events, giving fans a double dose of nostalgia on the big screen.
Trade circles and fan clubs projected both re-releases as a tribute to Rajinikanth’s enduring box-office pull across generations.
In Chennai, the Mecca for Rajnikanth fans, the day has just begun. Various events, like the marquee "Thalaivar 75 | Rajini Hits", a four-hour live concert featuring band Chords & Strings performing hit songs from Rajinikanth films, are being held so that fans can turn up in themed T-shirts or sporting signature styles from his films.
The city’s nightlife too has joined the festivities with Rajinikanth-themed parties like ‘Superstar Birthday’ and ‘Thalaivaa 75’ nights, promising DJ sets, live acts and visuals built around Rajinikanth’s most popular on-screen moments.
Underlining the star’s deep pop-cultural imprint, across Tamil Nadu, fan associations organised welfare activities, cake-cuttings and screenings, while crowds gathered outside the actor’s residence to wish him on the landmark birthday.
Apart from politicians, social media platforms were flooded with tributes from fans and colleagues, as the hashtags linked to his 75th birthday, Padayappa’s return and 50 years in cinema became the trends of the day.
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US lawmakers seek clarity over financial burden, human cost, endgame in Iran conflict
Washington: Tensions rose at the US Capitol on Tuesday as lawmakers sought clearer answers from the Trump administration on the objectives, duration and costs of the ongoing military campaign against Iran, even as preparations advanced for votes aimed at curbing the president’s war powers.
Senior officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, briefed members of the House and Senate for a second consecutive day behind closed doors, as reported by the Associated Press. The sessions came ahead of votes on war powers resolutions that would limit President Donald Trump’s authority to continue joint US-Israel operations without congressional approval.
Rubio told reporters that the president acted to prevent Iran from striking first. He rejected suggestions that Washington moved only because Israel was poised to launch its own offensive, saying instead that Trump believed the weekend presented a rare opportunity to act with maximum impact. “There is no way in the world that this terroristic regime was going to get nuclear weapons, not under Donald Trump’s watch,” Rubio said.
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The conflict has widened following US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28 that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has since launched missile attacks targeting US military bases in the region. At least six American service personnel have died so far.
The administration has indicated that supplemental funding may be required to sustain operations. It added that the concerns among lawmakers about the financial burden and potential for a prolonged engagement has disrupted legislative business, sharpening political divisions at the start of a competitive midterm election cycle.
Associated Press cited Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer’s concerns about what he described as possible “mission creep.” Senator Angus King questioned whether the United States had been drawn into war at Israel’s urging, while Senator Elizabeth Warren asked how the campaign aligned with Trump’s “America First” pledge to avoid extended foreign conflicts.
Defence official Elbridge Colby told senators the president had directed the military to degrade Iran’s missile capabilities and prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons, stressing that the objective was not nation-building. Trump, speaking separately from the Oval Office, dismissed claims that Israel had forced his decision and suggested the conflict could continue if necessary. He has not ruled out deploying US ground troops.
Senator Richard Blumenthal was quoted by Associated Press as saying that he feared the possibility of American boots on the ground while Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin defended the operation, saying the president had acted decisively.
Uncertainty over Iran’s future leadership has added to concerns, with questions mounting about who might succeed Khamenei as Trump rejected the idea of backing Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran’s former monarchy. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the future of Iran should be determined by its people and House Speaker Mike Johnson said the United States would not engage in nation-building.
Lawmakers from both parties also reported a surge in calls from constituents seeking assistance for Americans attempting to leave the region as hostilities intensify.
The US Constitution grants Congress the right to declare war, however presidents have routinely begun military activities without formal declarations. Both houses are anticipated to vote on proposals that would require explicit congressional approval to continue operations. Some members have also argued that if constraints are not imposed, Congress should consider issuing an Authorization for the Use of Military Force to put lawmakers on the record.
Associated Press quoted House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries questioning the rationale for the campaign and saying there would be strong support among Democrats for the resolution. Johnson, however, warned that restricting the president during active combat could pose risks.
