Rajinikanth celebrates 50 years in cinema with emotional note, thanks fans 'for keeping him alive'

Golden Jubilee greetings poured in for Rajinikanth just as his latest blockbuster, Coolie, stormed theatres on August 14 with a staggering Rs 150 crore global opening. The release came a day before the superstar marked 50 years since his debut in K Balachander’s Apoorva Raagangal on August 15, 1975.

Celebrating the milestone, Rajinikanth shared a heartfelt Tamil statement, extending Independence Day wishes and thanking political leaders including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, Edappadi K Palaniswami, Nainar Nagendiran, Annamalai, Sasikala, Dhinakaran, and Premalatha for their support through his five-decade journey.

He also expressed deep gratitude to friends from the film industry—Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Ilaiyaraaja—before turning to his biggest pillar of strength: his fans. “I also express my heartfelt thanks to my fans who keep me alive," he wrote.

Director Lokesh Kanakaraj, who has directed Rajinikanth’s Coolie, also wished the actor for completing 50 years in the film industry and wrote, “#Coolie will always be a special film in my journey, and the reason this film shaped up the way it did with everyone pouring their hearts and love into it is because of you, #Thalaivar @rajinikanth sir."