Rajinikanth turns 67, B-town wishes him long and healthy life

New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): On the 67th birthday of Thalaiva superstar Rajinikanth, a string of Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Riteish Deshmukh and Akshay Kumar among many others have wished the 'legendary' actor a long and healthy life.

Rajinikanth, whose real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, was born on December 12 1950.

The Indian film actor, who works primarily in Tamil cinema, began acting in plays while working in the Bangalore Transport Service as a bus conductor.

In 1973, he joined the Madras Film Institute to pursue a diploma course in acting.

Following his debut in K Balachander's Tamil drama Apoorva Raagangal (1975), his acting career commenced with a brief phase of portraying antagonistic characters in Tamil films.

Here's what Bollywood celebrities tweeted:

Wishing his dear friend a very happy birthday, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan? took to his Twitter handle, writing, "T 2739 - To my dear friend, colleague and a most humble and large hearted Colossus !! Birthday greetings .. ???? ??, ???? ?? , ???? ??????? ?? !!????"

T 2739 - To my dear friend, colleague and a most humble and large hearted Colossus !! Birthday greetings .. ???? ??, ???? ?? , ???? ??????? ?? !!???? pic.twitter.com/ToIVU0LGLL

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 12, 2017

The 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' director took to his Twitter account and wrote, "Happy birthday to the mega super star @superstarrajini ....the aura , the magic , the connect and the humility is legendary....happy birthday Sir!"

Happy birthday to the mega super star @superstarrajini ....the aura , the magic , the connect and the humility is legendary....happy birthday Sir!

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) December 12, 2017

The 'Housefull' star also wished the "Thalaiva," writing, "Happy Birthday Thalaiva.. the one and only @superstarrajini Sir. Wishing him long life & best of health."

Happy Birthday Thalaiva.. the one and only @superstarrajini Sir. Wishing him long life & best of health. pic.twitter.com/wmaAaJByiy

— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) December 12, 2017

The 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' star wrote, " Have always been in awe of your onscreen persona but working with you made me a bigger fan of you offscreen. They don't call you Superstar just like that :) Keep shining the brightest ?@superstarrajini Sir #HappyBirthdaySuperStarRajinikanth"

Have always been in awe of your onscreen persona but working with you made me a bigger fan of you offscreen. They don't call you Superstar just like that :) Keep shining the brightest ?@superstarrajini Sir #HappyBirthdaySuperStarRajinikanth

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 12, 2017

Abhishek Bachchan? also took to his Twitter handle, writing, "Happy Birthday Thalaiva @superstarrajini"

Happy Birthday Thalaiva @superstarrajini

— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) December 12, 2017

After earning 26 crore (equivalent to 55 crore or US$8.6 million in 2016) for his role in 'Sivaji' in 2007, he became the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan at the time. (ANI)