December 12 – the date spells magic in tinsel town. Superstar Rajinikanth was born on this day in the year 1949. Ever since his incredible talent came to be known and after he started getting adulation from scores of his fans, December 12 has literally become a festive occasion for lakhs of Rajinikanth fans.

Rajinikanth was born as Shivaji Rao Gaekwad to Marathi parents Ramojirao Gaekwad (a police constable) and Jijabai. There are a few who say that Rajinikanth though a Marathi born in Karnataka, has his ancestral place is Nachiar Kuppam, Dharmapuri district in Tamilnadu.

Young Shivaji lost his mother when he was eight and went through torrid times due to his family's low income.

However, he was passionate about performing on stage and did so whenever he got an opportunity. Working his way through odd jobs the young man found himself a kind of steady job with the Karnataka State Transport Corporation. But then the acting bug had bitten him so hard that he decided to come over to the Madras Film Institute and learn acting. He did this after taking a loan from a friend. It was after this course that K. Balachander spotted the talent in him and gave him acting opportunities. He even christened him Rajinikanth….and the rest as they say is history.

The actor has asked his fans not to celebrate his birthday this year as he wants to show solidarity with the suffering Lankan Tamils. Though his fans will not celebrate the superstar's birthday outright, they sure would love to see his incredible talent in the scores of films that he has acted in.

Listen to 'Superstar' Rajinikanth Birthday Special Songs on Raaga.com.

Here's an opportunity to see the brilliant performances of 'Style King' Rajinikanth in nineteen spectacular films.

Watch Rajinikanth on IGCinema.com and engulf your screens with STYLE and SUBSTANCE.