BENGALURU:
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, BJP’s Tamil Nadu in charge C T Ravi and state ministers on Thursday joined millions others in greeting Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on being chosen for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for the year 2019 RPT 2019.
“Heartfelt congratulations to the globally acclaimed film actor, fondly addressed as Thalaiva by his followers and superstar Rajinikanth, on being honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. On behalf of all the Kannadigas, I wish him all the best,” the Chief Minister tweeted.
'Hearty congratulations to Superstar Rajinikanth on being conferred the Indian cinema's highest recognition, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. A versatile actor & a great human being Shri @rajinikanth 's contribution to Indian cinema is immense. My best wishes to him' : CM @BSYBJP. pic.twitter.com/bHqbH7qWhs
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) April 1, 2021
Ravi, the BJP national general secretary and party’s Tamil Nadu in charge, tweeted, “Heartiest Congratulations to Thalaiva @rajinikanth on being awarded the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award for 2021.”
“One of the greatest actors of His generation, the contribution of Thiru Rajinikanth to Indian cinema is exemplary. I share this happiness with His crores of fans,” he added.
Heartiest Congratulations to Thalaiva @rajinikanth on being awarded the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for 2021.
— C T Ravi 🇮🇳 ಸಿ ಟಿ ರವಿ (@CTRavi_BJP) April 1, 2021
One of the greatest Actor of His generation, contribution of Thiru Rajinikanth to Indian cinema is exemplary.
I share this happiness with His crores of Fans. pic.twitter.com/jCaXvnl21u
Deputy Chief Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan and Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar too greeted the actor.
Congratulations to Shri @rajinikanth for being honoured with the #DadasahebPhalke award for the year 2020.
— Dr. Ashwathnarayan C. N. (@drashwathcn) April 1, 2021
Your journey from Bengaluru to be the most celebrated cinema talent is phenomenal and inspirational.#Thalaiva#Rajinikanth pic.twitter.com/6mXN8Wxyht
Hearty congratulations to Super Star Shri @rajinikanth on being conferred the 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
— Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) April 1, 2021
ದೇಶದ ಅತ್ಯುನ್ನತ ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ ಪುರಸ್ಕಾರವಾದ ದಾದಾಸಾಹೇಬ್ ಫಾಲ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಗೆ ಭಾಜನರಾಗಿರುವ ಸೂಪರ್ ಸ್ಟಾರ್ ಶ್ರೀ ರಜಿನಿಕಾಂತ್ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಹೃತ್ಪೂರ್ವಕ ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು. pic.twitter.com/tyGhdwPQyl
The actor’s Karnataka connection is well known.
Born to a Marathi family in Bengaluru, Rajinikanth’s original name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad.
He did his schooling in Bengaluru and spent much of his prime in the Garden City.
He had served as a bus conductor in the Bangalore Transport Services (BTS), the previous avatar of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) before trying his luck in tinsel town where he outshone many of his contemporaries.
The actor’s relatives including his brother live in Bengaluru and the actor often visits them.
His stay in Tamil Nadu did not blunt his command over Kannada as he speaks the language eloquently.
Celebrations broke out in parts of Bengaluru with a substantial Tamil population as the news came about the Phalke award to Rajinikanth. PTI