Superstar Rajinikanth turns 68 today and fans of all ages and in all parts of the world have been pouring in birthday wishes for the actor on social media. Yes, they have taken to social media to wish the actor in the most adorable way possible. The Kaala actor, who has a staggering fan following and a daunting screen presence, is one such celebrity, who has never been named the world’s richest actor neither he does any TV commercials or talk shows. In fact, the actor does not even do extensive promotions for his films, but yet the kind of popularity he enjoys across the world is crazy. Nawazuddin Siddiqui Joins Rajinikanth, Vijay Sethupathi’s ‘Petta’ and Fans Are Going Crazy Over This Deadly Combo! (View Pic)

Rajinikanth's recent sci-fi film, helmed by Shankar, is already a huge success and has now the third highest grosser of 2018. Honestly, Rajinikanth is himself a brand; Anything that is associated with him automatically becomes famous. But it was not a cakewalk for the actor to be what he is today.

On the Occasion of Rajinikanth’s 68th Birthday, Here Are Some of the Interesting Facts About Him That Every Thalaivar Fan Must Know:

# Thalaiva's real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad. He was brought up speaking Marathi and Kannada. However, the Kaala actor is known by his mononymous stage name Rajinikanth. If one didn't know this, then he can't be a true Rajini fan as this is the least one could have known about their favourite actor.

# Before entering the film industry, Rajinikanth used to work as a coolie, carpenter and a bus conductor. Yes, no kidding! He began acting in plays while working in the Bangalore Transport Service as a bus conductor. The superstar joined the Madras Film Institute in 1973 to pursue a diploma in acting and bagged his first film in the South industry.

# Rajinikanth made his film debut with K Balachander's Tamil drama Apoorva Raagangal (1975). The film was not only well received but also went on to win three National Awards. With more and more films, Thalaiva went from an actor to a performer, who not only enthralled his audience but moved them to tears.

# In the first two years of Rajinikanth's career, he got only negative roles to play - of an abusive husband, a rapist, a womaniser, a pornographer, an adulterer, among other but it was in 1977 when he first got to enact in a positive role in the movie Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri.

# Rajinikanth, who is 8 years elder than his wife Latha Rangachari, met the woman of his life in an exceptional way and at that very moment, he took the decision of a lifetime. Yes, who would have thought the girl, who stole our superstar's heart away, would be a college girl, who met him for an interview. The two met on the sets Thillu Mullu, the Tollywood version of movie Golmaal, in 1980.

In other news, Rajinikanth, on his 68th birthday, has the best gift for fans. Yes, you read that right. The makers of the film will drop the teaser of Thalaiva's next, Petta, at 11 am tomorrow and fans have already gotten #RajinikanthBirthdaySpecial #PettaTeaser and #PettaTreatSer trending on Twitter.

On the professional front, Rajinikanth is seen in Shankar's magnum opus 2.0, which also stars Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson in pivotal roles. The actor will also be seen in Karthik Subbaraj's Petta. The film marks the first collaboration of Rajinikanth and filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj. Bankrolled by Sun Pictures, the film is currently underway in Lucknow. Watch this space for further updates.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 12, 2018 09:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).