Fanfare at Poes Garden on December 12 was not new, but this year the celebration of the diehard fans of Superstar Rajinikanth added an element of excitement. The reason, the icon, who turned 70 on Saturday, is all set to make a new avatar, a politician and set in motion to register his political party with the Election Commission of India.

Three years after announcing that he would take a political plunge, Rajinikanth is likely to announce the launch of his political party on the eve of the new year. He would also expect to make a slew of announcements on his party flag, agenda, and revamping of Rajini Makkal Mandram.

Birthday wishes poured in from various quarters and walk of the lives of the actor, who mesmerized movie lovers for more than four decades. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, his deputy O Panneerselvam, DMK leader M K Stalin, actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan and several Union ministers and politicians cutting across parties took to social media to extend their birthday wishes to Rajinikanth.

Meanwhile, film fraternities from across the country have also extended their birthday wishes. Twitteraties thanked the actor and expressed birthday wishes to their icon with hashtag 'Rajinism'.

Rajinikanth, in response, tweeted thanking the PM, “Respected dear @narendramodi Ji, thank you very much for your kind wishes.” He also thanked CM EPS, deputy CM OPS, opposition leader M K Stalin and friends in political parties in central, state and film industries and fans across the world, who were celebrating his birthday and said, “my heartfelt thanks for wishing me happy birthday.”

As usual, scores of fans thronged the Poes Garden hoping to catch a glimpse of their idol. Though fans were unable to catch the glimpse of the actor, Rajinikanth's lookalike didn't fail to enthral his fans. They dressed up like his movie characters such as Ethiran, Annamalai, Arunachalam, Basha, Baba and Dharma Durai. 

The members of RMM held feasts and distributed sweets in different parts of the state to celebrate the star’s birthday.