Hindustan Times honours Rajinikanth with rare front-page tribute

Hindustan Times on Tuesday marked actor Rajinikanth’s 50 years in cinema with an unprecedented gesture, dedicating its entire front page to the superstar.

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The newspaper said this was the first time in its 100-year history that a single individual occupied the entire front page. Readers who picked up the November 19 edition found the masthead replaced by “Rajinikanth Times”, a visual tribute created with OTTplay.

HT said the gesture was meant to recognise a personality who has influenced Indian cinema and popular culture for five decades. Readers expressed surprise and appreciation at the special edition.

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Rajinikanth responded on X, thanking the media house for what he called an overwhelming surprise. “My heart is full of joy,” he wrote, expressing gratitude to fans for their long-standing affection.

Deeply honoured and grateful for this tribute. My sincere thanks to Ottplay and Hindustan Times for this wonderful initiative. Thank you for all the love. God bless.

— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) November 19, 2025

From Bengaluru conductor to cultural icon

Rajinikanth, born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad in Bengaluru, entered films in 1975 with Apoorva Raagangal. Over the years he acted in several hit films and became one of India’s most influential screen personalities, building a massive fan base across the country.

In Tamil Nadu, his Chennai residence continues to attract visitors seeking blessings, while fans in Madurai recently built a temple featuring more than 5,500 photos of him.

IFFI to felicitate Rajinikanth next week

The 56th International Film Festival of India, scheduled to conclude later this month in Goa, will felicitate Rajinikanth during its closing ceremony. The actor has acted in several landmark films such as Baasha, Muthu, Thalapathi, Kabali, Kaala, Petta, Jailer and Vettaiyan.

HT Media said its tribute extended across platforms, with Fever FM joining the campaign on air and OTTplay hosting a curated Rajinikanth collection for subscribers.