Superstar Rajinikanth returned to Chennai on Tuesday morning after completing his spiritual sojourn at the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. The iconic actor was warmly greeted by fans and paparazzi at the Chennai airport and graciously waved before heading to his car.
Rajinikanth’s visit to the Abu Dhabi temple was widely covered, with images and videos of Rajinikanth seeking blessings being shared on the official social media pages of the BAPS Hindu Temple. The trip was not just a spiritual one, it also marked a significant milestone in Rajinikanth’s life – receiving a Golden Visa from the UAE Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
“I am extremely honoured to have been awarded this prestigious visa by the Abu Dhabi government,” Rajinikanth said in a video expressing his gratitude for the recognition.
On the work front, Rajinikanth has just wrapped up filming for director TJ Gnanavelu’s much-anticipated film Vettaiyan. The film also stars Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan and will mark Rajinikanth’s 170th film appearance, and is scheduled for global release in October this year. Earlier this month, fans were delighted by behind-the-scenes footage of Rajinikanth and Amitabh sharing a heartfelt embrace and light-hearted conversation in Mumbai.
Sharing the moment on his Instagram handle, Amitabh Bachchan wrote an emotional caption, “Happy to be with Tara The Great Rajni once again. He hasn’t changed at all – the same simple, humble and down to earth friend despite his phenomenal greatness!!!”
The buzz around “Vettaiyan” has been steadily building up, especially since the title teaser was released on Rajinikanth’s 73rd birthday. The film features an all-star cast that includes Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Ritika Singh, Manju Warrier and Dussehra Vijayan, and has music by Anirudh Ravichandran. Rajinikanth’s scenes have been shot in various locations including Trivandrum, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin, building up anticipation.
Rajinikanth last starred in Laal Salaam, directed by his daughter Aishwarya. The Tamil sports drama, which explores themes of caste oppression and religious discrimination, stars Vishnu Vishal and Vikrant in the lead roles, with Rajinikanth making a memorable cameo as Moideen Bai. Though it received mixed reviews, Laal Salaam has been noted for its bold themes and strong performances.
Rajinikanth’s return to Chennai and upcoming projects continue to excite and fascinate fans, cementing his place as a beloved and enduring figure in Indian cinema.
