Superstar Rajinikanth is ringing in his 70th birthday today, and it goes without saying that his fans are going berserk on social media sending out their wishes to the actor. Let us take a look at all the times when Rajinikanth made the headlines and took over the internet with his announcements and controversial remarks during the year of 2020.

1. Political party announcement: At a time when the Assembly Elections are fast approaching in the state of Tamil Nadu, Rajinikanth took to his Twitter space and made an announcement saying that he has decided to enter politics. After issuing the statement, he met the press at his residence in Poes Garden, where he vowed to change the fate of Tamil Nadu and stated that the state will witness a ‘Spiritual governance’.

2. Remark on Periyar rally: During the 50th anniversary of the Tamil magazine "Thuglak", Rajinikanth made a remark against a rally conducted by social reformist Periyar in 1971. He stated that naked idols of Lord Rama and Sita were displayed in a rally led by Periyar in Salem. His statement drew flaks from politicians and the public in Tamil Nadu and a case was filed against him. An open apology was also demanded from him for his remarks. However, he denied to issue an apology and stated that his statements were not baseless and there was no need to issue an apology for speaking up the truth.

3. Raghavendra marriage hall’s Income Tax controversy: In October this year, Rajinikanth saw the wrath of the Madras High Court after he appealed to waive off Income Tax for his Raghavendra Marriage Hall. He stated that the hall did not function during the period of lockdown and hence, there was no income in the first place from the marriage hall to pay the Income Tax. Later, Rajinikanth took to his Twitter space and said an appeal should have been made to the city corporation over the tax demand matter for the mandapam and it was his "mistake" of rushing to court.

4. Remark against Saathankulam controversy: Rajinikanth took to his Twitter space and expressed shock at the way the Sathankulam police officials behaved with a Magistrate who had gone to the police station to inquire into custodial deaths and said the concerned officials should be punished. He said he was shocked to hear of the manner in which the police officials spoke and behaved in front of the Magistrate inside the Sathankulam police station even as there was widespread condemnation of the brutal torture and killing of a father and son by the police.

5. A Drive on Lamborghini: At a time when lockdown was imposed in the state of Tamil Nadu, a photo of Rajinikanth surfaced online, where he was seen driving a Lamborghini, wearing a facemask. As much as it went viral on social media, it also drew flaks. The photo raised questions from people as to how was he allowed to travel out of the city limits when the whole country was in lockdown mode for pandemic.