Thalapathi (1991) starring Rajinikanth in the lead was re-released in 4K in select theaters of Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, marking the 74th birthday of the Superstar actor. A gangster drama adapted from the friendship of Karna and Duryodhana in Mahabharata, Thalapathi is written and directed by Mani Ratnam, and also stars Mammootty, Arvind Swami, Shobana, Bhanu Priya, Srividya, Jai Shankar, Amrish Puri, Nagesh, among others. 

The movie has and has Ilaiyaraaja for music, and depicts Rajinikanth as the modern day version of Karna. Surya (Rajinikanth) an orphan from the slum is a fearless lad, who befriends the local don Deva (Mammotty), a modern day version of Duryodhana. How they face the attempts of the district collector Arjun (Arvind Swami) to thwart them, who also happens to be Surya's half-brother (modern day version of Arjuna) is what forms the rest of the story. 

Fan reactions to catching Thalapathi on the big screen in better quality was overall enthusiastic, but a weekday release has also left many in sorrow that they couldn't catch the film. Some remnants of the same here:

Evergreen intro 🔥 #Superstar #Thalapathi #Vettri pic.twitter.com/eY9sE59oQh

— Rakesh Gowthaman (@VettriTheatres) December 11, 2024

Finally witnessed THE GREATEST CINEMATIC SHOT EVER on the big screen 🛐🛐🛐#ThalapathiReRelease #Thalaivar #Rajinikanth pic.twitter.com/pzMdLwRmL6

— 𝗠𝘂𝗮𝗱'𝗱𝗶𝗯 𝗨𝘀𝘂𝗹 (@Paul_Atreides0) December 12, 2024

Thalaivar got applause for this scene 🫡🥹❤️‍🔥 sorry I'm few seconds late to capture it 🚶

Whistles & Shouting are common but applause is rare...priceless.. unexpected gesture from the audience🥺🙏♥️#HBDSuperstarRajinikanth#ThalapathiReRelease #Thalapathi #Coolie pic.twitter.com/PuOdAu96Rq

— Muthu (@SuperstarFan90s) December 12, 2024

MUDIYATHU scene tamil makkal response! FIRE 💥!#ThalapathiReRelease #rajanikanth #Mammootty #ManiRatnam pic.twitter.com/5DQv8G9oJL

— Cine Philospher (@cinephiloser) December 12, 2024

Thanks bro @KamalaCinemas for such a wonderful experience on my Thalaivar bday ❤️☺️ just enjoyed the movie .. it’s a classic which needs to be celebrated for years ❤️☺️#ThalapathiReRelease #Thalaivar74thBirthday #HappyBirthdayRajinikanth #ThalaivarForLife pic.twitter.com/QIRI470uRC

— Swat (@swats253) December 12, 2024

Almost 35 varusathuku Mela aana oru padatha re rls panni kondadradhellam 🥵🔥📈
"Andha frame ku sounda parunga ji"#Coolie #ThalapathiReRelease#HBDRajinikanth #Superstar pic.twitter.com/SYskraUSyt

— AK~Twitz (@Ajith_OSF) December 11, 2024

Kaatu Kuyilu Manasukulla ..❤

The entire theater Shook ..💥🎉🔥

Happy birthday My Dear Uyire Vazhga pallandu @rajinikanth sir..🙏❤😭#HBDSuperstarRajinikanth#ThalapathiReRelease #Coolie #Jailer2 pic.twitter.com/KZzr3qQAzO

— PSK (@shagul_psk) December 11, 2024

How was the 4K remastering of the #ThalapathiReRelease guys? Missed to watch it in theatres this time. pic.twitter.com/3t3hiTeEnJ

— WC Studios (@WCStudiosOffl) December 12, 2024

#ThalapathiReRelease Marana mass samabavam across Chennai . Despite rains

More than 10k tickets now

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥#HBDSuperstarRajinikanth #Rajinikanth | #Superstar @rajinikanth | #Jailer | #SuperstarRajinikanth | #Coolie | #Jailer2 | #Thalapathi pic.twitter.com/gbSJWV85uu

— Suresh Balaji (@surbalu) December 12, 2024

Rajinikanth's Thalapathi co-star Mammootty, a peer and a star in the Malayalam film industry, took to X to wish the Tamil actor with a still from the movie. 

Happy Birthday Dear @rajinikanth ,May you continue to inspire millions as you always do in the years to come. Stay Happy and Healthy forever. 😊 pic.twitter.com/dWA87vENh3

— Mammootty (@mammukka) December 12, 2024