Veteran actor Kamal Haasan took to X, to wish his “dear friend” Rajinikanth “a speedy recovery” following the latter’s hospitalisation. Kamal and Rajinikanth, both icons in their own right, have starred together in several films in the 1970s and 1980s, including Moondru Mudichu, Avargal, 16 Vayathinile and Ninaithale Inikkum. In fact, Apoorva Raagangal, where Kamal played the lead, was Rajinikanth’s debut film.

“I wish my dear friend, Superstar @rajinikanth, who is hospitalised, a speedy recovery,” reads the translation of the 69-year-old actor’s post.

Soon after, fans flooded the comments section with their love and support for their ‘Thalaiva’. “Your friend will recover completely and come back healthy,” one of them wrote. “Get well soon Rajinikanth,” another commented.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Chennai hospital, where Rajinikanth was admitted, revealed that the 73-year-old actor had developed swelling in a major blood vessel connected to his heart and had to undergo a non-surgical procedure.

On the work front, Rajinikanth will be next seen in the October 10 release, Vettaiyan, where he will reunite with Hum cast-mate Amitabh Bachchan after 33 years. Directed by T.J. Gnanavel, the film also features Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Ritika Singh, Manju Warrier and Dushara Vijayan.

After Vettaiyan, Rajinikanth will star in Coolie, slated to release in 2025.

Kamal Haasan, for his part, is in the news for the upcoming Thug Life, a much-talked-about collaboration with director Mani Ratnam.