Rajinikanth meets Vithya Ramaraj after 54.75-second record

Rajinikanth has turned a sporting milestone into a filmi celebration. The superstar met Tamil Nadu athlete Vithya Ramaraj to congratulate her on a three-medal campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

Three medals, one long-standing record gone

Vithya came home with a gold, silver and bronze. Her bronze moment was historic: in the women’s 400m hurdles, she clocked 54.75 seconds to finish third. That was 0.67 seconds faster than PT Usha’s 55.42-second national record, set at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and it ended a mark that had stood for 42 years.

She also played a key role in India’s gold medal win in the women’s 4x400m relay, racing alongside Kiran Pahal, M.R. Poovamma and Prachi.

Her trainer Nehpal Singh and Chennai District Masters Athletic Association president M Shenbagamoorthy were present when Rajinikanth offered his congratulations.

Why the Superstar’s nod matters

This is more than a photo call. When Rajinikanth amplifies an athlete’s achievement, the story travels from sports pages to film fans who might otherwise miss it. It also arrives a day after actor Dhanush met Vithya, making her record run a shared moment across Tamil cinema.

For audiences who love the world around the movies, that star power is part of the fun: a legitimate sporting high gets the celebratory treatment usually reserved for a big opening weekend.

What’s next on screen

Rajinikanth’s own calendar is busy. Here’s what fans should mark:

• Jailer 2 — the Nelson Dilipkumar-directed sequel arrives in theatres on 15 October.
• Dharmam — Rajinikanth plays a doctor who appears to take on criminals; Kamal Haasan produces.
• RKxKH — a tentatively titled collaboration with Kamal Haasan, also directed by Nelson Dilipkumar.

For now, though, the best opening line belongs to Vithya: 54.75 seconds, and a 42-year-old record gone.

Source: The Times of India