Superstar Rajinikanth's 2011 in pictures

In January 2011, Rajinikanth signed-up for 'Rana'.

The new project is titled titled 'Kochadaiyaan'.

Rajinikanth is all set for the new project 'Kochadaiyaan' and there are ample speculations about who the heroine might be.

Rajnikanth was back in news with his 'RA.One' cameo and despite a little lull in his career due to illness - the superstar was everywhere again.

The protect is to be directed by Soundarya Rajinikanth and written by KS Ravikumar.

Shah Rukh Khan's attempt to play an android in 'RA.One' was heavily compared to the role of Chiti in 'Endhiran'.

Shah Rukh admitted that he was inspired by Rajinikanth's Chiti to play G.One.

In November 2011, it was decided that 'Rana' would be shelved to make way for a new project with Rajinikanth in the lead.

2011 has been rather interesting for superstar Rajinikanth.

During the principal photography of the film he suffered a foodborne illness that caused emesis which resulted in dehydration and exhaustion.

'Rana' is a period film to be produced by Soundarya Rajinikanth and directed by KS Ravikumar, who will work with Rajinikanth for the third time.

Five days after his last hospital visit, he was rushed to the same hospital again after complaining of breathlessness and fever.

He was diagnosed with bronchitis and was kept at the hospital for a week, while spending a few days under an intensive care unit.

Several conflicting reports of discharge dates had arised, as well as claims of Rajinikanth's health deteriorating,which were continuously denied by Latha Rajinikanth.

In the middle the rumours came up that he might have died. This news became an instant trend of Twitter till his son-in-law Dhanush confirmed that he was in good health.

In May, Aishwarya Rajinikanth released a photo of her and Rajinikanth, both posing with a thumbs signal in his hospital ward, responding to fans' negative reaction to news reports.

He addressed fans in a 4-minute digitally recorded voice message to the media, Rajinikanth, under the advice of Amitabh Bachchan, travelled from Chennai to Singapore with his family on 21 May 2011, where he was to undergo further treatment for nephropathy at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital

Despite several failed attempts to restart 'Rana', Rajinikanth appeared in the Bollywood science-fiction film 'RA.One' in a cameo appearance alongside Shahrukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

His son-in-law Dhanush's song 'Kolaveri Di' was a runaway hit online but as they all say - it can never be bigger than Rajinikanth.