RAJNIKANTH GIVES THE BIG GUYS OF BOLLYWOOD A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY

# RAJNIKANTH RAPS THE BIG BROTHERS OF BOLLYWOOD ON THE KNUCKLES IN HALF-YEARLY EXAMS, SHOWS THEM WHO IS THE BOSS
Star appeal, big budgets and swanky foreign locations have all failed to bring cheer to Bollywood as the world's biggest film industry struggled to make a profit in the first half of 2007.

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# WHAT MAKES RAJNIKANTH SUCH A PHENOMENON ACROSS THE WORLD?In South India, Rajnikanth is a part of everybody's family. If there's a family of four - father, mother and two kids - Ranjikanth is the fifth member. And it'll automatically be called a family of five.

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# SIVAJI FOLLOWS THE SUCCESSFUL FORMULA OF THE STAR'S CAPERS THAT MADE HIM A SUPER STAR
Sivaji: The Boss is a colourful spectacle, awash with the razzmatazz of whirling song and dance sequences and comic acts, says a BBC report

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# SHIVAJI RUNS INTO LEGAL TANGLE
The superstar Rajnikanth-starrer Sivaji: The Boss, which has been declared a universal hit has run into a legal battle over its script. Assistant director Sudalai K Jayarajadevan has moved the case into court, claiming he wrote the story and narrated it to the film's director S Shankar in 2005, but Shankar has made the
film without giving him the credit.

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AMITABH BACHCHAN COMES NO WHERE NEAR RAJNIKANTH EITHER IN TERMS OF POPULARITY OR REMUNERATION

Amitabh's fee per film is Rs 3 crore. Rajnikant's is Rs 35 crore. Amitabh makes 7 to 8 films a year. Rajnikanth makes one film in two years. Rajnikanth has 63,000 registered fan clubs all round the world, Amitabh has 23 fan clubs. Sivaji: The boss, incidentally, was released simultaneously in 37 countries, East and West. And it sets people thinking as well as wondering what is the secret of the exuberance and near mania from fans which one saw on the screen when Sivaji was released recently.

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WILL SHANKARDADA DO A SIVAJI? EXPECTATIONS SOAR FOR SHANKARDADA ZINDABAD

With the super success of Rajnikanth's film, Sivaji: The Boss, all eyes are on Shankardada Zindabad, in which Chiranjeevi plays a 'goon-turned-Gandhian'. Chiranjeevi, we hear, is taking all possible efforts to ensure that there are no flaws in the film, technical or otherwise. And he has been monitoring every shot and scene of the film, especially after the not-so-impressive showing of Shankardada MBBS.

Though Munnabhai MBBS was a roaring hit in Bollywood and touched the heartstrings of the people in India, director Jayanth quite couldn't catch the pulse of the film, and the result was that Shankardada MBBS, which would have been a chartbuster for Chiranjeevi couldn't fare as expected. Predictably, Jayanth was blamed for the film's poor showing, and Prabhu Deva roped in to direct the sequel.

But, more than Shankardada MBBS, Shankardada Zindabad needs a very sensitive handling of the film, which is why the filmmakers wanted to retain the entire cast from the Hindi version. But except for Dilip Prabhavalkar, who played Gandhi, the others were not too willing to act in a remake. So, out go Vidya Balan, who was the lynchpin of the entire film after Gandhi, Dia Mirza and Boman Irani. Of course, Srikanth, who played Arshad Warsi, was the favourite of Shankardada MBBS, and the audiences are looking forward to see how he fares in the sequel. One thing we can expect, however, from Prabhu Deva is the technical finesse and the amazing choreography, two things that are vital in a Chiranjeevi film today. Because if the songs catch on, it is half the victory. And, even if they manage to capture 50 per cent of the essence of Lago Rahe Munnabhai, the filmmakers would go laughing all the way to the bank.

Right now, the songs are being picturised on Chiranjeevi and Karishma Kotak in the picturesque locales of Australia. Except for that everything is complete. And the film is sceheduled for release in exactly a month from now -- on July 24.

WHAT ARE THE TOLLYWOOD STARS DOING TO EMULATE RAJNIKANTH AS THE IRREPLACEABLE ICON?

Rajnikanth has been making waves the world over with his latest film Sivaji: The Boss. What are the Tollywood stars -- Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Venkatesh, Nagarjuna, Pavan Kalyan, Prabhas, Allu Arjun, Siddharth, Sivaji, et al -- doing to become icons in the mould of Rajnikanth?

Scroll down to know what they are busy with















TRYING TO WAKE UP TO COMPETITION

THE KING AND THE EMPEROR OF INDIAN CINEMA -- AMITABH BACHCHAN AND RAJNIKANTH -- TO ACT TOGETHER IN A TAMIL FILM

It will take a while for the legends of Indian cinema Amitabh Bachchan and Rajnikanth to decide who is the King and who is the Emperor of Indian Cinema. But, before that both of them have decided to act together in a Tamil film. Says Amitabh Bachchan, "The producer of Sivaji bought the rights of a film of mine that had closed shop due to financial constraints. In return, I was required to work as a guest in the film being made with Rajnikanth. That's how it happened. And, thank God it did."

Explaining how he had done a guest role in one of Rajnikanth's Hindi films, Amitabh recalls, "I remember Rajni starred in the Hindi film Andha Kanoon which had me in one of the most dynamic guest appearances of my life."

Wow! Good times are ahead for Indian cinema. And what should the director name the film? KING EMPEROR?

AMITABH'S VERDICT: RAJNIKANTH IS THE LARGEST,THE BIGGEST AND TRULY THE BOSS OF INDIAN CINEMA

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan says that if at all there is an Emperor of Indian Cinema, that Rajnikanth trule deserves the title. "He is the largest, the best and truly the boss," says Rajnikanth.

Amitabh says he is no match for Rajnikanth, the legendary actor from South India, whose film Sivaji: The Boss opened to a rousing reception all over the world, and, consequently, breaking all records. The film has evoked so much curiosity in recent times that whoever was worth their salt was interviewed by all the mainstream television channels and the print media in the country and abroad. Especially in South East Asian nations like Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, China and Japan, it has generated a debate that is hitherto unknown in the Indian film industry.

Not naturally, Amitabh Bachchan relegates himself and crowns Rajnikanth as the ONLY EMPEROR OF INDIAN CINEMA. In an exclusive interview to The Times of India, Amitabh said, "Rajni is phenomenal. The largest, the best and truly the boss. It is ridiculous to compare me to him. His following outside of Tamil Nadu is incomparable. Don't believe a word of this King and Emperor thing (Rajni has told NDTV on the eve of the release of Sivaji, that 'If I am King, Amitabh Bachchan is the Emperor'.) We all know that he is the Emperor. I abhor epithets, but for him I will make an exception, for he is truly exceptional."

Showering praises on Rajnikant, Bachchan said, "His modesty is legendary. His simplicity in his existence and in his demeanour is also legendary. "

And Bachchan doesnt't stop at that. He says, "Look where he came from and what he has become. Sheer hard work, talent and the belief that he could do it… and he did! Such a fantastic example for any youth in any part of the world. Despite his extraordinary career he has remained the simple down–to-earth person that he was when he started off. All his people around him are friends who were with him when he was a nobody."

Amitabh recalls the fond memories he had with the legendary star from Tamil Nadu, Rajnikanth, "Do you know, a Fiat he had bought when he attained his early success still remains with him and he only uses that car to date? He's a humble human being and a caring and considerate co-star. Rajni is terrific company on the sets and a fine gentleman. He's religious, traditional and charitable. And most importantly, he and his equally modest wife have brought up their two daughters well. His daughters are a reflection of him. For me, the way your offspring have turned out are the truest reflection of your achievements."

Well said, Amitabhji, we truly love your humility too.

SHREYA REAPS A WINDFALL OF OFFERS FROM THE TREMENDOUS SUCCESS OF SIVAJI: THE BOSS

If at all anyone is reaping a windfall from the success of Sivaji: The Boss, it is Shreya. She is hogging all the limelight from the filmmakers in South India. Till now, she hardly had any films on hand in the south, none whatsoever in Telugu. But, now this babe is surrounded with offers left, right and centre we hear. And she has a problem of plenty thanks to her mod look in Sivaji, which has done wonders for her image. She should thank Aishwarya and Rani Mukerji for her newfound popularity in Sivaji. Because the roles initially went to them, and only after they rejected that Shreya was cast opposite Rajnikant. And what a way to step into the shoes of the Bollywood babes. All the best Shreya. You now have the option of demanding your pound of flesh. And a fat one at that.

WANNA KNOW WHY RAJNIKANTH IS THE BIG BOSS OF INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY? READ ON

He is revered by the people, adored by filmgoers, and deified by his fans. He has fan clubs in more than a dozen countries in the world; his films are a rage in south-East Asia, especially Japan and China, and his latest film was released in some ten countries. What makes Rajnikant, who has changed the definition of a filmi hero, a huge phenomenon that has the nation go bonkers whenever his film releases?

"Style, style and only style," says Sreedhar Dorairaj, a senior business development executive in an IT company. "It might look funny for people who don't know him. But, he is famous the world over for his style."

Style is an understatement for his gimmicks like throwing a cigarette in the air and lighting it midway, his quick gun moves, his unique way of brushing his hair, and his ability to shuffle the things in his hand in rapid succession. "They may be small things, but they have a huge impact on the audience," says Dorairaj.

Abhishek Shetty, general manager in a hotel, feels that Rajnikant "creates an impression" whenever he appears on the screen. "His gestures like the way he puts his shawl, movement of his hands, wearing goggles, and his unique gait during the opening scene of the movie make people go crazy."

In fact, so popular has he become for his handling of the gun, that one of the music channels had a promo for its regional programmes, titled Quick Gun Murugan. Explains Anand Vishnu, an entertainment journalist, "Rajnikanth has a seasoned but bizarre style that every kid on the streets loves to imitate. Besides his unique style, he also has an amazing screen presence that makes him an irreplaceable icon."

But, it is too simplistic an explanation for his legendary status in the Indian film industry today. It's true he owes his meteoric rise in the '80s to his gimmicks. But, gimmicks alone cannot explain his larger-than-life persona that puts him miles ahead of his colleagues in the film industry.

Says Sunitha Chowdhury, a film journalist from Hyderabad, "All this talk about style and gimmicks is a thing of the past. Only people who haven't watched him closely attribute his unusual popularity to gimmicks. On the contrary, Rajnikant has carefully cultivated an image to ensure a place in the hearts of the people."

In a word, Rajnikant has transformed himself from an angry young man, bashing up the baddies in the 80s, to the comic superstar of the 90s and 2000s with his brand of humour. And, when he digs into his aggresive side, his one-liners deliver such a punch that they reverberate in the theatre with the background music giving it the right effect, sending tremors amlong the baddies. And so popular are they that they echo in the minds of the people, years after the film is released, whenever they talk about Rajnikant or his films.

What lends the punchlines such a mesmerising effect is that some of them are intended to be political missiles like the one from Padayappa, reportedly aimed at the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa. Similarly, the one-liner 'Nobody will know when I will arrive, or how I will arrive, but I will arrive when I ought to arrive' was meant to ward off the speculation of his entry into politics. In an industry that is closely associated with politics, Rajnikant had made the most of the people's political awareness. And soomed his way to the top!

THE SECRET OF RAJNI'S POPULARITY IS IN THE PUNCH LINES

* Naan solrathaiyum seiven, sollathathiyum seiven. (I will do what I say, I will also do what I don't say)
-- Annamalai (1992

* Naan oru dhadavai sonna nooru dhadavai sonna madhiri ( If I say it once, it's like saying it a hundred times)
-- Basha (1995)

* Naan eppa varuven, eppadi varuvennu yarukkum theriyadhu, aana varavendiya neratthil correct-aga varuven (Nobody will know when I will arrive, or how I will arrive, but I will arrive when I ought to arrive)
-- Muthu (1995

* Andavan solran. Arunachalam seiran (God orders, Arunachalam follows)
-- Arunachalam (1997

* En vazhi – thani vazhi (My way is the highway)
-- Padayappa (1999

* Khatham, gatham (The past is past)
-- Baba (2002

* Laka, laka, laka
-- Chandramukhi (2006).

* The latest to tease the audiences is 'COOL' from Sivaji: The Boss

(Courtesy: Pune Times)

YOU HAVE SEEN SIVAJI: THE BOSS, NOW LISTEN TO WHAT DIRECTOR SANKAR HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE FILM

RAJNIKANT'S SIVAJI: THE BOSS GETS THE BEST EVER RATING FROM THE PRINT MEDIA

They broke pumpkins to ward off evil eyes, lit camphor to perform aarti and bathed gigantic cut-outs of Rajnikant with hundreds of litres of milk. As crackers burst incessantly, the Tamil superstar's fans exhibited their joy by distributing sweets.

Film buffs in Tamil Nadu gave a rousing yet traditional welcome to "the boss's" latest avatar as Sivaji, the one-man demolition squad against black money, in his newest offering, Sivaji: The Boss, which had a global release on Friday.

"It was great to watch Rajni. I enjoyed Sivaji thoroughly. Though it's long (3 hours and 6 minutes), it never bored me even for a second," said Chennai Corporation mayor M Subramanian.

For the most expensive film ever made (Rs 95 crore) in the history of Indian cinema, Sivaji's first two days' bookings in just Chennai crossed Rs 3 crore. "It's a smash hit. With such response, it'll have a long run. Our investment will bring back good returns," said C T Valliapan, owner of Kamala Theatre. In Chennai, the film had a 16-screen opening. "We're housefull for the next 14 days," he said.

As is the case with every Rajni film, Sivaji's story too is not thick plot. It goes like this: Sivaji (Rajnikant) is a US-based software professional who returns to India to work in his native land. A socialist and do-gooder, he tries to establish a university and hospital with his own money. His aim is not to profit; but, give free education, treatment and employment opportunities to the poor.

The Indian Robinhood, in turn, uses the entire money for the welfare of the poor and needy. Rajni fan Valliappan is certain the actor has replicated his old magic yet again. "It has the production standards of a Hollywood film in terms of grandeur and technical value," he said.

R Pandirajan, a call centre employee, who is not a Rajini fan, said he wasn't disappointed. "It has all the ingredients — comedy, action, punch, dialogue, all Rajni style." But, who will fight the touts selling tickets for Rs 1,000?

(Courtesy: The Times of India)

RAJNIKANTH FANS TO SHAVE THEIR HEADS TODAY AS A MARK OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE RELEASE OF SIVAJI: THE BOSS

Die-hard fans of Tamil superstar Rajnikanth said they would tonsure their heads as a symbolic gesture to celebrate the successful release of his latest film Sivaji: The Boss across Karnataka.
"We will be holding a six-hour function on Sunday, where fans from across the state could come and shave their heads as a symbolic gesture," said Guna, a small time businessman and a die-hard Rajnikanth fan. "We have arranged for five barbers to conduct the tonsuring ceremony and we expect over 100 fans to come and participate in the event," he said.
"We are Rajnikanth's die-hard fans but we are quite poor and cannot afford to throw a lavish party to celebrate the event. Hence, we have decided to offer our thanksgiving in this symbolic fashion," he said, while referring to the fact that Rajnikanth.
Guna said he had managed Rs 35,000 from his personal savings, and spent it on preparing a 125-feet hoarding, which is currently hoisted in Ulsoor. The poster carries some scenes from the film.
The film, which was released in 13 theatres across Karnataka, was off to an eventful start with fans holding a procession and pouring milk over the posters of the actor.
At Inox theatre in the city, fans spilled outside the theatre singing Vaji Vaji, Sivaji, a song from the film. A fan, who came to the theatre at 3.30 am to get a ticket, said, "It was worth all the wait."

RAJNIKANTH AND NAYANATARA SING AND DANCE THEIR WAY TO GLORY IN SIVAJI: THE BOSS

TAKE A DEKKO AT SOME OF THE FABULOUS PHOTOGRAPHS FROM SIVAJI: THE BOSS

A COLLECTION OF SOME OF THE FABULOUS PHOTOGRAPHS FROM SIVAJI: THE BOSS. SIT BACK AND ENJOY

SHRIYA IS RAVISHING IN SIVAJI: THE BOSS

It was a double bonanza for Shriya Saran in Sivaji: The Boss. For, she gets instant recognition in Tamil film industry, where she is relatively new and also revives her flagging fortunes in the Telugu film industry. Shriya plays the role of a good-hearted village belle in the film. And she plays it to perfection. And she has some livewire scenes with Rajnikanth, where not only comedy but also pathos is revealed. What more, the film has some of the best songs and Shriya being the heroine, gets to hog the limelight in all of them barring one, where Nayanatara gets to swing her hips with Rajnikanth. And Shriya, we must say, is absolutely ravishing in the film. She gets to wear different costumes, display different body languages, and simple wows the audiences with all of them. What adds charm to her role is the way Shriya matches step for step a la Sridevi in the songs: Aaku chatu pinde tadise (from Vetagadu), Nee kallu chebutunnayi nanu preminchanani (Premabhishekam), and Abbabee tiyyanee debba (Jagadeka Veerudu, Atiloka Sundari) which were recreated for fun effect in Sivaji. While Rajnikanth stole the limelight in these songs, Shriya didn't lag behind either. The theatres were inundated with whistles when the duo stepped in tune to the songs.

Hope her career which is taking a nosedive will look up to the skies with Sivaji.

YOU CAN'T STOP THE RAJNI JUGGERNAUT! SIVAJI ROLLS ON MAJESTICALLY INTO THE AUDIENCES' HEARTS

If wishes were horses, Rajnikanth would ride off to the Himalayas and take sanyas. Seriously. We're not joking. For the expectations from him are so mindbogglingly huge, that even if gives the best of the best hits, it is not enough. The discriminating audience and the critics want even more. A superlative verdict. A perfect work of art. But, sadly, only plastic things are perfect, while living things look good with their little imperfections.

Take, for example, Sivaji: The Boss, which was released with much fanfare today. It has all the ingredients, and in the right doses, to call it a superhit. But, no, the critics, say, the first half is a little slow, the dialogues are a little drab, A R Rahman's background music is unimpressive, and there is no punch in Rajni's dialogue delivery. What crap! These are the same guys who will have names for a perfect piece of art like the Taj Mahal, too.

Like all his earlier films, Rajnikanth seeks to play the good samaritan to the core. And so, this NRI, who earns loads and loads of money, Rs 250 crore to be precise, wants to spend it on charity by constructing hospitals and educational institutions to offer quality education to the poor and the needy -- all for free.

But will the education mafia allow him to do that? Definitely, not. Because it will deal a deathly blow to their money making institutions. So headed by Suman, the godfather of the education mafia, they gang up to ensure that his plan is nipped in the bud. And how do they do it? With the help of politicians and the bureaucracy. Director Shankar, in his own unique style, exposes the corruption that is eating away the innards of our political system and lays bare the politician-bureaucrat nexus.

Shankar paints a realistic picture of how anyone who wants to do good in the society, however big or mighty he might be, without whetting the appetites of the ruling class, is bound to end up like paupers. It is only the blood-sucking, power-hungry, money-minded people who survive in the country. And this explains why the politician-bureaucrats-contractors nexus still rules the country. So, Rajnikanth too loses his all in his attempt to provide social infrastructure. Predictably, the interval follows.

How Rajnikanth picks up the gauntlet and gives the bad guys a taste of their own medicine is the crux of the remaining part of the story. And, once the curtains go up after the interval, the film picks up momentum with the Rajni's trademark quips, witty dialogues and his unique mannerisms. And director Shankar rivets our attention with gusto. And only a director of his calibre could have been able to pull off an impossible coup as Sivaji: The Boss.

The film has the right mix of entertainment with Shreya oozing the much-needed oomph to make the audiences go bonkers. She looks great and exudes an aura that will be remembered in the South Indian film circles for some time to come.

Like all his films, Rajnikanth has a too has a cool dialogue in Sivaji, too. And that is COOL. And when he says it in his typically naughty way to taunt the baddies, it is a sight to watch. The way Rajni plays on the chewing gum is hilarious and drives the fans crazy.

Rahman delivers a classy concoction and some of the songs, especially the one starring Nayanatara is bound to be popular.

A COOL movie to the core, if it sags in its enthusiasm, it is only because you are watching it with blinkers on: that is the expectations, I've been talking ablout. And if you go to watch Sivaji with such an attitude, you are bound to make it a miserable experience. Otherwise, it is a wonderful film by all standards. Don't miss it for anything in the world.

That guy Vivek will have you in splits. And when he is in Rajni's company, which he always is throughout the movie, it is a double treat. And for the critics, I have only one advice. Go take a walk!!

If you haven't watched Sivaji, watch the trailer at least, it is fun

YOU CAN'T HAVE ENOUGH OF RAJNIKANTH: THE BOSS OF INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY

YOU CAN'T HAVE ENOUGH OF RAJNIKANTH: THE BOSS OF INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY

THE MANY MOODS AND MOVES OF SIVAJI

HEADLINES OF THE DAY

* Here's good news for Chiranjeevi's fans. The megastar's most-awaited film, Shankardada Zindabad, is releasing on June 28

* Similarly, Venkatesh's Tulsi has been scheduled for September release

* Everyone is eagerly awaiting the release of Rajnikant's Sivaji. While movie goers have to wait for another two weeks to see Rajnikant in action, Kalaidar TV has bought the exclusive telecast rights of Sivaji

* The title of D Rama Naidu's film has been announced -- it is called Bhale Jodi