MEERA JASMINE SAYS SHE IS NOT ACTING IN TELUGU FILMS, CHANGES HER MIND AND DECIDES TO PLAY SECOND FIDDLE

Only a couple of weeks back, Meera Jasmine bid goodbye to the Tamil and Telugu film industries and said she was happy doing films in her mother tongue, that is Malayalam. But, don't know what happened, the girl who claimed that she wasn't interested in doing films in these two languages, suddenly signed two films. Yesterday, we told you how she is acting as Rajasekhar's sister in a new film, and now comes the news that she is acting opposite Sivaji in a film to be produced by the makers of Satyabhama. Wonder, how their memory can be so weak so as to forget the vows they have taken. Or is it just a case of sour grapes? Anyway each to his own. Coming to the film, it will be directed by Raja Vannem Reddy. And the film will go on sets in August. And before she can rejoice, there is another heroine in the film, and she is yet to be finalised. Hope Jasmine won't be relegated to the second heroine status and the other Meera steal the limelight.

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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)

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."

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

DON'T BE FOOLED BY YOUR SUPERSTAR'S HOLIER-THAN-THOU ATTITUDE: IT IS JUST AN OUTWARD APPEARANCE

A Tollywood superstar, testifying in a minor breach of contract case, was asked to identify himself.
"I am the world's greatest actor," he told the court with a simple dignity.
One of his friends chided him the next day. "Don't you think that boost you gave yourself was a little too thick?"
"Usually I avoid any kind of self praise," said the film idol, "but remember, this time they had me under oath."

Sounds like a rib-tickling scene from a latest Telugu film. For, you would ask, which of the present day actors behave that way in real life. The point is: Who doesn't behave that way today? Every hero worth his name, from Chiranjeevi down to Sivaji, have their bloated egos plastered all over their body. It is only when they are in the company of crowds that they appear to be simple and sombre. But, in reality, they are a species the defies definition: they are crass, crude and clumsy to the point of hatred. You just need to spend a couple of days with a hero to know the kind of insecurity he suffers from. To get rid of which, he projects a larger-than-life to his fans, friends and the flunkeys who surround him. And the moral of the story is: like him, love his acting, but don't get fooled by his holier-than-thou attitude. Because he has none.

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

HEADLINES OF THE DAY

* Poori Jagannadh-Dil Raju's film has been titled Bangaru Lokam

* Rajnikant's Shivaji clears the censors, gets a U certificate

* The shooting of Dubai Seenu is finally over

* Sivaji's Nee Navve Chaalu is releasing on May 26

* Tamil director Shankar's Vaiyil screened at Cannes

* Yamadonga audio to release on June 15

* Venkat Akkineni will wield the megaphone very soon

* Veduka, starring Raja and Poonam Bajwa, is releasing on May 31

* Similarly, Srikanth's Operation Duryodhana is also releasing on the same day, May 31

* Venu Madhav's Bhukailas completes censor formalities