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Congress moves court against 'Sivaji: The Boss'
Chennai, Rajnikant-starrer Tamil film "Sivaji: The Boss", running to full houses, Monday attracted a second lawsuit, as a Congress activist sought a ban on the film, alleging it portrayed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party president Sonia Gandhi in poor light.Congressman M. Satyamoorthy, filed a public interest litigation before the Madras High Court. He said the film showed the Congress leaders "in the company of the villain" and that this was done "with intention to defame the Congress party and its leaders". On behalf of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, the petitioner claimed damages to the tune of Rs.500 million from producer A.V.M. Saravanan, director Shankar and star Rajnikant on the count of defamation.The petition said that the villain, Aadhikesavan, has a photograph on his table showing him in the company of Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi. The photograph is shown four times in the film, giving an impression that the villain was a member of the Congress party and that its leaders were supporting him, the petitioner said.The petition is likely to come up for hearing Tuesday.A city civil court had earlier issued notice to Shankar and three others after an assistant director moved the court saying the film was based on his story and that the producers had stolen it.Dudalai K. Jayarajadevan claimed that he had discussed the story of the film with Shankar's manager in 2005. He too wanted the screening of the film to be stopped.The film has been running successfully for three weeks.
 

Shooting for Rajni's 'Sivaji' nearing completion
By Chitra Prakash,

Chennai, Dec 6 The shooting for Rajnikant's next Tamil film "Sivaji" will be completed this week, exactly a year after it started.

"Sivaji" is expected to be the superstar's next blockbuster after "Chandramukhi". The film took Rajnikant from Chennai to Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mysore, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune and Spain as well.

 
Though the cost of its production has not been publicised, trade pundits say "Sivaji" can boast the biggest budget among all Rajnikant films as well as those produced under the prestigious AVM banner.

Producers claim that this is also the film for which Rajnikanth has shot the most number of days.

The editing, graphics and background music will be completed in about three months and the film should be ready for release by Tamil New Year in April.

"Sivaji" will be released simultaneously in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala as well as abroad. Over 500 prints of the film are being made to meet the anticipated demand. The music will hit the market before the release.

Rajnikant will head to Rishikesh for his usual pilgrimage-cum-holiday after the shooting, sources close to him said.
 

Rajnikant's 'Sivaji' is a bundle of secrets
By Chitra Prakash,

Chennai, Dec 1  One of the secrets about superstar Rajnikant's next film "Sivaji" has been given away. Others, however, remain. 

 
The launching date of the film, about which there was so much speculation in the industry and the media, is no longer a secret. The film, being made under the banner of AVM, was launched on Nov 28 at a simple function in the presence of selected invitees, including heroine Shriya and lyricist Vairamuthu. To be directed by Shankar of "Anniyan" fame, the film's story is closely guarded. 

Even Shriya chose to be tightlipped about the script. The actress, who has scorched the screen with rain scenes in "Mazhai" (a remake of Telugu "Varsham"), didn't reveal much except that she is honoured to be working with Rajnikanth. 

There have been reports that the film is about Rajni scouring the world for seven look-alikes, about whom he comes to learn. 

Shankar, who is said to have convinced Rajni with a "one-line" narration of the story, however, would neither confirm nor deny the reports. 

Another secret is Rajni's fees. While it is agreed that the fee is "astronomical" and would set a new record, reports of the quantum vary from Rs.100 million to Rs.250 million. 

The success of "Chandramukhi" at the box office has obviously done wonders to Rajni's career. 

The producers are also secretive about the cost of the film. Nobody in the industry, however, puts the cost at less than Rs.500 million. The rights of the film, meanwhile, have reportedly been sold already for an exorbitant price. 

Another classified detail is when the film will be released. While there is no word from the producers, it is expected that "Sivaji" will hit the screen in November 2006. 

Last but not the least, it is a secret whether the choice of the film's title has anything to do with Rajni's real name - Shivaji Rao Gaekwad. 

 
Tamil superstar Rajnikanth is 57
Chennai, Dec 12 Tamil superstar Rajnikanth, who commands a higher price than some Bollywood icons and whose latest film is running to packed houses even 600 days after its release, celebrated his 57th birthday Tuesday - with his family.

The superstar had issued a terse statement a few days ago saying that he did not want any pomp and splendour on his birthday and did not wish to meet any of his fans.

Such is the reclusive nature of the actor that even producer A.V.M. Saravanan - dubbed the movie mogul of the south - had to be content with sending a bouquet to the star's residence in the upscale Poes Garden locality of south Chennai.

"I live for the moment. I have no plans for tomorrow. I love good things in life and that is the way it will be till I pass away," Rajnikanth had said years ago when he was just stepping into super stardom - a philosophy he still holds.

Rajnikanth, whose mother tongue is Marathi, was born in Karnataka as Shivaji Rao. With very humble beginnings in life as a bus conductor, Rajni decided in the mid-1970s he would become famous by trying his luck in Tamil movies.

After a crash course in acting, Rajnikanth was introduced to the silver screen by K. Balachander to play an ageing husband of an unfaithful wife.

Such was his charisma that he upstaged the hero of "Apoorva Ragangal" (Rare Tunes) Kamal Hassan. It didn't matter he didn't speak Tamil properly - he still doesn't. But like the medieval Maratha hero, the celluloid Shivaji too managed to establish an empire in modern day Tamil Nadu.

Fans here copied every style of Rajni even when he played a villain for almost three years, in 20-odd movies.

The wheel has turned full circle and he is said to be playing himself in a movie aptly titled "Shivaji-The Boss" being directed by Shankar for Saravanan.

Not many beyond Tamil Nadu know that Rajni's smash hit a few years ago - "Muthu" - was dubbed into Japanese and became a super hit in the land of the rising sun as well.

Rajnikanth commands a price that is higher than Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan's and his last release in April 2005 - "Chandramukhi" - is running to packed houses here despite having completed 600 days in cinemas.

Little wonder, then, his fans lap it up when he romances women less than half his age - though Rajni is now a grandfather.

Rajnikant is 'Dancing Maharaja' in Japan
By Manish Chand,

Tokyo, Dec 14  Bollywood magic man Shahrukh Khan may be the best known Indian film icon in Europe, but in Japan it is Tamil superstar Rajnikant, popularly known as "Odori Maharaja" (The Dancing Maharaja) who has mesmerised the Japanese with his machismo and flamboyance.

"I am delighted to hear the popularity of Odori Maharaja among young people here. Our children were delighted to see Odori Asimo - the dancing robot!" Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in his historic address to a joint session of the Diet, the Japanese parliament, Thursday.

The moment he said that magic word "Odori Maharaja", Japanese parliamentarians let go of their fabled restraint and fastidiousness, and burst into a deafening applause.

Rajnikant exploded into Japanese consciousness when his popular film "Muthu" ran to packed houses in some theatres here a few years ago.

More applause followed when Manmohan Singh told his Japanese audience about the burgeoning popularity of Japanese cuisine in India. "I assure you that sushi and tempura are becoming popular in India!" he said.

The number of Indian restaurants in Japan has increased phenomenally, Manmohan Singh remarked proudly, underlining the new cultural camaraderie between India and Japan and the need for increasing people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

By mentioning Odori Maharaja in his speech on the importance of India-Japan relations in a new Asian century, Manmohan Singh underlined the importance of cultural diplomacy in bringing the peoples of two countries together.

The Indian Council of Cultural Relations, India's premier organ of cultural diplomacy, and The Japan Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday to improve cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Manmohan Singh and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe Thursday also launched the year-long Festival of India which will display vibrancy and creativity of Indian culture here.

The two countries also declared 2007 to be the India-Japan Friendship Year and the year of India-Japan Tourism Exchange. The two sides also hope to substantially increase air connectivity between them and promote tourism.

"I invite young and old Japanese to visit India and see for themselves the many splendours of ancient and modern India," the Indian prime minister said.

Japanese are eagerly waiting to have a glimpse of Rajnikant in his new film "Sivaji" - said to be the most expensive Indian film costing over $15 million - to be simultaneously released in Chennai, in southern India, and Tokyo.

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IANS