| Is
Shankar crippling Sivaji? |
|
|
|
Superstar
Rajinikanth usually gives a break of at
least a year between two films. But this
time, he chose to announce Sivaji even when
Chandramukhi was chugging along nicely in
the race to box office success. While this
raised many eyebrows, Rajini’s close
sources stated that he did so to mainly
pacify his fans. The fans wanted him to
make an announcement about his political
intentions especially after Vijayakanth
launched his own party. But, when thalaivar
postponed the decision, they were vexed.
So, he declared the film just as some consolation
to the fans. While it did have the desired
effect, it seems that Rajini who always
knows the pulse of his fans and does everything
to keep them happy, has turned away this
time on another issue. |
|
|
Fans
unaware of the proceedings
From the day of announcement itself,
fans have started discussing about
Sivaji. Their discussions centred
around the story, cast, songs and
the looks of their thalaivar. Sivaji
has been generating such curiosity
ever since it was announced. Besides
superstar himself, the big banner,
big ticket director and other hot
shot technicians of Tamil cinema are
associated with the film and therefore
all eyes are on the project. Every
minute move with respect to the film
has been avidly followed. |
|
|
Right
from the choice of the team down to the
locations, there was widespread speculation
among fans at every stage. Such speculations
were floating around mainly because not
much was being divulged to the press and
other media persons.
After the first set of launch stills and
a promo ad the Sivaji unit closed the doors
to the outside world. Shooting is progressing
at brisk pace and fans are restless because
they do not know what is going on. |
|
First
leak
When Sivaji shooting was held at Chennai
Central station a few months ago,
an eveninger carried the shooting
spot photographs which created tremors
in the production house. As a result,
security at the shooting spot was
tightened up and the director and
the producer had put in strict measures
to prevent any kind of personal recording
by individuals who stood as bystanders
during shooting here. Even mobile
phones were banned at the spot.
In such a scenario, another set of
shooting stills were leaked and we
were the first to provide those image
gallery photos. But when AVM Productions
requested us, we removed those images
immediately. Many magazines later
published those stills and the producers
requested that no further stills from
the movie should be published in any
form. |
|
|
|
|
Exposed
Spain episode
Now an interesting incident has happened
during the unit’s recent visit
to Spain for shooting a song. Rajini
was quite relaxed as he was not being
mobbed by hysteric fans. He did not
have hordes of people jostling about
to get a glimpse of him. At the location,
there was a crowd of pedestrians watching
the shooting. For them, it was their
first experience of how an Indian
film song is shot. Some of them shot
the scenes on their mobile phone cameras. |
|
|
One
gentleman took in scenes that were shot
that day on his personal camera which showed
Rajini’s personal style statement
for the film. He also took a photograph
of him and Rajini together. |
|
He
uploaded it on his personal blog site
and lo and behold, it received unprecedented
hits that day. Rajini’s fans
site also carried the images which
spread like wild fire or should we
say Spanish bull in a china shop?
Fans just lapped up the stills that
they were yearning to see. When news
reached Chennai about this development,
the producers did nothing. Fans site
was requested to remove all the images
it had uploaded and given links. And
one of the assistant directors of
Sivaji was made to contact the Spanish
gentleman and he was also requested
to remove the stills from his blog. |
|
|
|
|
He
was quite surprised about all the
ado surrounding the issue. He heeded
to the request of the Sivaji unit.
He raised a valid point by saying
that any film gets publicity only
when people know how it is being made
and what are the things that go into
the movie. There is no need to maintain
suspense and even if the producer
and director want the surprise element,
just a few stills do not make much
difference. People do not stay away
from a film merely because of its
stills. |
|
|
It
is another story that the news hungry film
journals in Tamil Nadu are carrying those
images now and come up with exclusive cover
stories on those stills. |
|
For
whom is the Sivaji being made?
The question that fans are raising
is: for whom is the film being made?
It is the fans who make or mar a film.
In the case of Rajini, expectations
about his new look and style are high
especially after the runaway hit of
Chandramuki. They point out that during
the making of Chandramukhi, there
were friendly vibes and the media
was not shunned. The producers did
keep certain things under wraps even
then. |
|
|
|
But
this time, the producers and director have
joined hands in forbidding the media. In
that case, the fans are furious that the
film is probably meant only for Shankar
and AVM. Would it be enough if they alone
watched the movie? Would it be fine if the
people forgot about the film and at the
time of release there was just enough enthusiasm?
Besides, in Chennai their controls could
work but once they step out of the country,
such silly attempts do not work. Fans need
to know the latest development on the film
especially because Tamilians now live in
all corners of the world and a majority
of them are die-hard Rajini fans. Would
it not be rude on them to deprive them of
this happiness? |
|
|
Boss
is not there
At the time of the launch
itself, Sujatha who is also the dialogue
writer for the film had suggested
launching a website to give wide coverage
to the happenings in the making of
the film. The site is still in making
and frustrates those who try to log
on (www.sivajitheboss.com). If the
site was launched but not updated
what is the use? There is also another
thought that Shankar and the AVM family
would have planned a grand marketing
blitzkrieg once the film reaches near
completion. |
|
|
Then,
the press and other media would be feted
and treated to all inside information. This
suspense would then be built up at the time
of release. It is the ploy used by marketing
gurus called the
‘teasers’ technique. |
|
Shankar
– too cautious?
There
is also the fact that Shankar is a
tech-savvy director and he could have
some dazzling technical elements in
the film. He could be wary about how
the fans would react to such a thing,
if they felt that it overshadowed
their thalaivar? He could be keeping
everything under wraps just to keep
everyone guessing. The producers have
handed over all the responsibilities
to the director and they are only
keen on the production side. This
probably made Shankar doubly cautious
about his responsibilities in the
project? |
|
|
|
|
Ok
for X. Not for Rajini
We have already said this and we do
not mind saying it again. As long
as it does not disrupt or disturb
the film’s making and within
the confines of responsible reporting,
the public needs to know how a film
is being made. In Hollywood, several
short strips on the making of a film
are made regularly. Why even Kamal
Hassan makes sure that his movie stills
are given enough to media each time
and a separate cd is given to each
publishing and media house. |
|
|
Therefore,
this attempt to maintain secrecy about Sivaji
is quite surprising especially in this age
of rapid communication. Many contend that
it is the will of director Shankar that
it should be this way. Maintaining secrecy
about some x actors’ film can be positive.
But it is not wise in a Rajini’s movie
since it is being discussed by millions
daily. Shankar believes in maintaining exclusivity
but Rajini fans think of their thalaivar
as one of their own. So, fans complain that
Shankar’s stubborn attitude in this
regard could backfire. Relax, Mr. Shankar,
we would definitely back you. So, please
give positive consideration to the murmur
heard in media circles over your stubborn
attitude. If you stretched a rubber band
too much, it would snap. Remember the Baba
fiasco? |
|
