| GETTING
READY FOR THE ENDHIRAN STORM! |
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Every time Sachin Tendulkar scores a run,
it is a new record. He holds all the batting
records in the world (almost), and so
obviously every step he takes is a new
frontier. Now, why would we be discussing
that here; because we have seen or are
about to see something very similar in
Tamil cinema. It last happened in 2007.
A movie released that swept so much at
the box office that it became a record
which many though could be paralleled
by the same team. Nothing could get as
big as this, however hard anyone tried.
You are right, we are talking about Sivaji.
The overpowering effect that it had on
the box office was there for everyone
to see, absolutely unprecedented. Now,
it is time for another round of such dominance
and for the first time since 2007, it
does look like the craze that was there
for Sivaji is gong to be equaled or even
bettered. Of course, we are not forgetting
a great landmark that did come to pass
in 2008 which too had a similar effect
on the industry. But, now it is time to
celebrate Superstar once again as he gets
ready to deliver his brand of entertainment
to his fans all over the world. Some might
point out to Kuselan as the last time
that Superstar was on screen, but that
was at best, a pretender to a real Superstar
flick, having only flashes of what Rajinikanth
would be on screen. |
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But, this time, it is not going to be any such thing.
It will be a full and throughout Superstar film helmed
by the man who redefined ‘larger than life’
from the day he entered cinema; and he still is making
it larger for Tamil cinema. So, what happens when
the king of grandeur joins the Mozart of Madras and
the undisputed Superstar of the industry; we get Sivaji.
And, what happens when the king of grandeur, Mozart
of Madras, Superstar and the publicity powerhouse
of Tamil cinema join hands; we get Endhiran. Yes,
if you thought Sivaji was big, you were wrong. To
put it in Shankar style. ‘You ain’t seen
nothing yet’. It is going to be bigger, it is
gong to be more exciting, it is going to be the biggest
thing that Indian cinema has ever seen; it is going
to be Endhiran – The Robot.
A Rajinikanth film is perhaps the best opportunity
for writers and media to go eloquent and find endless
superlatives because one can be sure that nothing
can go wrong, neither will there be a necessity to
find superlatives of a higher degree for other occasions.
A Superstar film is perhaps a writer’s license
for verbal diarrhea (with all kinds of superlatives;
that is). If you think that this is an overstatement,
then take a look at these facts.
150 crores or even higher, more than 2 years in the
making, Superstar, Shankar, AR Rahman, Aishwarya Rai
and Sun Pictures; you would have to be on another
planet to get a more powerful combination than this.
An audio launch that is set to be held this weekend
in Malaysia and one wonders where Shankar is planning
the premier. Why would Shankar and Sun Picture’s
have set off to Malaysia to launch the music? Well,
that is perhaps a statement of the scale on which
the film has been made and the international appeal
that Superstar has at present. We all know that his
films have been releasing in Japan for nearly 15 years
now and during the glory days of Sivaji there were
even a few voices which mentioned Africa as a possible
fan base for Rajinikanth. And, Endhiran, it is rumored
that, is all set to break all international barriers
that Tamil cinema has faced up to now. We are hearing
names such as China in the list of possible release
destinations; unheard of for Tamil cinema. Knowing
well that Sivaji had debuted inside the UK top 10
box office during its release, we can only imagine
the kind of effect that Endhiran is going to have,
especially if Sun Picture’s goes ahead full
steam with its promotional activities; at which is
has become an undisputed master at now. And, with
all these release centers, the number of prints too
will be huge. Trade analysts are talking numbers as
high as 4000 or even more. The exact number is not
clear at the moment; but whatever it is; it definitely
will be a record for Indian cinema.
And, analysts are also predicting landslide audio
sales once it is out on July 31. What an audio launch
function it is going to be. The guest list will be
huge no doubt. But, what we know for now is that a
video carrying the CM’s message will be screened
at the event. Other attractions include a special
performance by Silambarasan and many other events;
all this in Malaysia. This is definitely, the makings
of an unheard and unseen humungous phenomenon in Tamil
cinema. Get ready to be engulfed by the storm, it
begins on July 31 and hits the crescendo on September
3.
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