Rana team met the press on the evening of 29th April to give the basic details of the film. At this press meet director KS Ravikumar, actress Deepika Padukone, Soundarya Rajinikanth, cinematographer Rathnavelu and art director Rajeevan were present. Rajinikanth was also to attend this meet but as he was admitted to hospital following uneasiness, he had to miss it.

KS Ravikumar said, “This press meet is a result of impromptu planning by Rajini sir. We planned this only last night as he felt that talking to the press and providing basic details about the film will be a good idea. We sat all night and Rajini sir invited everyone over phone at that odd time so that they can make it to the meet. Again, early morning we had to do the pooja and can a few scenes. People were pampering him with food and he ended up eating more than required and that resulted in vomiting. That is why he is in the hospital and there is nothing to worry for he will be home tonight. I apologize for his absence”

After clearing the air about the Superstar’s health the director spoke about the movie, “As per schedule the shooting of Rana will go on for 220 whole days and the movie will release in 2012. AR Rahman will be composing music and he has given us six tracks. One of the songs was shot today. The movie is set in the 17th century but it does not have any relation with Soundarya’s animation film ‘Sultan- The warrior’. Deepika Padukone has been extremely cooperative at the shooting today and I am very happy to have chosen her. I hope she continues to offer this co-operation until the very end for the movie to shape up well. Rajinikanth plays three roles in this film but he will appear in innumerable get-ups. He will be paired with two more ladies but we have not rounded off them yet and work is going on in full swing to confirm that soon.”

As the press was reveling with the Rana news, actress Deepika Padukone clad in beautiful red saree and golden choli said a few words. She gushed that it is great to be working in a Tamil film and that too with big and successful people like Rajinikanth and KS Ravikumar. She confessed that she herself had doubts if she could carry off the 17th century look but she is now convinced that she can, for her costumes, make up and look have been devised with great care.

Superstar’s daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth who will be the technical director of Rana spoke next. She said that ‘Sultan-The warrior’ is her brain child and Rana has no similarities to it. Answering questions about Sultan being shelved Soundarya clarified that the project is very much happening but is taking a lot of time. She said she will be simultaneously working on Sultan. She also added that ever since she saw full length 3D animated films, she has wanted to make one and to make one like that in Tamil it definitely needs the pull that her father Rajinikanth has that will draw the audience.

The press meet was a very informative session where all questions and speculations were answered. Though we would have loved to hear a few words from the Superstar, all we hope now is he should get well soon and enthrall us in Rana.