‘Rana’ director rubbishes shoot cancellation talks  

May 20, 2011

Announcement by director KS Ravikumar follows rumours about Rajinikanth’s health and his film’s fate. But can anybody stop the superstar of superstars?

Shukti Sarma

As we know, death recently had a 'near-Rajinikanth' experience. To the relief of countless fans, Indian film industry and the world at large (which is actually rotating on Rajini's fingertip), the beloved megastar is recovering. And like Rajini, his pet-project 'Rana', is also unstoppable.

'Rana' director KS Ravikumar has assured the nation that with Rajinikanth recovering fast, the film will be completed and released in 2012. "Any and every newscast that you might have witnessed in any media confirming the project dropped is, we are sorry to state, completely false. The shoot is just postponed temporarily awaiting his complete and total recovery", Mr Ravikumar said in a press release.

The day the film went on floor, the star was hospitalised on complaints of vomiting and exhaustion. He was discharged, but was again taken later to Ramachandra Medical Centre on 4th May for allergic bronchitis and fever.

As soon as news of Rajinikanth's illness surfaced, certain sections of media reported that the project had been shelved, while others said it's cancelled for the moment. Mr Ravikumar has rubbished all reports. He said that lead actress Deepika Padukone has her dates scheduled only after July, and the shooting has been temporarily put on hold due to Rajinikanth's illness.

 "Rana is Superstar Rajini Sir's dream project and his brainchild and hence he is very much keen on undertaking it and completing it successfully," Mr Ravikumar said. 'Rana', earlier titled 'Sulthan' is a joint production by Eros International and Ocher Studios, which is owned by the superstar's daughter Saundarya. In live-action animation format, Rajinikanth will essay a triple role in this movie.

Rumourmongers should have known better than to even dream of having the Rs150-crore 'Rana' shelved. Strictly on the basis of money, Rajinikanth is the highest earning Asian superstar after Jackie Chan. Bollywood has long given up dreams of producing 'the film with the biggest budget' since Rajini and director Shankar came up with 'Sivaji the Boss' in 2007 and then broke all records with 'Enthiran' or 'Robot' (in Hindi) which is estimated to be above Rs140 crore.

'Enthiran' set forth a plethora of commercial records, grossing Rs62 crore within three days of its opening. While the world gaped, all major distributors raced for getting the rights to the film. The producers, Sun Pictures, who own Sun TV, later claimed that 'Enthiran' alone had contributed to 30% of their yearly revenue.

Rajinikanth is rumoured to claim a share of the film profits of all films he has starred in. In 2009, he had a guest appearance in a Telugu movie, which flopped. Rajinikanth is said to have not charged a single rupee for that. We are talking about the Most Influential Indian in the Forbes list, 2010.

It will take all eternity to chart out the socio-psychological impact of the phenomenon called Rajinikanth. This is the person no Dravidian party dares defy, even though he is not associated with any.

It is unanimously known that Rajinikanth is indestructible. Heck, even an army of Rajinikanths can't stop Rajinikanth—as 'Enthiran' has shown! The rumourmongers might as well run for their lives because Rajinikanth is recovering. They must remember just one of the fictional (but entirely-possible) jokes about Rajini—oceans are salty because they are filled with tears that Rajini's enemies have cried.