Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; November 21, 2014)

Rajinikanth fans in Mumbai are gearing up for big- time revelry with their star’s, nay, demigod’s film, Linga slated to release on December 12. Like every time, the fireworks will take place at Aurora Talkies in Matunga — a semi-permanent shrine to the actor.

Nambi Rajan, owner of Aurora Talkies, says, “At least five fan clubs have approached me to plan celebrations for Linga’s release. We are working out the modalities. On my part, I paint the cinema halls before the release of every Rajinikanth film.” He reveals that the film producers have been requested to share the poster design for creating a 70-feet cut out of the star. During the release of Robot four years ago, Rajinikanth fans bathed his 60-feet cut out with milk prior to the first day, first show in Mumbai.

Mario Mascarenhas, who heads a Rajini fan club in Mumbai, says: “We will take his digital print to the temple and then bring it back to the theatre. We will burst crackers and like every time, bathe his larger-than-life cut out with 300 to 400 litres of milk.”

Rajini fans will get to see him in flesh and blood in Mumbai after a three- year gap, says Rajan, adding: “Kochadaiiyaan, which released in May this year, did not receive a great response as it was an animation film. But Linga will present Rajini sir the way his fans like.”

While his film, Kochadaiiyaan, has been pushed again, his fan clubs in Mumbai are not really planning the regular ritual that precedes his releases…
Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; May 8, 2014)

Mumbai may not witness the frenzy that usually marks the release of a Rajnikanth’s film. And while his latest film, Kochadaiiyaan, has been postponed yet again — the 3D computer animated film will now hit movie screens on May 23 instead of May 9 — it is interesting to note that the film’s release has failed to create the mass hysteria often associated with a Rajini film. From anointing his posters to getting theatres whitewashed, his releases have been characterised by frenetic fan activity but things have been mellow this time.

Says a source, “People want to see Rajnikanth doing all his antics, but this time he is an animated character so the audience is wondering how much of him will be present in the film.”

Nambi Rajan, owner of Aurora cinema in Mumbai, says, “It was going to be a regular release. One of the reasons for it could be the fact that people want to see Rajinikanth in flesh and blood and this is an animated film.”

Preparations for the release of a Rajinikanth film usually start around 10 to 15 days in advance, with fans working round the clock as they plan celebrations surrounding the release. Before the release of such a film, a cutout of the legendary actor is kept ready. Early in the morning on the day of the release, the film print is taken to Matunga temple where a pooja is done and it is then brought back in a Rajini mannequin to the cinema hall. Mario Mascarenhas, one of the organisers of a Rajinikanth fan club, points out that the timing of this film’s release is causing problems. “Most people have gone to their hometown because this is vacation time. Rajinikanth’s films have never released during the summer holidays.” Around 70 to 80 banners from various Rajini fan associations would make their way to Aurora theatre before his film’s release but this time, not one such banner could be spotted yet at the cinema hall.

Star power
Before the 2010 film, Endhiran (Robot), released in Aurora, Rajini fans held paal kudam (bowls full of milk) on their heads and lead a procession to a neighbouring temple seeking God’s blessings for the star.

When the legendary actor faced health issues in 2011, his fans prayed fervently at temples, mosques and churches. Some fans also shaved their heads in penance.

To mark the US release of his film, Kuselan, 25ft tall and 14ft wide cutouts were shipped from Chennai to be displayed outside theatres. Rajini special M& Ms were given to candy lovers.







Rajini fan madness is yet to gain momentum as was evident from the scene outside Aurora theatre at Matunga on Wednesday, two days before his film, Kochadaiiyaan, was scheduled to release. Pics/Suresh K K

Why the delay?