‘Kuselan’: First Day, First Show!
‘Kuselan’: First Day, First Show!

Storm Rajnikanth has hit India, and it shows no signs of abatement. Cinemas of South India were besieged by Rajni fans, who sang, danced, howled, shrieked and shouted in absolute merriment.

Crackers were detonated and sulphur dioxide was religiously committed to the atmosphere. Milk, in gallons, was poured over the Superstar’s cut-outs. Marquee gates were destroyed and seats were stood upon.

A special screening was held for school students in Chennai.

Rajini’s magic works in ‘Kuselan’ too

CHENNAI: For a Rajinikanth film, the celebration at the release of Kuselan on Friday seemed a little low-key, but fans were evidently pleased with their thalaivar’s new film.

The usual Kollywood rituals, including pal abhishekams, bursting of crackers and dancing to fast-paced drum beats were all there, but in relatively small doses compared to the launch of other ‘superstar’ films. But a few cinemas conventionally known for celebrations still wore a festive look. With larger-than-life cut-outs of the actor put up all over, Albert theatre was surely the place to be for hardcore Rajini fans.

K. Viswanathan, a member of the Free Star Rajinikanth Fans’ Association in Otteri, who was busy moderating the crowd at the theatre, said: “In this film, thalaivar has played a very mature, age-appropriate role. The film highlights the beauty of friendship and has a very nice message.”

A. Dinesh Kumar, another film buff, said: “He has done something different in the last three films. In Chandramukhi, he played an unconventional role of a psychiatrist. Shivaji was a true Rajini film. In Kuselan again, he underplays.”

“There is not even one action sequence in the film. But he still pulls it off. That’s the Rajinikanth magic. The climax is very touching,” said Joseph Prasanna.

Fans also said actor Pasupathy’s performance was very impressive.

Interesting contrast

The scene at the not-so-far-away Woodlands theatre was an interesting contrast. Over 600 children from the Give Life Foundation saw the film specially screened for them by the Pyramid Saimira Group, the distributors. Along with the director of the film, P. Vasu, and cinematographer Arvind Krishna, Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi and Father Jegath Gasper, founders of Give Life, attended the special screening. Managers of most cinemas said all the shows were booked till Monday.

Rajnikant-starrer 'Kuselan' opens to a packed house

BANGALORE: The much-in-the-news Rajnikant-starrer , Kuselan, opened to packed theatres in Bangalore on Friday. The movie, that has the superstar in an extended cameo, hit theatres minus the trappings with which his Sivaji opened in 2007. Initial reports and reactions from fans suggest Kuselan is not the regular Rajni fare and showcases the actor more than the star.

A remake of Malayalam superhit Kadha Parayumbol, the movie has Rajni playing a superstar - with a different name, though - and traces his friendship with a village barber, played by Pasupathy.

Though the superstar appears in the movie for less than an hour, the producers have marketed it as a full-fledged Rajni movie, ensuring a massive opening.

Some hard-core fans, while acknowledging the 'different' attempt by the superstar, were left cold by the toned-down heroism. In Bangalore, some theatres reported fans walking out after the high-adrenaline introduction of the star, reflecting what they wanted from the movie.

The word, though, is that viewers are getting to see the actor perform - after a long time - without his famed, signature flamboyance. The final 20 minutes are also being appreciated for the high emotional quotient.

REAL DRAMA

For fans, it has been a long, unsure wait for the P Vasu directed movie after pro-Kannada organizations threatened to block its release in the state as a retort to 'derogatory' remarks made by the star against Karnataka on the Hogenakkal issue. Rajni's clarification on Thursday in this connection cleared the air for the release in Bangalore, across five multiplexes and about 10 other theatres.

Fans lined up at the cinema halls much ahead of the morning show and added to the celebrations by pouring milk on the actor's posters and thronging the halls with fullthrottle cheers. Most theatres have reported sold-out shows through the weekend.

Rajini's Kuselan in deep trouble

The Kannada organisations have decided to continue their protest agitation to block the release of Superstar Rajinikanth's new film Kuselan which is slated for release on August 1 in several centres of the state. Rajinikanth's letter to the president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce indicating that he is not in the habit of hurting feelings of the people and the film chamber should co-operate for the release of his film Kuselan has not convinced the leaders of the pro Kannada organisations.

Terming Rajini's letter as style king's new stunt, former legislators Vatal Nagaraj and Prabhakar Reddy alleged that the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has acted as brokers to the film's producers and distributors by allowing the free passage of the film's release. "This is not an apology letter.It is just an eye wash attempt by Rajinikanth to see that his film gets released without any problem. The fact is that Rajinikanth who was born and brought up in Karnataka has acted against the interests of the people of the state by stating that Tamil Nadu has the right to take up Hogenakal project. He has spoken harshly against the pro Kannada activists who are struggling to secure Kannada interests. We will not allow the release of the film in Karnataka come what may," said Vatal Nagaraj yesterday. Vatal Nagaraj addressed the press conference along with many leaders of pro Kannada organisations including the faction of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, which is spearheading the agitation to stall Kuselan's release in the state.

Narayana Gowda, the President of the militant Karnataka Rakshana Vedike said that Kannadigas are not fools to believe Rajinikanth who has perfected the art of double speak. "We wanted an apology from Rajinikanth. And an apology meant that Rajini should seek apology from all the five crore Kannadigas. For that he has to call a media conference and announce that he regrets for what he had spoken in Chennai on the day when the Tamil film artists had organised a protest rally. The KFCC is always acting against the interests of Kannadigas. We do not believe a letter to the President of the KFCC will dilute the feeling of hurt among Kannadigas. We are sure to block the release of the film in any part of the state," says Gowda.

And Gowda has made it another threat that if Rajini steps into the soil of Karnataka, he will be humiliated. "We are told he is coming here secretly for some of his personal work. If he publicly visits Bangalore, our volunteers are sure to question him about his remark on the Hogenakal issue," says Gowda.

However the distributors of the film in Karnataka were confident that the film will be released as scheduled. "The threat of protest was there even during the release of Rajinikanth's previous film Shivaji and even Kamal Hassan's previous film Dasavatharam. But both the films were released without any problems. We are sure that Kuselan would also be released on August 1," said an executive committee member of the KFCC.

Rajini pips Kamal for top spot

Dasavatharam' has successfully completed a 50-day run in over 500 screens across the globe. A technical marvel, featuring Kamal Haasan in ten different roles, has won appreciation from film-buffs all around the globe. The movie's good show at the box office has brought smiles on the face of its producer Aascar Ravichandran and director K S Ravikumar. 'Dasavatharam' topped the box office until Friday, but then with 'Kuselan' getting released, Kamal Haasan has been pipped by Rajinikanth straightaway. The big release of 'Kuselan' has reached the top slot as expected. The movie, released by Pyramid Saimira, has reported full houses everywhere. The phenomenal Rajini factor has worked wonders and Rajinikanth fans have ensured a fantastic opening for the movie. Moreover, the word-of-mouth publicity for the movie is also good. In the coming weeks, 'Kuselan' will undoubtedly reign supreme. A remake of the Malayalam hit 'Katha Parayumbol', it is directed by P Vasu and stars Pasupathy, Nayantara, Meena, Vadivelu, Prabhu alongside Rajinikanth.

Rajini on a sticky wicket' ]

Though most 'Rajini fans' celebrated the release of 'Kuselan', Rajinikanth's regret to the Kannada chauvinists for his remarks on the Hogenakkal issue has won him the wrath of many from the film industry. South India Film Artistes' Association president Sarath Kumar wanted to know why his friend (Rajini) regretted his speech and what he meant by saying 'he had learnt a lesson'. 'He must clarify his apology to the people of Tamilnadu who have made him the Superstar,' he said. Actor Sathyaraj said, "It is a disgrace not just to him but also to his fans. If Kannada organizations had threatened to stall the release of my movie in Karnataka, I would happily compensate my producers and distributors from my own pocket rather than apologize to them". Actor-director Vijaya T Rajendar said, 'Rajni wanted to showcase himself as a hero. But now he proved that he is a zero.'

Balachander comes in rescue of Rajini!

August 02, 2008

An event to honor the technicians of Kuselan financially, as promised by Rajini during the movie’s audio launch, was held today at the Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam. A total of Rs. 40 lakhs was distributed among the technicians, of which the superstar contributed Rs. 20 lakhs and the producers, the rest.

Addressing the occasion, Rajini announced that the financial assistance would continue in his future movies as well. He said that this has been discussed with Shankar, with whom he is working next, and his daughter Soundarya. He also explained his stand in the apology issue and stated that the whole issue was a lesson for him. “Had I mentioned that my remarks on the Kannadigas do not apply for people in Karnataka in general and only to the miscreants, this issue wouldn’t have cropped up,” Rajini clarified. K. Balachander, who also attended, spoke in the event and remarked that the issue was blown out of proportion unnecessarily. “I have been watching the issue for some time now and did not comment on it since I did not want to add fuel to the fire. In my opinion, Rajini did not apologize and has only expressed regret over the issue,” KB added. He also mentioned that since Rajini’s life is closely intertwined with the producers and people, it became necessary for him to issue such a statement. “Apologizing and expressing regret are two different things. I would appeal to friends of Tamil cinema not to build a dividing wall inside the community by raising such issues. Let the bygones be bygones,” he stated. KB added that at a time when Tamil talent is being receiving nationwide recognition, especially in Bollywood, it is essential that Tamil cinema maintains its unity.