Superstar Rajinikanth usually gives a break of at least a year
between two films. But this time, he chose to announce Sivaji even
when Chandramukhi was chugging along nicely in the race to box
office success. While this raised many eyebrows, Rajini's close
sources
stated that he did so to mainly pacify his fans. The fans wanted him
to make an announcement about his political intentions especially
after Vijayakanth launched his own party. But, when thalaivar
postponed the decision, they were vexed. So, he declared the film
just as some consolation to the fans. While it did have the desired
effect, it seems that Rajini who always knows the pulse of his fans
and does everything to keep them happy, has turned away this time on
another issue.
Fans unaware of the proceedings
>From the day of announcement itself, fans have started discussing
about Sivaji. Their discussions centred around the story, cast,
songs and the looks of their thalaivar. Sivaji has been generating
such curiosity ever since it was announced. Besides superstar
himself, the big banner, big ticket director and other hot shot
technicians of Tamil cinema are associated with the film and
therefore all eyes are on the project. Every minute move with
respect to the film has been avidly followed.
Right from the choice of the team down to the locations, there was
widespread speculation among fans at every stage. Such speculations
were floating around mainly because not much was being divulged to
the press and other media persons.
After the first set of launch stills and a promo ad the Sivaji unit
closed the doors to the outside world. Shooting is progressing at
brisk pace and fans are restless because they do not know what is
going on.
First leak
When Sivaji shooting was held at Chennai Central station a few
months ago, an eveninger carried the shooting spot photographs which
created tremors in the production house. As a result, security at
the shooting spot was tightened up and the director and the producer
had put in strict measures to prevent any kind of personal recording
by individuals who stood as bystanders during shooting here. Even
mobile phones were banned at the spot.
In such a scenario, another set of shooting stills were leaked and
we were the first to provide those image gallery photos. But when
AVM Productions requested us, we removed those images immediately.
Many magazines later published those stills and the producers
requested that no further stills from the movie should be published
in any form.
Exposed Spain episode
Now an interesting incident has happened during the unit's recent
visit to Spain for shooting a song. Rajini was quite relaxed as he
was not being mobbed by hysteric fans. He did not have hordes of
people jostling about to get a glimpse of him. At the location,
there was a crowd of pedestrians watching the shooting. For them, it
was their first experience of how an Indian film song is shot. Some
of them shot the scenes on their mobile phone cameras.
One gentleman took in scenes that were shot that day on his personal
camera which showed Rajini's personal style statement for the film.
He also took a photograph of him and Rajini together.
He uploaded it on his personal blog site and lo and behold, it
received unprecedented hits that day. Rajini's fans site also
carried the images which spread like wild fire or should we say
Spanish bull in a china shop? Fans just lapped up the stills that
they were yearning to see. When news reached Chennai about this
development, the producers did nothing. Fans site was requested to
remove all the images it had uploaded and given links. And one of
the assistant directors of Sivaji was made to contact the Spanish
gentleman and he was also requested to remove the stills from his
blog.
He was quite surprised about all the ado surrounding the issue. He
heeded to the request of the Sivaji unit. He raised a valid point by
saying that any film gets publicity only when people know how it is
being made and what are the things that go into the movie. There is
no need to maintain suspense and even if the producer and director
want the surprise element, just a few stills do not make much
difference. People do not stay away from a film merely because of
its stills.
It is another story that the news hungry film journals in Tamil Nadu
are carrying those images now and come up with exclusive cover
stories on those stills.
For whom is the Sivaji being made?
The question that fans are raising is: for whom is the film being
made? It is the fans who make or mar a film. In the case of Rajini,
expectations about his new look and style are high especially after
the runaway hit of Chandramuki. They point out that during the
making of Chandramukhi, there were friendly vibes and the media was
not shunned. The producers did keep certain things under wraps even
then.
But this time, the producers and director have joined hands in
forbidding the media. In that case, the fans are furious that the
film is probably meant only for Shankar and AVM. Would it be enough
if they alone watched the movie? Would it be fine if the people
forgot about the film and at the time of release there was just
enough enthusiasm? Besides, in Chennai their controls could work but
once they step out of the country, such silly attempts do not work.
Fans need to know the latest development on the film especially
because Tamilians now live in all corners of the world and a
majority of them are die-hard Rajini fans. Would it not be rude on
them to deprive them of this happiness?
Boss is not there
TAt the time of the launch itself, Sujatha who is also the dialogue
writer for the film had suggested launching a website to give wide
coverage to the happenings in the making of the film. The site is
still in making and frustrates those who try to log on
(www.sivajitheboss.com). If the site was launched but not updated
what is the use? There is also another thought that Shankar and the
AVM family would have planned a grand marketing blitzkrieg once the
film reaches near completion.
Then, the press and other media would be feted and treated to all
inside information. This suspense would then be built up at the time
of release. It is the ploy used by marketing gurus called the
`teasers' technique.
Shankar too cautious?
There is also the fact that Shankar is a tech-savvy director and he
could have some dazzling technical elements in the film. He could be
wary about how the fans would react to such a thing, if they felt
that it overshadowed their thalaivar? He could be keeping everything
under wraps just to keep everyone guessing. The producers have
handed over all the responsibilities to the director and they are
only keen on the production side. This probably made Shankar doubly
cautious about his responsibilities in the project?
Ok for X. Not for Rajini
We have already said this and we do not mind saying it again. As
long as it does not disrupt or disturb the film's making and within
the confines of responsible reporting, the public needs to know how
a film is being made. In Hollywood, several short strips on the
making of a film are made regularly. Why even Kamal Hassan makes
sure that his movie stills are given enough to media each time and a
separate cd is given to each publishing and media house.
Therefore, this attempt to maintain secrecy about Sivaji is quite
surprising especially in this age of rapid communication. Many
contend that it is the will of director Shankar that it should be
this way. Maintaining secrecy about some x actors' film can be
positive. But it is not wise in a Rajini's movie since it is being
discussed by millions daily. Shankar believes in maintaining
exclusivity but Rajini fans think of their thalaivar as one of their
own. So, fans complain that Shankar's stubborn attitude in this
regard could backfire. Relax, Mr. Shankar, we would definitely back
you. So, please give positive consideration to the murmur heard in
media circles over your stubborn attitude. If you stretched a rubber
band too much, it would snap. Remember the Baba fiasco?
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