The Periya Thalaivar (the Big Boss).. *(6/26/2007)* *Sivaji is the boss in Delhi too! *
*PTI* NEW DELHI: The *Periya Thalaivar* (the Big Boss) of Tamil cinema Rajnikant has created a record of sorts, his phenomenal popularity spilling out from the southern belt and sweeping the capital if the number of theatres screening his latest blockbuster is any indication. *Sivaji-The Boss* which was released in only two multiplexes in Delhi and one in Gurgaon last week is now being screened in more than 12 halls across the capital. Shalu Sabharwal, vice president, sales and marketing, PVR Cinemas says "It is the huge demand from the audience that prompted us to release *Sivaji* in more halls. The film is really good. I watched the film and liked it very much." Produced at a whopping 90 crores, *Sivaji*, the most expensive Indian film was in news for quite some time and analysts point out that the coverage given to the film by the North Indian media has played a pivotal role in its huge success here. Cutting across language barrier North Indians too are coming in large numbers to catch the action. Even though the film is being screened without subtitles the non-Tamilian audience is not missing much. Some scenes of the film were shot in Chhattarpur and R K Puram areas. "I remember Rajanikant fans flocking in from different parts of the capital during the film's shooting here," says M Natesan, general secretary of the Tamil Youth Cultural Association, a wing of Delhi Tamil Sangam. "Almost all of the 11 lakh Tamilians in Delhi have watched the film in the first week itself" he adds. The antics of style *mannan*, king of style, Rajanikant seems to have gone down well with the North audience. "Rajanikant is a phenomenon. There is a sizeable chunk of fan following for the star in North India too" says PVR's Shalu. Moreover the lacklustre performance of the much anticipated film *Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom* has added to the success of *Sivaji*, she adds. The story of *Sivaji-The Boss* revolves around Sivaji (Rajani), an NRI computer wizard, who comes back to his homeland with a dream to set up free educational and medical institutions. He has to confront the vile ways of a scheming politician, Adhiseshan (Suman) who creates all sorts of problems for him and even manages to turn * Sivaji* into a pauper. How *Sivaji* rises from the ashes and metes out his revenge is all what the film is about. Vinod Babu, MD, Inox, Chennai says "The combination of Rajanikant, director Shankar and A R Rahman had made *Sivaji-The Boss* the most anticipated film of the year. And it has lived up to the hype." The film has been released in 20 theatres including multiplexes in Chennai alone. It has registered the biggest ever opening for any Tamil film. "It is still very early to say whether *Sivaji* will surpass the record of Rajani's prior release *Chandramukhi* which is still running successfully after 800 days of its release" Babu says. "Sivaji has registered 80 percent collection in the very first week of its release" says Ashish Saxena, COO, films division, PVR Cinemas. "Owing to its good show we have increased the number of screens and number of shows in the northern region" he adds. The overwhelming response to the film is also viewed as an opening up of the North Indian viewers to the films from South. "If films like *Sivaji* comes we will certainly consider releasing it in Delhi" says Shalu. "*Sivaji* has come as a great recognition to the iconic star whose fan following cannot be matched by any other actor in the world. This film has compelled the sceptical audience of North India to stand up and take notice of this star, Rajanikant, and give him his due that was long eluding him" says Natesan Source : http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEL20070624032245&Page=E&Title=Startrek&Topic=-497
