Shivaji, Rajni, and After!

Shivaji, Rajni, and After!

The dust has finally settled in Chennai after Shivaji’s release. The movie is still running in Chennai’s theatres after about fifty days. Tickets are easily available, and one wonders if the movie is a hit because of the clever marketing gimmicks and all the hype created by the media. If the local Tamil media cried themselves hoarse over the movie’s release, even the national media were not far behind. NDTV, CNN IBN and other channels had exclusive shows devoted to the film. The film , according to the news is running to packed houses in Mumbai, Chandigarh, New Delhi and other places in North India. Astonishingly enough with no subtitles! Apparently, even the non-Tamil audience have taken to the film in a big way!

I had accompanied my teenage daughter along with some other young people to the preview of the movie in Abriami Theatre. It was on the night previous to the movie’s release in the theatres. There was a big crowd, and everywhere in the premises which were colourfully decorated, there were huge banners and cutouts of the superstar. There was an air of underlying excitement which only a Rajni film could create. As we were waiting to go inside, there was a ripple of excitement. The Petti ( the box containing the film reels) had arrived. Since the owner of the Abrimai Theatre had taken the distribution rights of the film in Chennai, the Pettis which were to be sent to other theatres, had also arrived at that theatre. The Pettis were all placed before a giant idol of a Hindu God ( I have forgotten which) and pooja performed.

Then the Pettis were taken to the respective theatres amid cheers. We then went to the theatre and saw the movie. When we were coming out of the theatre at about 1 am, one auto driver with folded hands asked me respectfully “ Amma, How was the movie”? I really didn’t know what to reply. Recognising a Rajni fan and not wanting to hurt his feelings I replied “Not Bad”.

As far as the movie was concerned, it was very colourful. I found it almost garish in places. It was gaudily opulent. Rajni certainly looked better than he looked in his last film. But age does take its toll! All the special effects done cannot camouflage his real age. It is also stupid the way he mouths dialogues like “Cool”! again and again. Another dialogue which comes to mind is “ Gimme me a break yaa”. One can expect such dialogues only from teenagers, and not from a man nearly sixty! As my friend’s fifteen-year old son, who is a huge Rajni fan said sadly “Rajni has become old”. Rajni should start doing roles more becoming his age and stature. But one thing is very clear from Shivaji’s release. Tamil films have come of age at least in the field of marketing!