Rajinikanth avoids clash with Shah Rukh Khan

Rajnikanth may be the boss of all, but looks like the superstar is not willing to clash with Bollywood biggies like Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn at the box office.

According to reports, Rajinikanth's first release in two years and also his comeback project post his illness Kochadaiyaan, will now be delayed to avoid a showdown with Ajay's magnum opus Son Of Sardar and Shah Rukh Khan's Yah Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum. All the films were earlier slated to have a Diwali release this year.

Theatres all over Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and other parts of the South were already being booked in bulk for the film. However, the delay that was kept under wraps to avoid disappointing the superstar's fans is now out in the open.

A source said, "Rajini sir's South market is totally secure. In fact, when Kamal Haasan heard of Rajini ji's Diwali plans, he postponed the release date of his Hindi-Tamil-Telugu tri-lingual film. But then the news of Ajay Devgn-starrer being released during Diwali surfaced. Though, it in no way affects Rajini ji's Southern and overseas market, the Hindi version is bound to get affected."

Another source said, "Incidentally, Yash Chopra had already announced that he would be releasing his film during Diwali. Initially, Rajjnikanth's team was ready and willing to take on Ajay's film even in the Hindi belt. But now with Sonakshi Sinha's soaring popularity after Rowdy Rathore, it was felt that a Diwali release was just not practical."

Aamir khan wants Rajinijkanth on Dhoom 3

Buzz is that Bollywood perfectionist Aamir Khan wants superstar Rajinikanth on board Dhoom 3 in which he plays a baddie.

Deepika Padukone will now inspire one notch less envy in Tamil filmdom after reportedly losing one of her two roles opposite superstar Rajinikanth. She will be Rajini Sir's heroine in the upcoming movie, Kochadaiyaan, but possiblty not in historical action film Rana. Reports suggest that the makers of the film do not want to repeat the pair again for the movie.

"Deepika is already doing Kochadaiyaan with Rajini Sir. And we might not want to repeat the same pair immediately. But we will take the final call when the film's shooting resumes," said director K S Ravikumar.

This is the latest episode in Rana's beleaguered history. The movie was postponed indefinitely in April last year when Rajinikanth fell ill on the very first day of the shoot and had to be hospitalised. While Rana was put on hold, it's heroine Deepika managed to bag the role of Rajnikanth's leading lady in Kochadaiyaan, reported to be a 3D extravaganza on the story of an 8th century emperor.

Rana director K S Ravikumar confirms that he will resume shooting of the film after the release of Kochadaiyaan in November.

Some might say Deepika has come full circle, after replacing Katrina as the Kochadaiyaan heroine. (Read: Deepika Padukone to star against Rajinikanth in Kochadaiyaan ) All it needs now if for Kat to replace her in Rana.

Starring With Rajini… What Kamal Says

Kamal Haasan, during a recent interview to a national daily, was asked about the dream project – working with his best buddy Rajinikanth. To this, Kamal remarked that after paying their respective salaries, the filmmakers would not have much of the budget left over to make the film.

There is strong desire among the fans that Rajini and Kamal should share the screen space once again just as they did decades ago. This question almost haunts both Rajini and Kamal whenever they get a chance to meet the media.

Kamal’s answer now will certainly have the producers take stock of the situation and think.

Rajini Meets Ex-CM

Rajinikanth met the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M Karunanidhi at his Gopalapuram residence in Chennai today, June 16th, 2012. The Superstar was not in Chennai at the time of Karunanidhi’s birthday on June 3rd and hence could not wish him in person.

However, Rajini reportedly conveyed his birthday wishes through phone. Meeting the former CM today Rajinikanth said that he conveyed his belated wishes and it was just a courtesy call.

Former Deputy CM and Karunanidhi’s son MK Stalin and his mother Dayalu Ammal was also present during this meeting.

No release date fixed of Kochadaiyaan yet

With debutant director Soundarya Rajinikanth completing the shoot for Kochadaiyaan ahead of schedule, the team is currently busy with post-production. “We are currently working on the post-production in different studios across the globe, in London, Los Angeles and Hong Kong,” says Dr Murali Manohar, co-producer of the film.

Quiz him on whether the film is readying up for a Diwali release as speculated by media and he says, “We are currently not focussing on any particular release date. We do want to try to release it before year end, but we’re not setting a deadline.”
The film, which has generated interest across the globe, has also sparked a lot of interest with international distributors. “Yes, we do have inquiries for releasing the film in Japanese. There are also people from France and Spain who want to release the film in French and Spanish,” says Dr Manohar.
He also reveals that the songs too for the film are completed. “We’ve used some of the biggest names in choreography including Saroj Khan, Rekha Chinni Prakash and Raju master. We want to ensure that it is a visual feast” says Dr Manohar.