Why should he? If he didnt bother about Aalavanthan, why should he bother about the rest. Kamal doesnt care about BO. He attempt his best to give versatile movies. Rajni is worried too much about his success, so he is very careful in each step, specially after BABA. Also, what KH can do if Rajni take ideas from him and do things agains him?

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/art ... urpg-1.cms

Can U solve Rajnikant's biz formula?
D GOVARDAN
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2005 12:27:54 AM]

CHENNAI: Tamil superstar Rajnikant is all set to blaze the firmament of Indian commercial cinema . His next film , tentatively titled ‘Sivaji’, to be produced by AVM Productions and directed by Shankar, will be the highest priced Indian film in the history of cinema in the country. According to industry sources, a day after the announcement of the film, discussions have more or less been almost finalised with the prospective buyers .

On conservative estimates, the stake holders of the film are likely to rake in a whopping Rs 50 cr by selling all the rights for the film. These include theatrical rights in Tamil Nadu, dubbing and distribution rights in Telugu for Andhra Pradesh, theatrical rights in Kerala and Karnataka, audio rights, overseas market and the satellite rights. This despite the fact that film is yet to be formally launched and is slated to be released on Diwali day of 2006.

What probably helps AVM Productions is the long tradition and history as the longest surviving film production company with a regular set of buyers, who pick up the films produced by it. According to sources, Rajnikant has already been paid Rs 15 crore.

Considering that Rajnikant is just a four-state star, with his commercial influence limited to the four southern states and no frontrunner in Bollywood today, the fact that a section of the industry believes that the sale proceeds from this new film could go up to Rs 70-75 cr is even more mind boggling. Of course, others in the industry are quick to point out that anything beyond Rs 50-Rs 60 cr will make the project ‘unviable’.

These estimates by the cross section of industry are based on the Superstar’s last film, Chandramukhi. Even after 130 days, it is still running in several theatres across the state. It has, reportedly, helped its stake holders to rake in anywhere between Rs 45 cr to Rs 55 cr.

“It is the industry practise to use a star’s last film as the yardstick for the commercial transactions of the next film,” pointed out Adlabs CMD, Manmohan Shetty. If a film has grossed over Rs 60 cr or Rs 70 cr, the next film will be normally sold based on the previous benchmark,” industry sources added.

If one considers Bollywood, Devdas was the biggest film in recent times and it reportedly collected over Rs 55 cr. Gadar was sold for a mere Rs 18 cr, but went on to reportedly collect over Rs 100 cr.

“In the case of Mangal Pandey: The Rising, it was sold for Rs 32 cr. Naturally, the next Aamir Khan film will be sold using this as the benchmark, irrespective of who directs it and what it’s all about,” the sources added. Even superhit Telugu movie Indhra, featuring Chiranjeevi collected a little over Rs 40 cr at the box office.

As for the remuneration, Rajnikant's formula is a combination of a fee plus a share in profits, it is learnt. In that respect, he reportedly took home anywhere between Rs 15 cr to Rs 20 cr. That has already made him the top earner among stars, not only in India, but also Asia, next only to Jackie Chan.

And he is now said to have worked out a 50:50 profit sharing formula with AVM Productions for Sivaji. That is sure to increase his earning potential to anywhere between Rs 20 cr and Rs 25 cr and catapult him even higher.

http://www.behindwoods.com/features/New ... ankar.html

Shankar ropes in A R Rahman for Sivaji
Behindwoods
August 27, 2005

Shankar and A.R. Rahman have been a potent combination giving wonderful music for great films. All their seven projects together have been box office hits. In the recent Anniyan, Harris Jayaraj was the composer. Although the songs did well, the background score did not jell well with the movie and was not much appreciated by the audience. Therefore, Shankar is interested in bringing Rahman back with the Rajini film, Sivaji. Rahman has already scored music for Rajini’s Muthu, Padayappa and Baba. Since the songs of these films were chart toppers, Rajini is also keen that Rahman should compose the music for Sivaji.

There was an interview with AVM saravanan in FM radio in Chennai and he said that only ARR, Shankar, Rajni, Sivaji are confirmed news. Rest of them, including sales figure, 7 role by Rajni, Aishwarya Rai etc are just rumours. He said the shooting will start as soon as their current movie with Ajith is over, and mentioned that it will not come anytime before Diwali 2006.

What an awful mustache!

The 2nd poster is absolutely stunning

it would be stunning, had he not been on the cover

This is a typical Banglorean mustache in the 80s and still the same for some of hard core banglorean. Its actually pretty cool. Rajni is trying his best to look different and this one will help! Apparently Rajni is coming in 7 act (and the reason why KH choosed to act in Dasavatharam at this time?) and we can see many more mushtache like this. It seems to be a combo of two malayalam super hits by Mohanlal, who might also act instead of Amitabh in Shivaji - expectations are high. lets see..

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/8835/sivaji6fx.jpg

This one looks cool. Hope he plays his age!!!! Then it would be a really cool movie.

It would be better looking if it was real. Hopefully Rajini will grow a real moustache for the movie itself. Hairstyle and glasses also look like an earlier Rajini style.

Mohanlal and Mohanbabu are both being considered for the film.

It seems they settled down for RajKiran... each news is building up the expectation!

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=sivaji&s=rec&z=t

Lots of pics from SIVAJI song shoot in Spain from a Flickr member. Rajini and Shriya in weird wigs. I think Rajini is rapping in the song sequence.

Now I know why they're called dreadlocks

uNf. she's so sassy!