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If ToI reports were to be beleived, Ash has given her nod to do the lead role in Robot.

Report also suggests that Ash is impressed immensely with the script but is yet to finalize the dates for the shoot. Shankar’s original choice was Kareena when he decided to do the project with SRK. But then, since it is now planned for a simultaneous release in Tamil, Hindi and Telugu, Ash has turned to be a natural choice.

Let us wait and see what else unfolds…

As you all know by now, Rajini was chosen as the Entertainer of the Year by NDTV. Click on the following image to watch Rajini on NDTV:

(Video will open in separate window)

Do not miss the part where SRK interviews the undisputed king of Indian Movies!

Here is the complete text of the interview:

NDTV: Many congratulations. It’s fantastic to have you here in our midst. It is so difficult to make you leave Chennai and Tamil Nadu.

Rajni: Indeed, it is a very different occasion for me. I am honoured to receive the award from the golden hands of our Prime Minister and political saint Manmohan Singhji. I am thankful to NDTV and all the people who voted for me and the people who loved me.

NDTV: One of the reasons why it is difficult for you to leave Chennai is because you bring the whole city to a standstill. Is that true that once you had to go to the airport and when you got out of the car, the whole city came to a halt?

Rajni: It is just a rumour.

NDTV: Or only half a city?

Rajni: No, it is the whole media thing. It is not a fact.

NDTV: Let me ask you that when it comes to recognizing Indian cinema, it becomes very Bollywood centric. Not many people outside of South India know that you are one of the highest paid actors in India.

Rajni: Who said I am the highest paid actor? (laughs)

NDTV: You are saying that because the finance minister is here. But we know that you are a superstar not only in South India but all over the world. You have a following as far as Japan. Do you feel that the South does not get enough of recognition when it comes to recognizing Indian cinema?

Rajni: No, it’s distorted actually. People have started recognizing South Indian films and South Indian technicians and artists, thanks to the media.

NDTV: Now the question that many journalists have been trying to ask is: when are you formally going to take the plunge into politics? I know you have made many endorsements in the past to different parties, so just when are you going to dive in?

Rajni: I believe in destiny. Day before yesterday, I did not know that I will be here. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. But I believe in God and whatever God orders me to do, I will do.

NDTV: That’s a very politically correct answer. But what does it actually mean? Does it mean DMK, AIADMK, or the Congress?

Rajni: Actually, God has given me a role to play, an actor’s role. If he gives me a politician’s role, definitely I will do it.

NDTV: Okay, so you are not ruling that out?

Rajni: I told you: destiny.

NDTV: Someone from the Hindi film fraternity will ask questions: Karan Johar?

Karan Johar: Who do you regard as actor par excellence in the Bombay film fraternity?

Rajni: Amitabh Bachchan (Applause)

NDTV: You have said earlier that you are the Badshah but he is the Shahenshah. There is another Badshah in the audience. Shah Rukh wants to ask Rajni a question.

Shah Rukh: What does one do to become Shahenshah, sir?

Rajni: I am telling you, Shah Rukh, you will one day become Shahenshah.

NDTV: Do you want to ask Shah Rukh a question, or say something to him?

Rajni: He is an excellent actor. One thing I like about him is his integrity. He is very serious to promote our Indian sports, like hockey. Hats off to you. I saw that picture, Chak De. I will try to do that kind of a role, Shah Rukh.

Shah Rukh: Thank you sir. But I notice that you are just talking about my sports and not my acting. Anyway, God bless you and it is an honor and a wonderful thing to have you here in our midst.

Click here for our previous post on this subject.
This program will be aired on NDTV on 26th January at 8 PM and 27th January at 11 AM and 10 PM.

Following the mega success of Billa 2007, Ajith was next in line to be considered for Robot. Although there were reliable reports that talks were continuing on this front, Shankar was tight lipped as usual. Ajith kept saying there is no official confirmation about it, which fueled the fire even more. Shankar publicly said that Robot is not happening now and that he is going to concentrate more on producing movies for his S pictures. But the rumor mill continued to grind. There are only few actors left now that Shankar can work with. A) He can do this project with Kamal. Buoyed by the huge success of tamil movies, large corporations are investing boat loads of money into Tamil movie industry. In this changed atmosphere it may be possible to revive the movie with Kamal in the lead. But again there was the time factor. Kamal’s next movie Marmayogi has already been announced. He reportedly committed another mega-movie in hindi co-starring with Hrithik. It is nearly impossible for him to fit Robot in his schedule without upsetting his other production companies. Then there was Super Star. He had few projects of his own. He wanted to make a movie for SP Muthuraman. He was impressed with director A.R.Murugadoss’s script, that he wanted to act in it. He wanted to work in a Maniratnam’s movie. He also promised to make a movie for Kamal’s Rajkamal International. Plus he wanted to make a movie for KB’s Kavithalaya. There were just too many people that he wanted to work with. But he just couldn’t get the right combination. Ayngaran’s Karunmurthy came to Shankar’s rescue once again. Although Ayngaran is a reputed distribution company, they don’t produce movies directly. Ayngaran was partly owned by Eros International who along with Sony Pictures bankroll as many as 50 movies in Hindi this year. Industry buzz is that Karunamurthy arranged the meeting between Eros and Shankar. If these sources are to be believed, Shankar wanted Sony/Eros to produce the movie with Ajith in the lead. His estimate for making the movie was between 70 and 80 crores. However Sony/Eros was not willing to take the bait. They said Ajith is a little known actor outside Tamilnadu. If this project has to be viable, this movie must be made in two or three languages and also by an actor who can attract a strong crowd overseas. Eros reportedly made a counter offer, why dont you convince Rajini to do the movie, we can invest as much as 120 crores for this project, instead of 80 crores that you asked for? Shankar must have thought, this must be too good to be true. He ran this by the Super Star. Rajini was reluctant this time mainly due to three reasons. a) Two years for a movie is too long for him. b) His last mega-movie Sivaji adversely impacted many smaller producers last time, which he did not want to repeat. c) He wanted to make a quick movie for KB’s Kavithalaya. Needless to say Shankar was more than willing to accommodate all that. He said that the two year time can be cut down by appropriate planning beforehand. As far as the smaller producers are concerned, if we can announce the release date of Robot much in advance, that would help them immensely. He convinced Rajini that all the lessons learned while making Sivaji can be applied in making Robot. He was also willing to wait until P.Vasu’s Kuselan is complete. With the last hindrance out of their way, Rajini happily agreed and signed on the dotted lines. There you go. Thats the complete behind the scenes story of this mega-movie. We compiled this story from a variety of sources including many industry insiders and our friends in media. Let us know if you heard otherwise!

In 2005 when AVM Saravanan was briefly hospitalized, Rajini had gone to meet him in the hospital and they briefly discussed about making a movie together. This was in line with Rajini’s decision to make movies only to big banners, in order to avoid controversies. It was Rajini who suggested that Shankar as his first choice for Director. But Shankar was already in talks with Chiranjeevi and he even reportedly was paid an advance for a project from a noted Telugu producer. Although Shankar knew it could be a life time opportunity to work with AVM and super star, he was in a dilemma since he was already paid advance and he did not want to disappoint the producer.

M.S.Guhan, son of AVM Saravanan and co-producer of Sivaji stepped in. He along with Ayngaran’s Karunamurthy brainstormed a solution to this seemingly complex situation. The fact that Karunamurthy was a good friend of Shankar helped as well. They spoke to the Telugu Producer and negotiated their way out. It was agreed that Shankar and the producer will nullify the contract between them and in return, AVM will give Telugu rights to the producer. This paved the way for Sivaji.

Sivaji pooja Nov 28, 2005 - from left Shreya, Shankar, AVM Saravanan,
Rajini and M.S.Guhan.

Fast forward to 2007, a movie that was nearly two years in the making and costed over 80 crores, smashed away all the box office records and created the history.

Funnily enough, no one speculated this time that it will be Robot that Shankar will be making with Rajini. The reason was, almost immediately after the news that Rajini and Shankar making the movie was confirmed, the team announced the Sivaji as the name of the new movie.

Breaking the trend and setting new records were not new for Rajini and Shankar. But even for them, the stupendous success of Sivaji is a new high. Despite the media reports that for some distributors, this movie was a big loss, Sivaji made a lasting effect across the industry which was even felt in other parts of India.

Shankar went into hiding as he always does after completing the movie. When he came back he was ready to revive Robot. This time it is for real! It is worth noting that when he first decided to make Nayak in Hindi, the producers’ first choice was Shahrukh. However Shankar at that time felt that a Shahrukh with a super star status may not make justification to that role. He wanted to show how a common man rose up to be a Chief Minister for ‘one day’. Shahrukh and Shankar did hit off quite well and they decided to make a movie together in future. This time when Shankar relayed the Robot story to Sharukh, he was impressed. Science-fiction stories have already become huge hits in Hindi. Sharukh was actually looking for a vehicle to launch his own Sci-fi thriller. SRK fresh from his huge hit Om Shanti Om and Shankar after blockbuster Sivaji, it was a perfect marriage. Or so it seemed.

Sharukh and Shankar met few times in Hyderabad and Bangalore to discuss the screenplay. However the chemistry was missing between them. There were few reasons why this project fizzeld out even in the initial stages.

a) SRK wanted Manikandan to handle the camera. Shankar did not like the idea because Manikandan had walked out of one of his earlier films.
b) SRK suggested few changes. The story has a Scientist and a Robot, both are instrumental to the entire screenplay. Shahrukh wanted to play both roles himself. An idea which Shankar wasnt quite enthused about.
c) Shahrukh was going to produce the movie. The remuneration that Shankar quoted for his story, screenplay and direction of the movie was an exorbitant amount, according to Shahrukh. He thought the money was on the higher side, especially considering Shankar’s prior movie in Hindi (Nayak) was a huge flop.
d) Shahrukh privately said that the script was ‘half-baked’ and ‘dull’ and did not suit his image.

Either all of them are true or some of them are true or none of them is true. The official reason given was “creative differences” between Shankar and Shahrukh whatever it means! Thus the movie with Shahrukh was a non-starter.

Shankar was back at the drawing board all over again. According to some media reports, Aamir Khan was offered the role, which he denied later, saying that there was never any talks in that direction. Hrithik Roshan was Shankar’s next choice. Hrithik has done super hero movies and sci-fi thrillers in the recent past and they have all become blockbuster hits. He seemed like a perfect fit now. There was one catch though. Hrithik has signed up several movies and he is pretty busy for the next few years. There is no way he will be able to dedicate 2 years for Robot.

Continued…

Shankar confirms in his interview in Star Vijay, in a special interview on the occasion of Pongal, that the Super Star is impressed with the story line and the script made. Rajini opined that the story would impress, more than anyone, children a lot.

According to Shankar, the new project would be a (yet another) mile stone film for himself as well as the Super Star.

The pre-production activity for the project has commenced and it is for sure that we would witness another refreshing appearance of Rajini on screens - just as in Sivaji.

Also, it appears the title of the movie would be changed and mostly it would be a Tamil Name (tax benefits?!).

And what is that name ?

Keep guessing until RobotRajini.com cracks it for you!!!

When Boys was inagurated, in the year 2002, Rajini was the chief guest. That was the first time it was revealed that Shankar and Rajini had discussed the Robot movie. This came in as a surprise for the media and the public, because until then Robot was associated only with Kamal.

Rajini said that the Robot movie is a challenging one to make. It will require 50 crores and two years to make. But if we ever made that movie, it will turn out to be a great movie and I am sure it will run for 50 weeks - is what he spoke on the occassion. Funny to think now, that Super Star thought 50 crores was lot of money, but five years later he starred in Sivaji - a 80 crores project! By the way, Robot is pegged at 120 crores, as per the media reports.

In subsequent interivews, Sujatha and Shankar, who until then publicly maintained that Robot was a Kamal subject, either tighlipped or were evasive.

Also in the year 2002, Rajini’s Baba was released. Although this movie was a flop by Super Star’s standards, it still made lot of dough than many other movies released at that time.

Boys was released in 2003 with much fanfare. While critics panned the movie, it turned out to be a moderate hit largely due to AR Rahman’s peppy numbers making the younger generation swarm the multi-plexes.

Shankar started working on Anniyan after Boys. Once again the rumor mill was working overtime suggesting the storyline is Robot. This movie was released in 2005 turned out, not Robot after all. The movie went on to become a huge hit and established Vikram as a big league actor.

Year 2005 saw yet another super hit movie Chandramuki. This was remake of a kannada movie which itself was a remake of a Malayalam movie Manichithirathazhu. Directed by P.Vasu, a story well adapted to Rajini’s image and his die hard fans, this family entertainer created history in box office records. A simple story, taut screenplay, hit songs, rip tickling comedy and of course Super Star made the movie memorable.

Fresh from their successes, both Rajini and Shankar were looking for their next mega projects. Shankar’s plan was to work with Chiranjeevi. Once again press reported that he may be reviving Robot with Chiranjeevi in the lead. But there were also other reports that Chirajeevi wanted Shankar to direct his Son’s debut movie. Talks were on.

Rajini for his part consulted many directors and producers. One of the directors were in race was A.R.Murugadoss who gave another super hit Gajini in the same year. He reportedly relayed the story of ‘Stalin’ (which was later made with Chiranjeevi in the lead) to the Super Star. Talks were continuing.

Who knew at that time that their paths would cross.

Meendum Naalai Santhippom…

As we reported on this site yesterday, Shriya was seen in the Sivaji Silver Jubilee function flashing her cleavage. This did not go well with some moral police in TamilNadu. A local outfit Hindu Makkal Katchi has lodged a complaint that her outfit offended the ‘Hindu Culture’. More on it can be seen here:

http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jan/14shriya.htm

Not that I am a big fan of her cleavage, but who gives these thugs the right to represent the Hindu culture? Which part of Hindu Culture says that showing cleavage is a ‘no no’?

There are many websites today are trying to outdo each other in reporting about Robot. In the process, there is lot of contradictory information available on the web. Robotrajini.com would like to present you with chronology of events that led to today’s developments.

In 1996, Shankar and Kamalhassan collaborated to make Indian movie which turned out to be a runaway hit. This movie earned Kamal his third national award. This movie was dubbed in several regional languages and became a sensational hit in other languages as well. The Hindi version Hindustani was a big hit too, which brought recognition for Shankar at the national stage. Emboldened by the success of this movie, Shankar wanted repeat the magic with same team. The seed for Robot was sown. Famed tamil novelist Sujatha was consulted on this project and he reportedly played a big role in shaping up the screenplay. Around 2000, this idea somewhat started taking shape.

Media Dreams Pvt Ltd, part of now defunct Chennai based Pentamedia Limited of which Sujatha was a partner agreed to produce the movie. An announcement was made to this effect. Sushmita Sen was Shankar’s first choice for this movie but she turned down. Preity Zinta was signed up to do the female lead.

http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20010630-0.html

A.R.Rehman was the obvious choice to play the background score for Shankar’s movie. He said this to an interview that he gave to a tamil weekly:

http://home.no.net/satheest/html/a.r_rahman.html
While the movie was in the preliminary planning stages, Kamal became busy with Aalavandhan (Hindi Abhay) and Shankar was making Hindi Nayak (remake of Tamil Muthalvan) with Anil Kapoor. It was agreed once these two movies are complete they will commence their work on Robot.

However after the disastrous box office performance (despite critical acclaim) of both Aalavandhan & Nayak things changed upside down. Kamal did not want to risk another experimental movie after Aalavandhan. Shankar was in the same mood. Media Dreams was reluctant since it is hard to get financiers to back such a mega project especially after such huge box office disasters. All concerned parties agreed that the time is not ripe for such a project. They decided to shelve the project at least temporarily.

Since Media Dreams paid an advance to Kamal for Robot, Kamal made Pammal K Sambhandam for that company. Shankar wanted to make a movie with A M Ratnam again, to help him after the huge losses he suffered in making Nayak. At this time, Rajinikanth was consulting many directors for his next movie. One of them was Shankar and he reported discussed Robot (see below) with him. While the Super Star was impressed with the story, it was said that he did not want to work with AM Ratnam, and that he preferred to produce the next movie himself. He went on to make Baba.

Shankar got busy with Boys for A M Ratnam. All the interviews that followed one question that everyone had was, What happened to Robot? Sujatha in his series Kattrathum Pettrathum in Anandha Vikatan, was quite hopeful that this movie was made one day with Kamal as hero and Shankar as it director. There was even a morphed photo of Kamal as a Robot. In another interview Shankar said there is only person can star in his dream project, and that person is none other than Kamal hassan.

I will write more tomorrow…

The Super Star gave his million-dollar nod! Yes, after months of haggling, Rajini signed on dotted lines for Shankar’s magnum opus Robot. Jointly produced by Ayngaran and Eros Multimedia International this movie is estimated to cost 100 crores. If this figure is to be believed, this will be the most expensive movie every made in India thus far.

The only other crew member that has been decided so far is A.R.Rehman, the Mozart of Madras. Rehman has been the lucky mascot of Shankar’s and together they have produced several hits in the past.

Shankar & Rajini’s last collaboration Sivaji, a tamil movie that was released last year was made at an estimated 80 crores. This movie turned out to be a huge hit in India and overseas.

Ayngaran and Eros Multimedia issued a joint press release today.