Robot History - Part 2

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…