Rajni fans awaiting another treat!

Chennai, Apr 3: In the face of the stupendous success of his last film ''Chandramukhi,'' Tamil superstar Rajnikant's new flick ''Shivaji,'' directed by 'star' Director Shankar for the 'star' banner AVM Productions, is getting ready for national and worldwide release, perhaps on May 17.

Having completed the shooting, the mega-budgeted film with technological fizz, budget at more than Rs 60 crore, according to AVM sources, will another step forward by hitting the screens next month. The musical score is by none other than maesteo A R Rahman.

Two lakh CDs and audio cassettes have been released in southern India yesterday. The CDs were also released in Singapore on Sunday, according to these sources. The musical score is by none other them maeste A R Rahman.

Already having created a lot of pre-release hype, ''Shivaji'' is also being awaited with great expectations by Rajni fans as it comes from the prestigious AVM banner, which is celebrating 60 years of existence.

Significantly, AVM is the only surviving studio system, decades after its competitors Vijay-Vauhini banner and Gemini, had to pull down their shutters with filmaking moving outdoors.

For Rajni also, it would be another record of sorts, as AVM has made its ninth film with the megastar in the lead. Since its inception in the late 40s, AVM has never made so many films with a single leading star, including yesteryear matinee idols of Tamil cinema Sivaji Ganesan and the legendary MGR.

The film has been sold out to distributors of various territories at whopping prices, Chennai alone accounting for Rs 50 crore.

''Shivaji,'' which has also been filmed abroad, including song sequences, is left with dubbing and re-recording work.

Originally, the film was planned for the traditional Tamil New Year Day release, but it could not be completed. Another reason being given for postponment, according to Kollywood sources, is that while the month of April is supposed to be lucky for Rajni, for Director Shankar it is not so. He prefers a June release. Thus, May could be some kind of a compromise! And not to deprive the avowed fans the 'pride' of seeing their screen idol's film on the first two days after the release, members of numerous Rajni Fan Clubs have been issued tokens to purchase tickets.

UNI