Rajni,'the box-office boss' is back as fans turn euphoric

Chennai, June 15 (UNI) The 40-feet cutout at the main theatre Albert, among the 15 in which Tamil cinema's superstar Rajnikant 'handed out' his latest 'celluloid gift', ''Sivaji, the Boss'' to thousands of his fans, said it all.

For euphoric fans who had started gathering in theatres all over Tamil Nadu since last night, to lap up their icon's latest action flick, produced by the prestigious AVM Productions, celebrating the 60th year in the industry, and directed by 'Indian' fame Shankar, the two year wait was worth its weight in gold too. The release was also significant for another reason as ''Sivaji'', being the 100th Tamil film for Rajni, added to the festivities.

The film has already created a record by way of collections of Rs 1.70 crore for the first week in advance booking, according to the main distributor in Chennai circuit Abhiramy Nathan, who himself released the film in his own multiplex.

The triumphant mood was also evident in the sprawling AVM studios complex in the city where senior employees went around the theatres to see for themselves and savour the tremendous response to the film, despite the postponement of the release twice, regarded as a 'bad omen' for its success. '' We are happy about reports of a tremendous response to the film coming in from all parts'', an AVM PRO told UNI.

Rajni, who himself avoids the media, opened up to a private television channel and went on the record saying that with the amunt of media attention on ''Sivaji'', he was very nervous about the box office prospects for the first time in his career.

''I will watch the film again and again'', an ardent fan said in one theatre. Many others came appearing like Rajni himself.

Some sported a bald plate imitating one of the getups Rajni sports in ''Sivaji''.

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