Sivaji: South India's Superstar in India's Costliest Movie Ever

In India, where Bollywood dominates the more than a half-dozen mainstream commercial movie industries, Kollywood, which is how the Chennai-based Tamil movie industry is often referred to, has largely been a poorer cousin. It is therefore, all the more remarkable how Rajnikanth (Rajni) has over the space of a few decades, captured the collective imagination and psyche of the South Indian movie aficionados to such an extent that he is the one truly undisputable superstar in all of India: his larger-than-life persona is arguably unequalled by any other actor in India, and perhaps, even in celebrity-obsessed Hollywood. Where most other celebrities and stars' appeal relies heavily on the glamour quotient, Rajni has endeared himself to his fans by virtue of his style, flair and for want of a better word, magic.

It should come as no surprise then, that Rajni's 100th movie in Tamil cinema, "Sivaji:The Boss", which released worldwide June 15 would likely be extra special. It is rumored to be the costliest movie ever made in India, with varying reports suggesting upwards of $12 million. The movie that was reportedly shot over the course of nearly two years, also boasts of highly reputed team of core artists and technicians, including director Shankar, music director, A.R.Rahman to go along with a big banner production house, AVM Studios. As if these ingredients were not enough to catapult the movie into potentially breath-taking box office success, the movie promotions hit the fever pitch well over a few months ago, with the first whispers being heard right from the beginning of the year. The plot - which is now known to deal with a socially relevant message against corruption and redtape in India - was kept as a closely guarded secret right until the premiere, resulting in the interest in the movie ranging not just from casual to passionate to fanatical, but speculative and even restless.