Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

`Sivaji season' starts with a bang

T. Saravanan

Release of audio CDs/cassettes sets the tone for ostentatious screening

MADURAI: Anything and everything pertaining to film actor Rajnikant makes news. For his fans, what they need is just an occasion to celebrate. They keenly follow every movement of the star.

Their expectations are sky high during festival seasons. Any festival that does not see the release of the star performer's film is observed as a `black day' by his fans here. They come out with innovative ideas to celebrate new releases of the tinsel hero.

Milk pot-procession

This time, they celebrated the release of the audio of the latest Rajini starrer, `Sivaji,' in a big way on Monday. Members of the Thideer Nagar Rajnikant Narpani Mandram carried milk pots on their head in a procession from Kattabomman Statue to `Keestu Ganam,' a retail shop selling video and audio CDs and cassettes.

"Right from 4 a.m. the crowd gathered in front of our shop to buy the film's audio. Though we opened at 5 a.m. the CDs and cassettes arrived only by 7 a.m. by a special vehicle from the company," said A.N. Ganesh Babu of `Keestu Ganam.'

48-day fast

A ceremonial welcome was accorded amid wild cheers. Milk was poured over cut-outs of Rajnikant erected in front of the shop. "It will not end here. Already 15 persons are on a 48-day fast, which will come to an end on the day of the release, and 11 of our fans have pierced spears on their tongues. On that day, we have also planned to erect giant-size banners in front of all theatres, which screen the film," said S. Rajini Arumugam, a member of the fan club.

"So far the shop at Complex Bus Stand alone has sold more than 1,200 audio CDs and 700 audiocassettes. We have three more branches in the city. The CD costs Rs.100 and cassette Rs.45," said Mr. Ganesh Babu.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Guides and lessons to be learnt
Green crusaders come to the rescue
`Sivaji season' starts with a bang
Mock test on April 15
Around the City
In Madurai Today
Reader's Mail

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu