Rajinikanth's "Lingaa" will hit theatres in less than 100 hours. The Tamil movie will release on 12 December, coinciding with the superstar's birthday. As the D-Day is round the corner, it is time to read the film's preview.
KS Ravikumar was supposed to direct Rajinikanth in a movie called "Rana." But the film was shelved after the superstar fell sick in 2010. Later, the actor went ahead with his daughter's animation project "Kochadaiiyaan." It was during the release of this film that the superstar expressed a desire to work in a regular commercial movie and asked Ravikumar whether he could make a movie in a short period, to release in 2014.
Ravikumar said "yes" and the project was launched at Chamundi temple in Mysore, Karnataka. But realising that the six month deadline for the film was too demanding, the director chose the best names to work with, in order to wrap it up in time. So he approached Sonakshi Sinha and Anushka Shetty to play the lead roles. As the film required limited dates, they could give nod to the film without any hesitation.
Storyline
KS Ravikumar didn't take much time to write the story as a tailor-made tale was already written by his former associate and Kannada director Pon Kumaran. Rajinikanth too was impressed by the script as it is a semi-period movie.
Lead Roles
Rajinikanth will be seen in dual roles in "Lingaa." He will have multiple avatars in the movie. He will be seen romancing both Sonakshi Sinha and Anushka Shetty in the film.
Shooting
After the launch in Mysore, the "Lingaa" team shot the film in Theerthahalli, Melukote, Pandavapura, Jog Falls, Ramoji Film City, Chennai, Abu Dhabi and in Europe.
Sets
While the makers chose the best locales for outdoor shooting; the ones indoors were also mainly shot on expensive sets. National Award winning Sabu Cyril erected a few costly sets including a train set of the British times and a huge dam, both in Ramoji Film City.
Audio
AR Rahman has been a regular music composer in Rajinikanth's films for some time now. KS Ravikumar took his services again. The Oscar Award winner has composed 5 tracks each for the Tamil, Telugu and Hindi versions. Madhan Karky and Vairamuthu have penned lyrics for the Tamil songs, Gulzar has written all the songs for the Hindi version and a host of Telugu writers have contributed for the Tollywood version.
"Mona Gasolina" and "Indiane Vaa" tracks have topped the charts in the Tamil version.
Controversies
"Lingaa" has drawn the ire of environmental activists in Karnataka during the shooting of the film near the Linganamakki Dam that prohibited access to the dam for the public, apart from allegedly polluting the environment. Besides, the film has been dragged into legal dispute twice, by different parties, accusing KS Ravikumar of plagiarism. While the first case has been quashed by the Madurai Court, the second case is coming up for hearing on 9 December.
Screens
"Lingaa" is expected to release in above 3000 screens worldwide. In South India alone, the Tamil movie will release in 1500 screens.
Business
Money matters pertaining to Rajinikanth's films also generate buzz among movie buffs. "Lingaa" was also in the news, when it was acquired by Eros International reportedly for ₹120 crores. The movie has been produced by leading Kannada film maker Rockline Venkatesh, who is supposed to have paid above ₹ 50 crores for the superstar alone! The satellite rights of the film have been sold to Jaya TV for a fancy price.
