Friday is D-day for Rajini and Sivaji

June 15 is the D-day for Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, the makers of his latest film Sivaji and for thousands of Rajini fans across the globe. Here's what makes this film one of the most awaited releases in recent times. It's touted to be the most expensive Indian film ever but it comes as no surprise. When three of Tamil cinema's biggest names – Rajinikanth, filmmaker Shankar and music director AR Rahman come together it's a milestone in the making.

Reportedly shot for Rs 80 crore, Sivaji releases worldwide on Friday. Apart from regular territories down south, Mumbai and Delhi, Sivaji will also be released in centres like Surat, Bhiwandi, Latur and Sholapur. “The film is being released all over the world. Leave aside India, Rajini has a huge fan following in Japan also,” a distributor Nambirajan said. Rajinikanth's last release in 2005, Chandramukhi, grossed over Rs 60 crore at the box-office and the superstar is making sure that Sivaji sees the same kind of success.

Prior to the release of his mega film, the actor was spotted at the Tirupati Balaji temple on Tuesday night to seek blessings “Expectations are high but I promise that the expectations will be met. The film will be liked by everyone, be it the classes or masses,” Rajinikanth said. Speaking on the film, the superstar said that the “message in the film is very strong. It's the story of black money, which hasn't been told before. It will create awareness among the public and has been excellently directed by Shankar.”

The actor also flew down to Hyderabad for a special screening of the film with TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday morning. Screenings for AIADMK leader Jayalalitha and Finance Minister P Chidambaram were also on the actor's schedule. Sivaji is being released with a record 450 Tamil prints, some of which will be for the film's overseas release in the US and the UK.

(With inputs from Archita Kashyap in Mumbai)

Source : Yahoo