Sivaji runs smooth in Karnataka

New Delhi:It was a smooth release for Super Star Rajinikanth's film Sivaji in Karnataka with not a whimper of protest on the releasing day.

The rally taken by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike on June 14 and a Dharna in front of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce had cast a shadow on the smooth release of the film.

There were a few anxious moments for the film's distributor H.D.Gangaraj and the owners of ten prominent theatres and three multiplexes which were releasing the hugely expected Rajini starrer.

But the morning shows started off with huge crowds in front of the t1heatres screening the film and the trend continued even to the last show with black market tickets selling in the range of Rs 1000 to Rs 2000.

In all the theatres the advance and Internet bookings have been closed for a week now.

Gangaraj expressed happiness about the smooth release of the film, "Here most film fans recognise Rajinikanth as an actor from Karnataka and who was introduced first in Kannada films.”

“His growth as a charismatic star of international repute has been well appreciated by people of Karnataka. His fan following cuts across all language barriers,” he added.

Srinivas of Eshwari Theatre who has released the film said that the film was bound to be a big hit considering the positive reviews of the film. "I am not surprised by the big response for this film. But I am surprised that the film is able to generate same level of excitement among the mass and class fans.”

“I am getting maximum inquiries for tickets from white collar executives and successful businessman, which was not the case with his earlier films,” he added.

Rajni has emerged as a big brand that attracts people of different segments, economic and educational groups.

Trade analysts in the film industry feel that the excitement over the film will make it the highest grosser among the films released in Karnataka.

"I think it will break the record of collections of many non-Kannada films like Hum Aapke Kaun Hai, Lagaan, Devadas, Dhoom II, Pokiri, Indra and Rajinikanth's previous films,” said a well known film distributor.

According to observers, the Telugu dubbed version may not generate the same level of success as the Tamil film, mainly because the opinion about the Telugu dubbed version is divided.

There has been some negative talk about the Telugu dubbed version in Bellary, Hospet and other Telugu areas where the film is not expected to do too well.

(The writer is a noted film journalist)