As already you have read in papers and website about the Shanthi theatre shoot, I herewith tried to present some new infos and happenings there with new pictures other than I used previously. Do tell me your esteemed views and honest comments and criticisms about this. When first time I heard about Kuselan shoot in Shanthi theatre with fans I didn’t believe. Later last noon I heard that through a trust worthy source. Then only I believed it.
I know that the shoot would be for patch work and Superstar won’t turn up for that. Anyway I wanted to cover it for our blog and also notice the happenings standing nearby.
Since I was told that shoot would start by 6.30 am on Thursday, I kept alarm clock for 5.00 am. Since these days I am going to bed a bit late, I used to rise only after dawn and many times alarm failed to wake me up. But surprisingly today morning I woke up the moment alarm started ringing.
Within half an hour I was ready and started to Shanthi theatre with my bag. I was there by 6.15 am. At that time itself, I could see lots of crowd before the theatre annexe and in Anna theatre too. Most of them were local fans. One could lots of female fans too. They all were from neighboring areas.
Theatre decorated already
The theatre was already decorated with Rajini fan club flags, ribbons and cutouts. One could see digital banners too here and there. On lookers were gazing at the scenario. Those who regularly come to Saravana Bhavan there wondered for a while and puzzled what’s cooking there. Some get confused and asked others, is any Rajini movie releases today? How we missed it? etc.,
I came to know that director Vasu was already inside the theatre supervising the shooting arrangements.
Installation of cranes and cameras
Generator and power vehicles started coming in to the compound and the production executives were busy installing the cranes and cameras and rails. Generator vans started coming and exactly by 7.30 the theatre wore a festive atmosphere. (If you see in person such installations and production related works with technicians working hard – you won’t watch any movie in piracy for sure!!)
Shoot inside the theatre
First a scene inside the theatre was shot. We were allowed inside the movie hall and all occupied seats. Vasu was instructing the crowd inside the theatre standing in the diaz before the screen what to do. The camera was set on the stage of the screen. Shooting lamps and lights were fixed on all sides of the entrances.
Superstar, thalaivaa, varungala mudhalavar superstar…
The scene was to capture audience’s reaction when they first saw the letter Superstar on the 
screen. Vasu was describing everything and asked the crowd to react one he says to do so. A rehearsal was done. Flowers and papers were kept ready. Finally when Vasu shouted “Action” the whole crowd went wild and we could hear the shouts Superstar, thalaivaa, varungala mudhalavar superstar etc. The theatre floor was filled with paper pieces and floral petals.
After that the shoot was shifted to outdoor. Fans performing paalabhishekam was shot and women lighting camphors were shot.
Uncontrollable fans
It was tough task for Vasu to control the fans. And we could witness it. Before he was saying “Action” the fans started pouring milk and Vasu became tensed and shouted. We could understand that how tough is directing a film and particularly such involving lots of wild fans.
That shot was filmed with the help of Akhila crane and it was very interesting and wonderful to see the crane swiftly crawls in the air to shoot the scene. (see the picture in the separate link or in previous post)
Everybody started shouting “Thalaivaa” while the fans were pouring milk in the cutout. Those who were gathered at the ground raised their hands and started shouting, “Suppppppppperrrrrrrrr Staaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrr,” “Deivamaeeeeeeeeeeeee” etc., (see the attached picture)
All were in Bhakthi paravasam.
After that Vasu a scene involving Thaaikulam’s were shot. Those who were hired for that were made to gather before the camera and then the scene was shot.
As I was roaming here and there I couldn’t catch the exact happeing.
The shoot concluded by 9.00 am and after that a mini press meet was held inside the theatre office where Vasu explained about the scene and Superstar’s opinion about the film. (Check in Thanthi attachment for the detailed report)
Were fans not enough? Why side artistes?
When Vasu decided to shot such a scene initially it was decided to film it with side artistes only. However lates he decided to bring in fans too. Because then only the scene would be lively. And we couldn’t expect such a involvement and passion from hired people.
At the same time, he felt that there should be at least 50% of the side artistes in the scene. You know why? You can’t control the fans above some extent. But hired people can be controlled. So, for a better control only some part of the crowd was hired. And we understood that during the shoot. The fans were really uncontrollable and they forgot that the director has to say “Action”.
You should keep in mind that Vasu was standing in the ground instructing in the mike and fans were in top of the building.
At one extent they started pouring the milk before Vasu’s nod and all become waste as camera was not running that time. Later when Vasu said “Action” there was no milk in the cans to pour and a few rushed to nearby shops and purchased milk. (It would have been better if they used lime water (sunnambu thanni) to shoot this scene instead of using original milk).
When they decided to shoot with fans, Sathy’s help was sought to bring in fans. He then informed local fan clubs about the shoot and asked them to co-operate with the director. The news spread among the city fans like a wild-fire and they started flocking the theatre on the day of shoot from morning itself. At one extent a huge crowd has gathered beyond the expected turn out.- Thaaikulams from nearby areas too joined with the fans and the production executives made them to site in the lawn in shadow.
- It is our fans who made the shoot LIVELIER than the hired people. Inside the theatre our fans turned the theatre upside down by their frenzy.
- We could see fans from all age groups came to attend the shooting.
- Saravana Bhavan enjoyed a brisk business
- A few street vendors too were spotted selling Rajini related song books, stickers and posters. One of the asked me whether there would be shoot for next day too. When I said, “No. It only a single day shoot” his was disappointed. Any how I consoled him that the movie is going to release here only soon and he could enjoy good sales that time. He somewhat satisfied.
- Many fans and public were eagerly asking each other that whether Superstar would turn up to the shoot. When they knew that he won’t, they were disappointed.
- Press persons and photographers from leading newspapers started flocking there and they really had a feast for their cameras.
- I and some of my friends had the golden opportunity to act in these scenes – but one among thousands. Am not sure that I will be visible or my frame would be there. Anyway I have acted in a thalaivar movie. That’s enough.
- Though the decoration for the theatre with flags and posters and banners were carried out by production boys from previous night itself – our fans too helped them.
- We couldn’t see the name “Rajini” anywhere as Superstar plays a character called Ashok Raj in the movie. The scene was as if people receiving Ashok Raj’s movie and celebrating its release.
- Only exemption is a banner by Thiruvanmiyur Bhaskar where it read “Thalaivar Rajini should rule and Tamil Nadu should prosper”
After the completion of the shoot, P Vasu thanked all fans and asked them to have the break fast before leaving. Guess what, the break fast was arranged for all the fans with lip-smacking Pongal vadai and idly sambhar. The food was made ready and brought in giant vessels in a van. Fans really had a feast.
Later at the press meet PVasu told that thalaivar is very much interested to watch the movie at once and he couldn’t resist his temptation.He also explained the significance of the scene that was shot there and explained the lyrics too.
Before starting from there I introduced myself to Aravind Krishna (cinematographer of Kuselan) and congratulated him for his good job and also wished the movie a stupendous success.
Please refer to Thanthi scanning for more info on the same.
