Chennai: A day after it was announced that Nayanthara’s next movie is titled Netrikann, Rajinikanth fans have expressed their disappointment at the recent trend of titles of yesteryear Rajinikanth movies being used liberally in film industry today.
They allege that industry men want to use the title(s) to garner mileage. Remember, NetrikannĀ was a huge blockbuster directed by K Balachander starring Rajinikanth in 1981.
In the past some years, names of several Rajinikanth’s blockbusters were reused. Though appropriate permission was obtained by the producers and filmmakers, yet fans of Rajinikanth see red. Many allege that brand Rajinikanth is being (mis)used for personal gains. When you name your movie after a Rajinikanth’s film, it automatically gets noticed. To cash in on Thalaivar’s popularity, they opt for his titles. In most cases, the story of the film has nothing to do with the title, they say.
“In a way, it shows the influence of Superstar on film-lovers even today. He is no doubt the King of Box office. But that should not be an excuse for others to garner mileage out of it,” says Bala, a die-hard fan of Rajinikanth. “In the last decade, nearly 25 films have come out with titles borrowed from Rajini movies. It also shows that our filmmakers should be creative and try for fresh titles.”
“Films like Payum Puli, Guru SishyanĀ or VelaikkaranĀ are close to my heart. I was surprised to see films carrying such titles made recently come nowhere near to the yesteryear flicks,” laments Kannan, a resident of Tambaram. “Even doing a sequel or remake of his films is unacceptable. Imagine the plight of films like Murattu KaalaiĀ (enacted by Sundar C) and sequel to MappillaiĀ by Dhanush,” he says.
Rajinikanth’s films have never failed to woo audience yesterday or today. There is a punch behind very title. It would draw audience to cinema halls. It is time that producers and filmmakers stop thinking of reusing them and come out with creative names for their films, say many in chorus.
| ‘NAME’SAKE |
| Some of the popular Rajinikanth film titles reused are Payum Puli, Naan Sigappu Manithan, Manithan, Ranga, Thillu Mullu, Pokkiri Raja, Karjanai, Rajathi Raja, Dharma Durai, Kazhugu, Veera, Thee, Velaikkaran, Naan Mahan Alla, Billa, Kuppathu Raja, Guru Sishyan, Kaali, Ninaithalae Inikkum, Mappillai, Padikathavan, Polladhavan, Thanga Magan, among others. |