Amitabh Bachchan launches the Hindi trailer of Rajinikanth's Kochadaiiyaan

Two of Indian cinema’s biggest titans – Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth – shared the podium yesterday, at the Hindi trailer launch of Rajini's most ambitious venture Kochadaiiyaan at Cinemax theater in Andheri. The occasion looked no less regal than an award function and the red carpet laid out at the venue was soon adorned by the who’s who of the industry from Anupam Kher, Kajol, Shekhar Kapur, Govind Nihalani, Ramesh Sippy, Subhash Ghai and many others, all of whom trooped in to support and congratulate the God of Southern movie industry. Family members of both superstars who were present yesterday included Soundarya who is also the director of the movie, Rajini’s wife Latha, Jaya Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and her mother Brinda. Kochadaiiyaan is a first of a kind hi-tech 3D film shot with photo-realistic motion capture technology in India. Lauding Soundarya for having taken the pains of using a technology that is at par with Hollywood standards, Amitabh who was the chief guest for the night said, “I am finding it difficult to find words to express what we have witnessed right now. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge that it is a woman who has directed this kind of a movie. With the kind of struggle that our nation is going through, it is commendable that Soundarya has done this. She has taken a step forward and showed that women in India are capable of doing the best.” Recollecting his heydays with Rajini, Amitabh said, “Rajini and I are very close. We are like family. In spite of achieving so much, he is still very humble. After Robot, he told me that he was bored and wanted to stop working. I told him, ‘please don’t stop working.’ Look what he has produced now. It is unbelievable the way he reinvents himself and has something new to offer every time. When history of Indian cinema will be written, it would be before Kochadaiiyaan and after Kochadaiiyaan.” Reams have been written about Rajini’s massive fan following. Fanatics apparently even perform special pujas before the release of Rajini’s movies. Acknowledging the strength of his massive fan base, Amitabh said, “To witness Rajini’s fan following, one must go to South. You will never get a ticket on the day his movie opens. His fans fill up theaters and not all get to see his film on the first day. Even after procuring a ticket, if one goes to see the film, one wouldn't be able to hear anything as fans keep screaming, applauding. It is just amazing. I hope theaters are filled for Kochadaiiyaan for years and years.” Showering praise on Soundarya for creating a visual spectacle was also Shekhar Kapur and Ramesh Sippy. “This film is going to be a game changer and your father should be very proud of you today,” remarked Shekhar. Meanwhile Ramesh Shippy who directed Amitabh in one of his biggest hits ever, Sholay said, “I am privileged to be here with the big guns of Indian cinema. I congratulate and I am proud of Soundarya for taking our cinema a step ahead. I wish the film all the success." A modest Rajinikanth looked elated at seeing veterans congratulating and appreciating his beloved daughter’s work. The happy superstar later said, “All veteran actors and directors I have worked with have praised my daughter today.” Though Kochadaiiyaan’s release date has not yet been decided after being postponed, it is believed that the movie will open on an unprecedented 6000 screens later this summer. A certified blockbuster, even before it has hit the cinema halls, we say.