‘Darbar’, coming in the direction of ‘Ghajini’ and ‘Thuppaki’ helmer AR Murugadoss, has the legendary Rajinikanth in the lead. Presented by Subaskaran of Lyca Productions, which bankrolls huge movies, this film has the Superstar in the role of a cop named Aditya Arunachalam. To hit the screens as a Sankranthi treat, it will be released by the famous producer NV Prasad in the Telugu States. The film will hit the screens as a Sankranthi special, on January 9.
The big-ticket action-drama’s pre-release event was held in Hyderabad’s Shilpakala Vedika on Friday evening. It saw the presence of the film’s cast and crew members. An action-packed release promo was unveiled on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Ram-Lakshman duo said, “We had been wanting to do a Tamil movie and this is when Rajini sir offered us this movie. We felt extremely delighted. Murugadoss sir’s movies have a socially-relevant message in his movies. We will never forget the experience of working with Rajini sir.”
Vamsi Paidipally said, “Rajini sir’s life is a great inspiration. I have always loved Murugadoss’s working style. The audience have been wanting to see his film in combination with Rajini sir. I wish Anirudh, Santosh Sivan garu, Nivetha Thomas and others all the best. I wish Subaskaran sir, who is making big movies, all the best.”
Maruthi said, “The trailer and songs are great. It’s like watching a new Rajini sir altogether. I am excited to watch ‘Darbar’.”
Dil Raju said, “I was bowled over when I watched the final seconds of the film’s trailer. I am eagerly waiting for the movie. AR Murugadoss sir can do magic in any language. When I watched ‘Jeevana Poratam’, I tried to imitate Rajini sir as a kid. But I couldn’t. I wish that this film becomes a big hit.”
Harish Shankar said, “I have come here not as a director. I had never met Rajini sir before this. So, I came here today as his fan, wanting to take a pic with me. In this digital age, competition is witnessed over maximum hits, etc. But Rajini sir broke all records without the Internet, without big events, much publicity, etc decades ago. That’s how he became close to the Telugus. No matter which language he does a film in, the audience feel that Rajini sir is theirs. Murugadoss sir’s films have a social conscience and he is one of the greatest directors. Anirudh is doing a lot of Telugu movies. I wish him all the best.”
BVSN Prasad said that the film will definitely become a superhit because big men are associated with it.
Nivetha Thomas said, “Even though I observed Rajini sir during the making of the film, watching his energy in the trailer still amazed me. We like Vijay sir, or Ajith sir, or Mahesh Babu sir, or Pawan Kalyan sir, or Allu Arjun sir, or Nani.. But the one actor all these stars love is Rajini sir. His films are not seen as dubbed movies by the Telugu audience. Murugadoss sir believed that I can do this role and I thank him for that.”
Actor Dalip Tahil described Rajinikanth as one of the greatest superstars of the globe. “The style that Rajini bhai has, the swag he has is something I have not seen in any industry anywhere over the last 40 years,” he added.
Cinematographer Santosh Sivan said, “My first film with Rajini sir was ‘Dalapathy’. He looks young and energetic even now. It becomes easy to be a cinematographer of such an actor. Rajini sir’s radiance is unmatched.”
Suneil Shetty said, “By far I had one of my finest experiences working on the movie. At the helm, you have a director like Murugadoss sir. Santosh sir is a legend. With just a mobile phone, he can shoot better than 90 percent of cinematographers. Anirudh’s music is breathtaking. The entire team of Lyca Productions is outstanding. Rajini sir is a God of cinema. We all have a Rajini sir in us. All of us actors have copied something or the other from him. Above all, he is one of the finest humans. Being grounded and being a good human being is more important than anything else in the world.”
AR Murugadoss said, “My greetings to Superstar Rajinikanth sir’s fans. ‘Darbar’ is a very important film for me. After doing 13 films, I got the opportunity to work with the Superstar. This is also my first cop story. This is a pan-Indian film that needed the right sort of production house. Lyca Productions’ Subaskaran sir is a hero in real life. In the future, his life story might be made as a biopic. As for the film’s cast, I thank Nayanthara, Nivetha Thomas and others. Yogi Babu’s comedy is cool. Ram-Lakshman’s master’s stunt choreography is novel. A fight in the second half will have the audience clapping non-stop for five minutes. You will see the vintage Rajini sir in it. I thank music director Anirudh, whose songs and BGM are superb. Suneil Shetty sir has played a strong role as the antagonist. Art Director Santhanam sir, Executive Producer Sundarrajan, and others are incredible. ‘Darbar’ is a family entertainer. Go watch it on January 9.” ARM introduced his Assistant Directors and appreciated their hard work.
As he took the mike to speak, Superstar Rajinikanth was greeted with loud cheers. Rajini said, “I didn’t expect that this event will be this big. NV Prasad garu usually goes in for low-profile events. I guess he is damn sure that ‘Darbar’ will be a big hit. I am still the lead man at this age only because of the love of fans, the encouragement they show. I owe my energy and happiness to my belief that we have to expect less, eat modestly, sleep normally, exercise well and talk less. If you do these things, you will be happy forever. It was in 1976 that ‘Anthuleni Katha’ released in Telugu. 99 percent of those who are here today were not even born then. The Telugus love me as much as the Tamils. They have always encouraged good movies. My movies have done very well in Telugu not just because of me. During the making of a film, some magic has to happen. But that’s not in our hands. ‘Darbar’ felt like magic during the making stage. I had been wanting to work with Murugadoss for years. It finally happened with this film. Subaskaran is a very good friend of mine. He is such a good man and a huge businessman. He is now producing ‘Ponniyin Selvan’, which is a magnum opus like the ‘Baahubali’ movies. A subject like ‘Darbar’ is not easy to make. The story treatment, the technical elements have given life. The Ram-Lakshman duo are like Yogis. They are not ordinary. I have done 160 movies. ‘Darbar’ will be special. Suneil Shetty and others have done a very good job. I pray to God to give you all happiness.”
Cast & Crew
With Nayanthara as the hero’s pair, the big-ticket mass entertainer has Nivetha Thomas as Rajinikanth’s daughter. Bollywood actor Suneil Shetty, Yogi Babu, Thambi Ramaiah, Sriman, Pratheik Babbar, Jatin Sarna, Nawab Shah, Dalip Tahil and others are part of the cast.
PRO: Naidu Surendra Kumar-Phani, B.A. Raju. Fights: Peter Hein, Ram-Lakshman. Lyricist: Anantha Sriram, Krishnakanth. Art Direction: T Santanam. Editor: Srikar Prasad. Executive Producer: Sundar Raj. Cinematography: Santosh Sivan. Music: Anirudh Ravichandran. Production House: Lyca Productions. Written and directed by: AR Murugadoss. Producer: Subaskaran.