It is perhaps befitting that when at last India India
The unprecedented hype surrounding the film goes beyond Bollywood's wildest dreams and as the movie mandarins in Mumbai watch with their mouths agape the wave of excitement that has taken over the southern states and beyond, even the media has been forced to take note - and action.
So, the coverage begins with apologetic debates on comparing Bollywood's biggest star, Amitabh Bachchan, with Rajinikanth. The fans of Rajini, as he is fondly referred to, will tell you there is none.
And that's not because of the finances. Commanding Rs170 million per film, Rajini rakes in more than what two of Bollywood's best manage to take home. And it's not because of the marketing. While his contemporaries in the movie industry in other parts of India
No comparisons, because their icon has never hinted at any rivalry with any of his colleagues. Nor has he entertained the trivial Bollywood versus others debates.
In creating his own brand and staying away from others, Rajinikanth has ensured that there is no comparison simply because from his point of view, there is no competition.
From his modest life as a bus conductor, Rajinikanth, whose real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, is not even originally from Tamil Nadu. The earlier part of his career saw him work on the so-called "off-beat" films that actors traditionally embark on after establishing themselves. So when the 50-something old is criticised for adopting a formulaic approach with a singular focus on entertainment, the reality is that Rajinikanth's experiments with roles and histrionic challenges came at a time when any actor with superstar ambitions would have been busy creating and cultivating an image.
At first watch, a typical Rajinikanth film might seem shallow, over-the-top, high on brand Rajini, and even low on intellect. But, to those seeking a genuine understanding of world cinema's various sensibilities, a genuine Rajinikanth experience is a must. His audiences are not the intelligentsia - although they are welcome and can even be spotted on many an occasion. His scripts may not necessarily be tight and well-crafted - although every time he delivers a thunderous dialogue, his viewers clap, whistle and whip up a frenzy in the front-row seats. He lights cigarettes with bullets. He flicks his hair and his enemies quiver. He shifts from slapstick to serious with ease within the same movie.
Deifying actors
It was the fans of Rajini, who created the trend of deifying actors. They quite literally, and honestly, worship him. His appeal extends to Japan
As TV channels wonder whether he has wrongly been denied the status of an Indian superstar, they might want to take a large chunk of the blame.
In not questioning the self-anointment of the guys and dolls of the Hindi film industry as ambassadors of Indian cinema and always referring to the likes of Rajinikanth as regional superstars, it might be the right time to expedite a review of terms and choice of wording in their reports.
Vinita Bharadwaj is an independent writer based in Dubai