Sivaji !!

It has been a VERY interesting last week - several of my medium term financial, professional & personal goals have been put in to much clearer perspective.

Terminology like: Rapidly changing business practices, Industrial climate, excessive dependence on one business model, financial discipline, consistency etc. are showing their true significance.

Now heres something fresh, finally watched 'Sivaji' on Thursday. Incredible, its been running 9 shows housefull for 4-5 weeks now !!

10 observations:

1. Sivaji is an out and out Rajini Movie. No logic, its all, u know, Style

2. The quality of each frame shows - Great technical work - It HAS to be said

3. It is said that 'Sivaji' is the MOST expensive movie ever made in India costing in excess of 90 crores & so far, it has generated revenues of 350 crores worldwide - nearing/near surpassing 'Sholay's' TOTAL collection. Whew!

4. The Music - BGM is good. But with all Rajni music - the music does not appeal to you immediately - it sort of grows on you - after watching the visuals on screen and all - its true for 'sivaji' as well.

5. The Music videos are great - possibly with the exception of "Oru Koodai sunlight". The money can literally be seen being thrown. For eg. the recreation of some kind of a babylonian harem in "Vaaji vaaji.." is probably the best looking, best lighted set ive ever seen (vis-a-vis Devdas etc.)

6. Shankar movies use graphics a wee bit too much - which often ends up making the whole effort cheap looking - Its ok in 'Sivaji' - but sometimes, this 'white skin' etc.. is not too funny and appears somewhat clumsy.

7. This new RAP lyrics thing in all new Rahman's Tamil movies is becoming a wee bit repetitive & irritating - with the exception of the climax score in 'Sivaji'

8. An interesting analysis of the economics - Pirates of the Caribbean - At the World's End - is the BIGGEST movie ever - and it made roughly 949 Million USD worldwide - and it cost - 225 USD to make. Sivaji interestingly costed 22.5 Million USD to make and has made 87.5 mn USD to date.

Pirates made roughly 67.5% abroad and the rest 32.5% in the US. And considering the scale of promotions, number of screens and the potential worldwide audience pool, English language etc. it has made only 10 times the amount of money 'Sivaji' has made and has costed 10 times what Sivaji has costed.

It also goes to show why theres more scope - The biggest chinese film ever- Crouching tiger hidden dragon - made about 213 Mn USD Worldwide

- I dunno - maybe some Hollywood studio must meet up Rajini and THINK of a nice storyline, a Great script - which can make a movie with Inherent merit AND something which can leverage Rajini's inherent 'Style'

9. I am however, going to be a buyer of Media stocks like Adlabs films, Zeetele, TV18, NDTV whenever the current market slips :) looks like good longtime fun.

10. Coming back to Sivaji - If i watch Sivaji for a second time - it will be ONLY for Shriya - Her provocative costumes & more provocating,um, shall we say, 'dancing' carries most of the songs and finally made my day.

:))