Rajinikanth’s New 100 Crore Movie

Buoyed by the recent successes of its films down south, Eros International said it is has signed up Tamil superstar Rajinikanth for its next venture to be directed by KV Anand.The name, cast, crew and exact budget of the proposed movie are still being worked out.

“We have already signed the deal for Rajinikanth’s third movie (after Kochadaiyaan and Rana—both under production). This film will be made by KV Anand of Ko fame. The name of the film is yet to be decided,” said Kamal Jain, group chief financial officer—India, Eros International Media. “It’s a Rajini film so it (the budget) would be in the Rs 100-crore league.”

Cinematographer turned director Anand and Rajinikanth could not be reached for their comments.Eros has already signed up Rajinikanth for Kochadaiyaan, which is being shot using motion capture technology and is slated for release in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Along with Kochadaiyaan,

Rajinikanth is also to work on Rana, whose shooting was stalled after the southern actor fell ill.
KV Anand, 47, last worked with Rajinikanth as the cinematographer for director Shankar’s Sivaji: The Boss, which released in 2007. His latest flick Maattrraan starring Suriya and Kajal Aggarwal was distributed by Eros.

In its latest earnings report, Eros said Tamil films played a major role in its healthy profits, particularly Vijay-starrer Thuppakki (The Gun), and had indicated that it would back more films down south.
“We have taken a lead in Hindi industry and we want to create the same footprint in Tamil. We want to capture the Tamil market by making at least three-four films a year,” said Jain.

Eros International acquires, co-produces, and distributes Indian language films in multiple formats. The company was incorporated in 1994 and listed in 2010. Eros coproduces 60% of its movies, while the rest are either acquired or produced.

Some of the big budget movies to which Eros has the rights include Ra One, Housefull, Housefull 2, Ready, Rockstar and Golmaal 3.