Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai on South Scope Magazine - Photos

Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai on South Scope

Aishwarya's Tamil love

After doing her fourth Tamil film, 'Endhiran', Aishwarya Rai claims to be far more comfortable working in the southern language. She also feels it is the kind of entertainer most leading actresses do though she hasn't done too many of them.

"I am definitely far more comfortable and more confident working in the language. I won't risk breaking into a conversation because I don't do that on a daily basis," Aishwarya said.

"Probably because I have travelled so much, I am familiar with the language. It's easy on the ear. I understand it, but I respect the language; so I don't want to break into a conversation in it, unless it's a group which is very forgiving about grammatical errors!"

"You learn dialogues, they are constructed sentences already, but I am far more confident today than I was during 'Iruvar' or 'Jeans'," said Aishwarya. She has also done the bilingual 'Raavan'.

Filmmaker S. Shankar made his latest, a sci-fi flick, in two languages - 'Endhiran' in Tamil and 'Robot' in Hindi - and released them simultaneously Oct 1. Made at a whopping budget of Rs.175 crore ($38 million), it's the costliest Indian film ever.

Aishwarya maintains that her character was easy to essay and she has rarely done films in the typical entertainment genre, unlike many leading heroines.

"The character was not difficult to get into the skin of. It's a kind of role that any leading heroine would do. Probably the kind of roles that a lot of leading heroines do in their career, in my case it has been rare.

"I have not done this kind of character very often in a typical entertaining genre, the kind of character a leading heroine would get.

"He (Shankar) has a made an entertaining film. He has taken entertainment to the next level and has introduced something technically much ahead of what we have seen in recent times. So for me to go on set, it was more exciting to see the film come together. In terms of my contribution, I was just happy to work in this film," said Aishwarya.

This was her second film with Shankar after 'Jeans' in 1998.

Asked what changes she noticed in Shankar as a director, she said: "I think now I know him better. 'Jeans' so early in my career, unlike any newcomers, I was associated with multiple projects at the very first year of my career.

"I was constantly experiencing a different set ambience and a different film I was working in. So, that time we were discovering each other. For me films were new, the technical aspect of films was new and I was working in Tamil. From then till today, we know each other much better."

Chitti is coming to India

Chitti, the robot used in Shankar's film Robot, is coming to India. Its makers are keen to have the android here for the promotions of the Rajnikant-Aishwarya Rai film.

Though the rent of bringing it to India costs a whopper running into crores the makers are determined. The robot is in the Stan Winston Studio in California.

Says Shankar, "Yes, we are planning to fly down the android to India for our promotional activities." Chitti can act, speak, dance, give interviews. What more do you need for promotions?

Rajnikant spent 17 hrs in a bathtub!

For a scene in Robot, Rajnikant was confined to spending 17 hours in a bathtub! Without hesitating or asking for a body double, Rajni readily agreed to lay confined in the water.

The team gave the superstar vitamin supplements every two hours, so that he didn't feel weak as he had to forego food and water.

Says Shankar, the director of Robot, "Rajnikant is a thorough professional and dedicated, even though the scene was physically taxing."

Aishwarya's 'Endhiran' release postponed

The Aishwarya Rai-Rajnikant starrer 'Endhiran' will now release on October 1, instead of the original release date of September 24. Sun Pictures, who have produced the movie, announced the decision today (September 18).

The movie is believed to be Indian cinema's most expensive because of its special effects, and it's also been in the news for bringing together Aishwarya and Rajnikant for the first time.

'Endhiran', which is directed by Shankar, was originally supposed to release with 'Anjaana Anjaani' that stars Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. It was meant to be the next big release after Salman Khan's 'Dabangg'.

We wonder if 'Dabangg' doing so well at the box office has anything to do with postponing the release date of 'Endhiran'. After 'Raavan', Ash does need a hit badly, and this is one of the movies we think she'd counting on.

Rajni makes an exception

Rajnikanth was in Mumbai over the weekend after a long hiatus. The South sensation shuns bashes and events but director Shankar persuaded him to be present for the music launch of Robot.

Along with co-star Aishwarya Rai, he did the honours at a Juhu hotel on Saturday night. Here's who else was there...

Aamir wants to watch Rajni's 'Robot'

Aamir Khan says he is yearning to watch southern superstar Rajnikanth-starrer 'Robot'.

"I am most keen to see 'Robot'. Rajni sir rocks!" Aamir posted on his Facebook page.

The movie, which is called 'Endhiran' in Tamil, also features Aishwarya Rai. Apparently made at a budget of Rs.175 crore ($38 million), it is being lapped up by audiences, particularly in South India.

Actors who have seen the movie are all praise for it, but have pointed to its inordinate length.

Riteish Deshmukh posted on Twitter: "Superstar Rajni! He is a phenomenon. Action in 'Robot' is just what you want to watch as a Rajni fan. Go watch it now - a bit long but worth it."

Actor Tusshar Kapoor opined: "...quite a fun film but a bit long. Rajni looks young and energetic even at this age. No wonder he's such a superstar."

Actress Sameera Reddy went gaga over the 60-year-old actor. "As the No.1 Rajnikanth fan, I am so proud that he has kicked ass at the box office! So proud of you Rajni sir! You are the best!" she tweeted.