ATHLETES SLOG FOR MEDALS, RAJNIKANTH RAKES IN MILLLIONS FROM MOVIE 'ROBOT'

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- While international athletes are piling up
priceless medals from the Commonwealth Games here, popular South Indian
superstar Rajnikanth is quietly raking in millions from his latest movie which
he co-acted with Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Gate collections have tipped a staggering RM8 million (US$1=RM3.08) in the
first week, after the movie was released nationwide, beating the action-packed
Dabangg whose lead hero is Bollywood heartthrob Salman Khan.

Rajnikanth's latest movie has now surpassed Salman's highest first-week
revenue generated from his Dabangg which earned about RM5.8 million.

After a three-year hiatus, the bus-conductor-turned movie actor, born
Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, released 'Robot' as the Hindi version was called in north
India, or 'Endhiran' in the south.

The 60-year-old Rajnikanth, known for his unique stylish acting in every
movie, plays a dual role as a science professor and super-intelligent robot in
his latest movie, which is big hit across India.

Rai, the former Miss World, plays a lead role in the movie, which was
directed by one of Kollywood's prominent Tamil movie directors, S. Shankar.

The Times of India tagged the movie collection in Tamil Nadu as RM4.2
million in the first week of its release in Chennai, while the collection from
the Hindu version has crossed to more than RM1 million.

'Endhiran' opened in 2,200 screens, as compared to 1,400 for 'Dabangg' on
Oct 1.

"More screens mean more revenue, and this too, has helped 'Robot'. Also,
about 92 per cent of cinema halls are running the film and the collection
continues to be rock steady," reported Times, quoting a trade analyst.

-- BERNAMA