Endhiran : The Robot  
1 Apr 09, 08:22pm

Alternative: Enthiram
Telugu: Yanthram
Cast: Rajnikanth,Aishwarya Rai
Director: S.Shankar
Cinematography: R. Ratnavel
Art: Sabu Cyril
Lyrics: Vairamuthu, P A Vijay
Editing: Antony
Choreography: Raju Sundaram
Costume Design: Manish Malhotra
Banner: Sun Pictures
Release: April 14, 2010

In months we are going to witness a movie by Indian director and Indian artists which will match the standards of a hollywood film. Indians will be proud to show this film to foreigners.

Out-of-the-box director Shankar and Boss of Box office Rajnikanth is bringing another creative effort which will shatter the boundries of Indian films. No other director in Indian film is puting soo much effort into his film and is equally successful with the audience each time. While many other directors are trying to make a film to make money Shanker is creating newer standards for his collegue directors to follow.

The official publicity for Yendiran has been released through media with posters put up in all the cities in Tamilnadu. The heroine Aishwarya Rai who was the former Miss Universe and currently numero uno Bollywood actress’ name also appears with equal importance in the publicity of Endiran.

So much drama was involved before the selection of superstar Rajnikanth. Sharukh Khan was planned for the role,but due to creative differences he had with Shanker, King Khan withdrew from the project and later Aamir khan was approached by Shanker’s men with no results what so ever.

The film is shot with atmost secrecy but the media has speculated the thread which goes like this. The story is about a maverick scientist who creates a robot and later runs into trouble with his creation. According to the story written by late writer Sujatha’s novels En Iniya Iyanthira and Jeeno, there are two powerful characters in the film. Grapevine is that the superstar is playing both the roles; one the human and other the powerful robot.

The name of Aiswarya’s Charecter is Nila and there will be an important character Jeano, the Machine Dog with the sense power of the humans which is expected to entertain the children coming to theatres.

In Yenthiran Aiswarya Rai is a medical student who looks forward for challenging opportunities. The nationally acclaimed scientist Rajini wants to keep her as an assistant for his new project on Robotics. So, he goes to persuade her. she acts not keen enough to work for Rajni.

The guessing game continues as the Rajanikaanth’s fans are in need of more news about Yanthiran.

Yendiran is expected as a film which no one other than S.Shanker could do.
Oscar award winner A.R. Rahman creates music for the film.

Robot’s shoot was launched in Brazil.

Two songs are to be shot at beautiful locations in America.

Shankar has chosen to look beyond Kollywood, beyond Bollywood and into Hollywood for talents and professionals to use in his Magnum Opus.

Stan Winston Studio which has worked for Predator, Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, Iron man, Terminator and I Robot is doing Animatronics.

Yuen Woo Ping who handled stunt for many Hollywood movies like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Matrix and Kill Bill is making his debut for an Indian film by working for Endiran - The Robot

The Costume Designer of Men in Black, Batman Returns, Inspector Gadget: is designing the scientific outfits.

All this world renowned specialists comes together for this film which makes it the first of its kind Indian movie.

Hollywood companies like ILM, Tippet, Café EFX; and Hong Kong companies like Centro and Menfond are going to work in the field of VFX.

Visual Effects and Animatronics co-ordination is by done by Indian Artiste.

Shooting Spots

The lavish set of Endhiran, starring the South superstar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, was destroyed by the dreaded cyclone that hit Chennai.

The shooting for Endiran took place in many places including a studio in Saligramam, VIT etc. Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai have participated in Endhiran’s shooting in these places.

Anyone watching the shoot continuously for a few days get confused regarding the number of roles that Superstar is acting. Because one day he is spotted with Neat full shirt and jeans in a french beard as Scientist., the very next day in another metallic look.

Camera phones or Digital cameras were not allowed inside the shooting set. Peru is another shooting location for Endiran.

Sujata

Endhiran- The Robot, was affected by the demise of Sci Fi thriller writer Sujatha. He had been a novelist, trusted associate and screen writer for Shankar.

Shanker is unhappy as his associate is far away from him to give proper advise so it is heard that he is seeking help writer Balakumaran to fill the void. Balakumaran was the wrier who had earlier worked with Shankar in Gentleman, Kadhalan and Jeans.

The script works were compleated early. But Shankar is not contented as he wont get further inputs from his trusted partner.

Shankar seems to have approached hollywood director Manoj Night Shyamalan, who is known for making films like Sixth Sense, The Village, Unbreakable, Signs and The Happening. Even though Shyamalan is considered as a horror thriller specialist and he knows how to keep audience on their toes and give them surprises.


Criticism for Big Budget films

Sivaji was shot for a whopping Rs 80 crore and made history, the new film is Yendiran is expected to cost more than Rs 100 crores and make Sivaji a history.

Not everyone is happy about films like this. Some people say that this money should have been used to alleviate the condition of poverty stricken people in our country. There are people who took resolution not to see big budget films in theatres.

But if everyone retired from creating luxurious art works their wouldn’t have been a Taj Mahal or any such grand creations which all human beings are proud of.
Critics say high budget movies which spend money in other countries and shoot in foreign locations should be taxed heavily than the films which are shot here.

Yanthiran - The Robot, forthcoming magnum opus under Shankar's direction is silently taking shape outside the reach of media and ordinary people.

Endhiran is expected to release on April 14, 2010.