Kalaignar TV gets Shivaji channel rights

By: Settu Shankar
Monday, May 28, 2007
The Channel rights of superstar Rajinikanth's film Shivaji has been awarded to Kalaignar TV, owned by the ruling DMK. The Channel has paid huge amount to get the rights of the film amidst heavy competition. Sun TV withdrew from the race after learning that its arch rival Kalaignar TV is interested in purchasing the film.

Shivaji will be released on June 15 in nearly 350 theaters in Tamil Nadu alone. This is a record high in Tamil film history. All the 350 theaters have been preparing with digital effects and other amenities to screen the mega budgeted movie. In Andhra Pradesh, Shivaji will be released in 150 theaters. In Kerala, the original Tamil version will be directly released in 75 theaters.

Talks are going on to release the film in more than 100 theaters in Karnataka. At present, 45 theaters are ready to screen it in Karnataka. AVM sources said that the film is going to be screened in 17 theaters in Bangalore City only.

In the mean time, the channel right of the film is touching a new high in the business. Usually, Sun TV is always in the front seat to purchase the rights of big films like Shivaji. Following its rift with Karunanidhi's family, the DMK will launch a Channel on August 15 to named Kalaignar TV. Since the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is directly involved in this channel, all the producers would like to give their films to Kalaignar TV to be in his good books.

Kalaignar TV has promised the production house to give maximum price for the film than any other Channel. The Sun Network has withdrawn their bid for the film after learning this news.