STORIES about superstar Rajinikanth's generosity are legendary. His latest act of philanthropy was during this week's music release of his forthcoming starrer, the Tamil film Kuselan. The 100-odd technicians in the film were surprised to receive a total of Rs4.5 million (SR450,000) from Rajni, the film producer Vijay Kumar and director P. Vasu who had pooled in part of their fees to raise the amount. “In my endeavor to help the unsung heroes of the film industry – the technicians – I have networked (with Kumar and Vasu) to donate Rs1.5 million from their overflow and fees, respectively, and added a similar amount from my emoluments,” Rajnikanth announced to thunderous applause from the audience of technicians in Chennai. Kuselan is a remake of Malayalam hit Katha Parayumbol starring Mammooty. It is said to cost of Rs600 million, The storyline is about a film star helping an old acquaintance. It also stars actresses Nayanthara and Meena. Director Vasu told reporters that though the movie depicts Rajnikanth in 20 different get-ups, including as an Egyptian Pharaoh, it is not an effort to belittle Kamal Haasan whose Dasavatharam featured him in 10 roles. According to the movie's publicists, Kuselan is an effort on Rajnikanth's part to help his mentor and director K. Balachander. “When producers said I had to do it sans a big advance on a shoestring budget, I agreed because I liked its story,” Rajnikanth said. The Tamil and Telugu versions of the film are expected to be released later this month with over 450 prints in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
