Rajnikanth 3D movie costs touch Rs.600 million

Chennai, May 10 (IANS) The cost of Ocher Studios-Adlabs-Warner Bros venture "Sultan, The Warrior" featuring an animated Rajnikanth in a full length 3D movie touched Rs.600 million, said sources from its financier Exim Bank Saturday.

"The costliest movie in Indian film history is expected to generate business of at least Rs.2.25 billion going by the interest indicated by the distributors following the distribution of over 1,500 prints of its second promo in cinemas," a source told IANS.

"It began as a small Rs.60 million venture, but the unprecedented success of Shivaji last year saw it zoom past Rs.220 million and has now touched ten times its original envisaged cost," another source acquainted with the deal revealed.

While Ocher Studios is owned by Saundarya, daughter of superstar Rajnikanth, Adlabs is owned by Anil Ambani.

Tamil actor Ajith Kumar has been signed to play a key role in Ocher Studios' untitled solo maiden venture, Saundarya told reporters Saturday.

Work on the Ocher-Warner Bros joint venture, a sequel to Kumar's latest hit "Billa" (third remake of 1978 Hindi hit "Don") will begin in April next year, its publicists added.

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