12 Jun – Adding fuel to the fires of anticipation surrounding Tamil blockbuster Sivaji The Boss' release, the situation in Malaysia is not echoing the mad ticket rush in Chennai because the option for advance ticket sales appears impossible amidst the installation of digital projection systems at some local cinemas to accommodate the film. Mr. Chitra Letchmana, co-ordinator of Pyramid Saimira Theatre Chain for Malaysia, told Cinema Online that the opening date is now confirmed to be on June 15, as it is worldwide. "By tonight, the technicians would have made digital installations in about 15 locations for cinemas that have requested it especially for screening Sivaji. Some of these are in Penang, Butterworth and Ipoh. I know that we have one installation tomorrow in Sentul. We target to have more than 20 done before the screening." In most other cinemas, however, Sivaji will be played in 35mm format.
Local cinema chains have responded to the Sivaji suspense with mixed reactions. Industry giants, TGV Cinemas and Golden Screen Cinemas, are not accepting bookings for Sivaji yet out of speculation that the film print may not make it in time for its announced 15 June opening. Sivaji The Boss showcases the major industry heavyweights – Rajnikanth, the 53-year-old powerhouse actor who is inescapable to Indian movie-goers, A.R. Rahman, the undisputed soundtrack composer with over 100 million records sold worldwide, and director extraordinaire S. Shankar who has churned out eight consecutive blockbusters to critical acclaim.
GSC staff at Mid Valley told Cinema Online that tickets for Sivaji The Boss may not be available until perhaps only the opening day itself. Promotional standees of Sivaji The Boss were only spotted on the premises today. They did not display any opening date. However, Operations Manager Mr. Yoges of Federal Cinema, Kuala Lumpur said that the smaller cinemas have started selling tickets today. "You can come and buy tickets from Federal today itself, no problem. We even have a limited screening of Sivaji on July 14 (Thursday) along with Fantastic Four," he said. Sivaji The Boss opens in Malaysia on June 15.