Superstar Rajinikanth, undergoing treatment at a hospital here for gastro intestinal and respiratory problems, is "comfortable" and his vital parameters have returned to "normal" levels, a medical bulletin said today.

"Thorough investigations and appropriate treatment made him comfortable and his vital parameters returned to normal", said the bulletin issued by the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, where the actor was admitted on May 13.

However, Rajinikanth would continue to remain in the Intensive Care Unit to restrict visitors and avoid infections, it said.

"The 61-year-old actor spends time with family members and takes oral diet by himself," the bulletin said.

The actor`s fans continued to perform special prayers in various temples across the state, including the Sri Raghavendra temple in Mylapor here, for his speedy recovery.

PTI

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Chennai: Clearing the air on Tamil superstar Rajinikanth’s illness, who was yesterday admitted to ICU at the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, the sixty-one year old superstar’s wife Latha held a press conference and told the media that Rajinikanth is doing fine.

Thanking all the fans of Rajini, a confident Latha said, “I would like to thank all of you for the love and affection for this family. He is doing fine, all his organs are fine.”

Citing dehydration and stomach infection as the cause of illness, Latha added that, “Do not write more than necessary. Rajini is in ICU because it is a sterile and protected place. Doctors are working to put him in comfortable parameters.”

When enquired about Rajinikanth’s current health, Latha said, “He had infection which is acute. Its medical treatment should not scare people. Doctors are doing a great job. Please respect our privacy. ”

In a lighter vein, Rajinikanth’s wife added, “Please treat Rajinikanth as a human being. He has not come with supernatural body.”

Meanwhile, a senior doctor, who is treating the Tamil superstar said, “A team of doctors are looking after him. Rajini is a hale and hearty man. He has gastro-intestinal problem and respiratory infection.”

Asked about the dialysis, the doctor said, “Dialysis is not only done for renal failure. I can assure you that Rajini is cheerful. He is not suffering from heart disease. He even cracked four jokes with us, ate two idlis and vada.”

Rajinikanth, who suffered from viral fever and exhaustion, was recently admitted to SRMU at suburban Porur days after he was discharged from another hospital where he had been treated for allergic bronchitis and viral fever.

He had suffered from exhaustion on April 29, the first day of the shoot of his new period film `Rana` co-starring Deepika Padukone, which is being directed by K S Ravikumar.

He was admitted to Isabel Hospital in the city and discharged the same day, only to be readmitted there on May 4 for allergic bronchitis and viral fever.

His family had last week dismissed reports that his health had deteriorated.

-Spicezee

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Superstar Rajinikanth has been hospitalised for the second time in a week. He was admitted to the Isabel hospital in Chennai on Wednesday night and is being treated for allergic bronchitis and high fever.

Hopsital sources described the 60-year-old actors condition as "stable". He will be in the Intensive Care Unit for two days, his family said. The family has appealed to fans not to come to the hospital as doctors have advised him to rest.

On April 29, last Friday, the actor was admitted to the same hospital briefly for exhaustion and dehydration. He was discharged the same day.

Rajinikanth is currently shooting for his latest film `Rana`, in which he plays a triple role. The film, in which he is paired opposite Bollywood heroine, Deepika Padukone, went on the floors the day Rajini was first hospitalised.

His millions of fans all over are praying for a speedy recovery across social networking sites.

PTI

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Dabangg is box-office history. And now Sonu Sood is gearing up to create history again with the Hindi-Tamil-Telugu trilingual Rana, which features Rajnikanth in a triple role, and has Sood as the main baddie.

He was confirmed a week ago.“I’ve seen Robot twice, once with my friends and then with my family. And I was spellbound by the film’s special effects and Rajni sir’s star charisma.

In a week’s time, I start shooting Buddha with Mr Bachchan (Amitabh Bachchan) and then, in April, I will be working with Rajni sir.

Imagine a small-town boy with no film background working with legends that we’ve grown up idolising and still in awe of. I feel blessed,” marvels Sood.

Rajnikanth was reportedly keen on casting the Bollywood actor for the much-coveted negative role after seeing him as Cheddi Singh in Dabangg and Pasupathi in the Tamil blockbuster, Arundhati.

He was also impressed with his act in Jodhaa-Akbar, as Rana is a period-action film along the lines of the Hollywood hit, 300.

“Rajni sir hugged me the day we met and said he was looking forward to working with me. I can’t wait for the camera to roll,” says Sood.

Rana, directed by KS Ravi Kumar of Muthu and Narasimha fame, will be shot in India and abroad with foreign technicians. It’s touted to be the most expensive Indian film ever made.

Deepika Padukone is the leading lady, and the film has music by AR Rahman. Robot cameraman Ratnavelu returns as the cinematographer.

The film is being co-produced by Eros International and Ocher Studios, the production house run by Soundarya Rajinikanth.

Meanwhile, work on the script of Dabangg 2 is on and it is expected to start by the year-end. Cheddi’s twin returns to avenge his death in the sequel and Sood says, “Dabangg is a huge brand today and the responsibility will now be greater.”

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The South Indian superstar to play character based on Lord Krishna. SMS jokes doing the rounds like ’Even Ghajini remembers Rajni’ and ’Dinosaurs owed Rajni money, that was the last time they were seen on Earth’ indicate that people believe there is nothing that South Indian superstar Rajnikanth can’t do after his unbelievable theatrics in Robot. It is only fitting, then, that Rajni, in his next film, plays God!

TOI has learned that Rajni’s daughter Soundarya has changed the name of her forthcoming production, the ambitious 3D film initially titled Sultan – The Warrior, to Hara. And the lead character now will be like Lord Krishna. This decision was taken probably after the frenzy that followed Robot as people made a demi-God out of their iconic matinee idol.

Hara will see Rajnikanth play the role of an armour-clad hero who saves the world from dire straits. The film that is slated for release in 12 languages, is a period film on the lines of Troy. Soundarya will add new mannerisms to her father’s on-screen persona that include familiar moves like him tossing a cigarette in the air and seeing it fall right between his lips.

Rajnikanth’s fan base has swollen since his last release and people are ready to accept whatever he does. "This film will just put it out in a more blatant form," says a production source from Chennai. When contacted, an official from Soundarya’s side confirmed about the details of the development.

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Following the footsteps of Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron, director Shankar has decided to re-release his recent movie Endhiran in 3D Format with few additional sequences. The latest new is that the director and Sun Pictures are planning to release the film with 3D version.

Producer Kalanidhi Maaran and Sun Pictures COO are in the process of releasing the second version in 3D format. They are planning to dubb the film in English. Earlier, they had talks with HBO to promote the film western countries, but did not happen due to some reasons.

Previously, there were news about the film being released in 3D version and was later dropped as, many theatres in Tamil Nadu. But lack of 3D screens made producers to drop their plans.

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Film: "Robot"; Music Director: A.R. Rahman; Singers: Srinivas D, Khatija Rahman, Mohit Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal, Rahman, Suzanne, Kash 'N' Krissy, Pradeep Vijay, Pravin Mani, Rags, Yogi B, Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam, Benny Dayal, Naresh Iyer, Javed Ali, Chinmayi, Madhushree, Keerthi Sagathia and Tanvi Madhushree; Rating: **

There are many factors that compel you to have high expectations from the soundtrack of director Shankar's forthcoming film "Robot" - it is one of the most expensive films of the year, it stars Rajnikant and Aishwarya Rai and, most importantly, the music has been composed by Oscar-winning music director A.R. Rahman.

In spite of all these factors, the music of "Robot" doesn't impress that much. It lacks the punch and the wow factor that Rahman's songs are known for.

The album has seven tracks.

The soundtrack of "Robot" begins with "O naye insaan", sung by Rahman's daughter Khatija Rahman and Srinivas D. The slow-paced track is a gloomy one and is sung in a way that it seems a robot is singing it. It's a situational track. Even though it is not such a treat to hear, the song might look good on screen.

Next is a romantic song "Pyaara tera gussa hai", which has something like a scientific language. With Mohit Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal behind the mike, it has some weird lyrics, maybe because the film features a robot.

Then comes "Naina mile". The fast-paced number is sung by Rahman along with Suzzane and Kash 'N' Krissy. It fails to make a mark.

Strong orchestration marks the arrival of "Arima arima". Sung by Hariharan and Sadhana Sargam, the song describes the protagonist of the film. This is also a situational number and and not hummable.

Up next is the song called "Kilimanjaro", a very strange title for a song. Javed Ali and Chinmayi have crooned this peppy track that talks about a girl from the hills. It is better than others but doesn't exude the charm of Rahman's compositions.

Then comes the title track of the film in two versions. One titled "Chitti dance showcase" and the other "Boom boom robo da".

"Chitti..." sung by Pradeep Vijay, Pravin Mani, Rags and Yogi B fluctuates between slow and fast beats, while "Boom Boom..." voiced by Madhushree, Keerthi Sagathia and Tanvi Shah along with Rags and Yogi B is a fast number with a hip hop flavour.

Unfortunately, none of the versions really appeal to the listeners.

On the whole, the music of "Robot" does not appeal. They may suit the script of the sci-film, but the audio is not impressive.

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When he made his last public appearance in Mumbai 15 years ago, Rajnikanth didn't anticipate that the next one would take so long and generate such hysteria. But in the decade and half gone by, his stardom has only grown manifold.

Perhaps no other Indian actor has a R 150-crore movie riding on him. On Saturday night, everyone present at the music launch of Robot (Enthiran in Tamil, Telugu), waited to hear Rajnikanth speak.

And he held the audience's attention with his sense of humour. Talking about his sci-fi extravaganza, the superstar said, "Kamal Haasan was first supposed to do the role, then Shah Rukh Khan was approached. I don't know what happened... 'Daane daane pe likha hai khaanewaale ka naam' (It's my destiny that I'm the hero of the film)."

He added, "I'm thankful to the director, Shankar, for having confidence in me."

Rajnikanth also thanked Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for agreeing to act opposite him, as he recalled an instance when a fan was shocked to learn that she was playing his heroine. "My neighbours had guests visiting from Rajasthan. The patriarch of the visiting family wondered what happened to my hair and I said they're gone.

He asked me whether I'd retired from the movies and I replied that I'm doing a sci-fi film. After I told him that Aishwarya Rai is the heroine, he wanted to know who the hero is. When I answered that I'm playing the hero, his jaw dropped. He wondered what was wrong with Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan to have let Aishwarya agree to be my heroine," recalled the actor, leaving everyone in the audience, including the Bachchan family in splits.

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