Rajinikanth behind Lingaa disaster.KS Ravikumar: "Rajinikanth's Interference Led to 'Linga's' Failure". A recent interview with veteran director KS Ravikumar has stirred controversy, with the filmmaker placing the blame for the box office failure of "Linga" squarely on superstar Rajinikanth. While Ravikumar and Rajinikanth have a history of successful collaborations ("Muthu" and "Narasimha"), "Linga" stands out as a notable misstep.
Ravikumar, in the interview, revealed that the rushed release of "Linga" on Rajinikanth's birthday, December 12th, led to a compromise on the film's quality. He claimed that the climax, which featured a balloon fight that was widely ridiculed, was a result of the pressure to meet the deadline. He further alleged that Rajinikanth's interference in the editing process, including the removal of a crucial twist scene and a planned song featuring Anushka Shetty, contributed to the film's underwhelming second half.
While Ravikumar expressed his criticisms with a gentle tone, Rajinikanth fans have reacted strongly to his statements, criticizing the director for blaming the superstar for the film's shortcomings.
This revelation has reignited the debate about the creative control that actors exert on their films. While some argue that actors have a right to be involved in the creative process, others contend that excessive interference can compromise the director's vision.
This controversy also raises questions about the pressure to meet release deadlines, especially in the context of a star's birthday. While fan expectations and marketing strategies are significant factors, it begs the question of whether compromising artistic integrity for a specific release date ultimately serves the film's best interests.
This incident highlights the complexities of collaboration in the film industry, particularly when dealing with mega-stars like Rajinikanth. The debate about creative control, release deadlines, and the impact on a film's quality is sure to continue in the wake of Ravikumar's revelations.