The grand audio launch of Superstar Rajinikanth's Darbar is right now happening at Nehru Indoor Stadium amidst the presence of thousands of Thalaivar fans. Directed by A.R.Murugadoss and produced by Lyca, this film is scheduled to hit the screens for the festive occasion of Pongal next year. We at Galatta Media will constantly update our readers with the live updates directly from the event. To have a track of that, follow the thread below and enjoy! 

* Thousands of Thalaivar fans have assembled to witness their favourite star on the stage! 

* The stage looks grand and stylish with colourful lights brimming all around. This is the stage that is going to witness Thalaivar's speech and rockstar Anirudh's raging live performance. 



* The recent 'Chill Bro' sensation and musicians duo Vivek - Mervin are one among the first guests to enter the auditorium! 

* Actor Sriman, who plays an important role in Darbar, is now inside the auditorium.

* Thalaivar's yesteryear classic hit songs like 'My Name is Billa' and 'Vandhenda Paalkaran' are being played and it gets fantastic reception from the fans. 

*Nivetha Thomas enters the auditorium in style and she looks gorgeous! 

* Actor and dance master Raghava Lawrence is one of the chief guests for the event. Being an ardent Thalaivar fan, how will he miss this grand event? 

* The Darbar audio launch is underway with Ramya Subramaniam and Vigneshkanth as the hosts!

* Cinematographer Santosh Sivan, who is working with Rajinikanth after 28 years, becomes the first celebrity on the Darbar audio launch stage. He states, "Rajini sir is a saint. He has a fantastic presence both in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes too!"

* Darbar villain Suniel Shetty takes the stage next. He says, "it is an absolute pleasure and brilliant experience for me to be a part of Darbar and work with Superstar Rajinikanth!"

* And our one and only Superstar Rajinikanth arrives at the Darbar audio launch venue, in style!

* There has been a special AV being played - dedicated to director AR Murugadoss, by his team. The AV has public talking about the director and his films and his association with Thala Ajith and Thalapathy Vijay!

* Darbar director AR Murugadoss takes the stage, to rapturous response from the crowd!

* AR Murugadoss states that he is the seniormost Rajini fan and that he would be happy sitting amongst the audience and cheering than being on stage. As children, we used to eat seeing the moon but I now feel like I have landed on the moon. After Rajini sir, almost all the heroes have some hint of him, in them. There is no difference between Rajini sir's fans and my fans, as I myself am a Rajini fan.

* Producer Subaskaran Alliraja of Lyca Productions, takes the stage.

* The Loyola Dream Team gives a tribute dance performance for Lyca., which ends with the 'Thalaivar Theme' from Darbar!

* Rockstar Anirudh, who has composed the Darbar album, takes the stage! Interestingly, he doesn't come from backstage but goes on from amongst the audience!

* Anirudh states, "There is no such thing as fans for me. Everybody is a Thalaivar fan only and so am I! It was a lifelong dream for me to compose music for a Thalaivar movie and now, it has happened twice! Thank you AR Murugadoss sir for believing in me!" 

* The very first movie I watched in the theatre was Thalaivar's Annamalai. This Pongal will definitely be a huge treat for all Thalaivar fans. Andrum, Indrum, Endrum, orey Superstar dhaan!"

* Aaaand... Thalaivar Rajinikanth makes a stylish grand entry, in full white attire!

* Thalaivar enters the stage after a marana mass BGM and laser lights display the SUPER STAR design!

* Superstar enters to the 'Chumma Kizhi' song playing and greets all the technicians. 

* Dance choreographer Sathish and his team pay a dance tribute to Superstar Rajinikanth!

* Director Shankar arrives...

* Stuntmasters Ram & Lakshman take the stage and thank director AR Murugadoss for trusting them and giving them this opportunity! They state that Rajini sir performed all the stunts by himself without a dupe and add that you will never realise your age while talking to him and he will always think about and talk about his fans and the people only!

* Lyricist Vivek, who wrote 'Chumma Kizhi' comes on to the stage! He says he wrote the song just to tell people about "Rajiniism"! 

* Vivek states, "Rajini sir has so much love and affection in him but in the movie, he'll just tear everyone apart!" This is a very huge responsibility for Anirudh, at a very young age but he is somebody who composes for the fans and their enjoyment!" Talking about director Shankar, he says, "He is such a leading celebrity but while we were talking here, he excused himself and informed me before going to drink water!"

* Vivek adds, "We talk about transgenders so much but actually do nothing for them. We should respect them and there is a whole song in Darbar, dedicated to them!" 

* Nivetha Thomas, who plays Superstar Rajinikanth's daughter in Darbar, comes on stage!

* Nivetha Thomas states that she never even dreamed of acting with Rajinikanth. She professes that she is a huge fan of Anirudh and states that the songs have come out amazingly ("Veri ah")! Nivetha states that shooting for Darbar was like enjoying a carnival with full on song and dance on the sets! 

* Talking about Rajini, she says, "I feel God is always around Rajini sir, protecting him. Earlier it was 'Aandavan Solraan, Arunachalam mudikkiraan!' but going forward after this movie, it will be 'Aandavan Solraan, Aaditya Arunasalam mudippaaru!' Just wait and watch!"

*She asks Rajini a question... Nivetha invites Rajinikanth to her house and states that she will cook with her own hands and serve him and asks if he will come. Rajini gives a thumbs up from where he's sitting! She states that he loves his food and relishes what he eats and this is the reason behind her asking him to come home!

* Arun Vijay comes on stage!

* Talking about Thalaivar, he says that he has been seeing Rajini since childhood and that it seems like magic, every single time. He states that, "Whichever country or place we go to, we can proudly tell that Superstar is from our place! My first shot in front of the camera was by Rajini sir! Right from the time Darbar was announced, the excitement has only been going up! We just can't wait to watch the movie and see how AR Murugadoss sir has shown him on screen!" He states that Rajini has influenced almost all the actors and that they are all just working towards reaching his destination. Talking about Anirudh, "Neenga vera level bro! Chumma Kizhi, kizhichitteenga!" He leaves the stage, waiting as excitedly for Darbar as every single Rajini fan!

* The 'Unbeaten' dance crew from Mumbai, pays a tribute for the vibrant city and to celebrate Mumbaiism!

* Yogi Babu takes the stage!

* He says, "I am somebody who fought hard among the other fans to get a Rs. 4 ticket to watch Baasha. Now, I have been fortunate to sit in the first row of this audio launch function. I feel very happy about it! I thank AR Murugadoss sir and the entire Darbar team for this opportunity. I have played a small role alongside Rajini sir. He used to teach me a lot during shoot. He taught me to get my comedy timing right."

* Anchor Ramya asks Yogi Babu about when he is going to get married. Responding to this, "There are so many issues in the world, yet you are asking me this question! However, Thalaivar has asked me to serve him my wedding treat by Thai masam. Will definitely do that!" When Ramya asks Yogi Babu to give the wedding treat soon, he states, if you want food, let me know and I shall get from somewhere outside and give you!

* Yogi B comes on stage to perform the second song from Darbar album - 'Athiradi'!

* Raghava Lawrence takes the stage!

* Lawrence says, "Thank you for these songs Anirudh! After a long time, you have only been giving such mass songs for Thalaivar. I already feel like going to the theatre and dancing. It is a wonderful time to join hands with Thalaivar now, Murugadoss sir! I am sure that this movie will overtake even Baasha! In one word, Thalaivar is the person who has made somebody who rightfully belongs to the last row, come and sit in the first row. Earlier, we as Rajini fans, used to desecrate Kamal sir's movie posters but now only we are coming to know that things have been so much different! It looks like both of them will come together (politically)... Lots of people will utter words like Athisayam and Arputham but only after Rajini sir said those words, they themselves have become special and magical!

Rajini sir himself is magical and wonderful! There are 1000 miracles which are mentioned in books and that is all Superstar! The confidence in a miracle is Superstar! He is a Guru for us all! Have any of you seen him shout at anybody? Have any of you heard of him having cheated anybody? Never! He has never done such things! Will any top star make his 100th film on a saint like Raghavendra? At times, I have called him and asked him to let his fans free to respond to all derogatory statements against him. He will always state one thing only - "Aandavan paathukuvaan... vidu da kanna!" 

"He has said he will come to politics and all those who mention that he is old and doesn't know politics, wait and watch! Just look at how he walks and you can see if he's old! To those who ask if he needs publicity at this age, I would just say, Superstar is another name for publicity. Modi ji himself visits our Superstar in his house! Do you know why he is coming to politics, even at this stage? It is because of his words - "Uppitta Tamil Mannai Naan Marakka Maatten!" 

"When Kalaignar Karunanithi died, they didn't give him land for burial in the Marina beach. That time, I felt Stalin should become the CM. Suddenly Edappadi came to that post and I felt that he is doing a good job. However, there is one person whom I don't wish to name, who is talking very badly about my Thalaivar. Don't forget that you are also just talking about him to gain publicity. In future, if you continue talking like this about my Thalaivar, I will talk back. I guess I've spoken too much and am not sure if Thalaivar will even lift my phone again. I don't know politics but don't make me learn it by talking about my Thalaivar!" 

* The trailers of Trisha's Raangi and Arun Vijay & Prasanna's Mafia are being screened!

* Actor Vivekh enters the stage and says, "I am going to state 3 letters and the entire crowd is going to go delirious!" and says, "Ra Ji Ni", making the entire crowd begin shouting and whistling and clapping, non-stop!

* Vivek says, "Fans of Rajini would stop celebrating after a while but how will fanatics stop? Shall I go outside, have a tea and come while you guys finish shouting? There is a dialogue in Baasha, which talks about how a person's nerves and blood should be soaked in something to be like that. Similarly, if there's a person whose blood and nerves are rooted in music, it is Anirudh! I always like Raja sir (Ilaiyaraja). I like Anirudh's charm and his humanity. Once, when I went to his studio, I forgot my chappal while leaving. He carried it in his hand and brought it to me. I knew then itself that with this humility, he would reach great heights and here he is, with Darbar!"

"AR Murugadoss is a Tamilian who has made a Hindi movie and entered the Rs. 100 Crores club! All I know is "Neenga verum Das aah, illa lord labakku das aah! However, in Mumbai people are asking - Neenga verum Das aah illa Muruga Das aah! Earlier, there used to be many production companies but nowadays all big movies are being made only by Lyca, incuding Indian 2, Darbar, Ponniyin Selvan! Just look at our Superstar in the poster, he looks so much more stylish than when we saw him in Moondru Mugam. India's leading star Amitabh Bachchan himself tells that he is not a superstar and that the real Superstar is the one we have in Tamil Nadu! This is a throne that he has been sitting on, for over 40 years!"

"Would it even be good to hear if somebody else mouths his dialogues? No way! Rajini sir is a man who inspires and encourages those who struggle and face hardships in life. He has never even spoken badly about anybody. If somebody complains about any person to him also, he would just simply listen to it. He is a man of simplicity and never shows off to anybody. When he was ill, it was the prayers and wishes of his crores of fans which made him recover so well! He even goes to the Himalayas, regularly and this made me think of a dialogue - 'Thalaivar Sivan oda sitting um podaraaru, Yaman oda cutting um podaraaru!"

"I am not too familiar with Murugadoss sir or I would have asked him to use this dialogue in the movie. Subaskaran sir, please don't stop with making only big movies. Now and then please do movies like Kolamaavu Kokila too, as the industry is suffering a lot!"

* Darbar villain Suniel Shetty comes on stage with the words, "When Murugadoss sir approached me for this movie, I immediately accepted as Rajini sir is like God to me!"

* Suniel Shetty says, "It was my dream come true to act with Rajini sir. To all the fans, it is just acting in the movie, please don't mistake! We all have a little bit of Rajini sir, inside us. Even after working in 120 films, I felt nervous acting beside him. I have taken one promise from Rajini sir that you all will love me even after watching the movie! Will I be able to come back to Chennai, after the movie releases?"

* An AV of music director Deva's message for Superstar is being played!

* Deva says, "Though I am not composing for Superstar nowadays, I have travelled with him for nearly 27 years. He liked the opening I gave for him while composing the RR for Annamalai. Anirudh called me and said that he wants to use a portion of my song in a song in Darbar. He didn't stop with just telling me, he took me to his studio and made me conduct the song. His wonderful character and heart are the main reasons that everything he touches becomes successful!

* Trans-women perform the third song from the Darbar album onstage!

* They say, "Whenever I watched Rajini sir's Muthu film, I always wanted to meet him atleast once in real life. Thanks to Anirudh sir that I have performed today, in front of Rajini sir. Everybody thinks that only men and women are fans of Superstar but even transgenders are fans of him!"

* Director Shankar comes on stage!

* He says, "I can already get the feel of how it would be, when this movie releases in the theatres! Anirudh's songs are super! I have to tell something about Anirudh. When we sat down for composing, the first tune itself got set for the first three songs. However, even after him giving 5 options for the fourth song, it didn't set. We felt that the 5th option will gradually grow on people. However, Anirudh told it won't work for him as the people should like the song as soon as they hear it! Once, Anirudh gave me 4 options for a tune and I told him that I liked the first option. To this, he replied that the guy who works in his studio also liked that option only. That is Anirudh's secret! He looks at what everybody likes and not just what the director likes!"

"Murugadoss is a kind of director who would groom his hero and villain like fighter cocks. Also, just having money is not enough... A person needs passion to produce movies like this. Rajini sir, it's been nearly a year and a half since I made a movie with you. Not a single day has gone by when I haven't thought about you. He would be ready in his position almost as soon as I tell that the shot is ready. Whereas, nowadays even junior artistes are asking for 5 minutes to prepare, when we tell that the shot is ready. 10 five minutes like these, make up 50 minutes of delay. Almost Rs. 2-3 lakhs would be wasted in a day, because of this itself."

"Rajini sir is a man who knows the value of time. While we were shooting for Sivaji in Pune, everybody on the sets returned to the caravan for food, as the location was dirty. However, Rajini sir sat there itself and ate, as around 20 minutes would have been wasted in going to the caravam and returning. That is Rajini sir! Sir, I miss you!"

* PVR has announced that after doing it for Enthiran, they are now going to launch a special Popcorn variety for Darbar. 

* A special AV from singer SP Balasubrahmanyam plays...

* He says, "Rajini and me have been friends for over 40 years. I am sorry, I could not make it to the audio launch event because of a prior commitment in Malaysia." He then requests Anirudh to sing 'Chumma Kizhi' on stage and Anirudh obliges! Anirudh states, "I won't forget the recording session with SPB! He usually sings a song in 1 to 1.5 hours but we recorded from 8:00 to 12:00 for Chumma Kizhi!"

* Anirudh says, "Darbar is an unforgettable experience! I came to the industry just 8 years back and am composing for a Thalaivar movie already. Actually, my second Thalaivar movie, all thanks to Dhanush sir! This is the Athisayam and Arputham in my life! The first ever movie I watched was Annamalai and it was very emotional while working on this movie. I felt extremely happy that I am composing music for my most favourite person in the world! Thanks to Murugadoss sir! When I had just completed 2 small movies, you gave me a chance to score for a huge movie like Kaththi. Thanks to Lyca Productions and a big thanks to my family, who will actually feel more proud than me today!"

"Vivek bro is a bigger Thalaivar fanatic than me. Whoever comes and composes music for Thalaivar, Deva sir's intro music will always stand apart! Many people say that I am giving good albums for Thalaivar. Well, I will give my life for him, won't I give good albums? I am a diehard Thalaivar fan and for me, yesterday, today and forever, there will only be one Superstar!"

* AR Murugadoss goes on stage and an AV on the crew of Darbar is playing...

* AR Murugadoss says, "My favourite hero is Rajini sir. While I was a child, there were just 2 theatres in my town. I used to think that Rajini sir was living inside the theatre only. I don't even know if this is a dream or reality now. I asked Rajini sir a question that was on my mind for a very long time. I asked him how he manages to be No. 1, for all these years. He gave an answer and asked me what I think of the answer. You won't believe it but he would be happily talking and playing around with the hairdressers and makeup artistes. Nowadays, even if you just break a tree branch and call it a director, you should see the drama it creates. However, Rajini sir has remained the same grounded person even after seeing only success for 40 years! Thank you Rajini sir! I will forever remain happy the rest of my life, just thinking about the time I spent with you!"

Talking about the producers, ARM says, "When we made Kaththi, everybody told that they had come to destroy the whole of Tamil Nadu. Now, they are the ones based on whom, the whole Tamil cinema industry is sustaining!" Talking about Anirudh, "He is a very hard worker. He is also a Thalaivar fan like me but not a bigger fan than me. I am senior here and you can't beat me in this. Shobi master has worked on one of the songs. Thalaivar will dance for about 4.5 minutes and I guarantee that the entire theatre will be awestruck by it. Sreekar sir helped me a lot, right from the script itself. Nobody has made Thalaivar fight like in this movie, for the past 15 years. It will be awesome!" He brings all his assistant directors to join him on stage! He also requests Rajkumar Periasamy, the show's director to join him on stage.

* ARM says, "Darbar's hero's name is Aadithya Arunachalam. Aadithya is my son's name and Arunachalam is my father's name!" Ramya asks ARM to tell something common between Thalaivar, Thala and Thalapathy. ARM says, "I am sorry! Thalaivar vera levelunga! Superstar is the only equal for himself! There is only one Superstar! There is no place here for Quarter Superstar or Little Superstar! I cannot even find an equal to Thalaivar as an actor, how can I tell there's somebody equal to him as a human?"

* The man of the moment - Superstar Rajinikanth comes on stage!

* After welcoming everybody in his own style, Rajini begins talking! He says, "I've already spoken about Subaskaran. In a very short time, he has become a very close friend. Everybody knows him only as a producer but he is also a very big industrialist in London. He knows both the ruling party and the opposition party in London. He is generating a lot of jobs for the people there. He has a lot of respect and social standing there. He once called me to come to London and I asked why. He told me that he is planning to open a park in my name, there. I told, this should not be done when I am alive and something might happen to me. He immediately told no to the idea and dropped it!"

Talking about ARM, Rajini says, "I like the movie Ramana, very much. After watching Ghajini, I spoke to ARM and asked him to do a movie with me and also heard a story. I was working on Sivaji at that time and he was doing the Hindi version of Ghajini. Due to some delays, we could not work together then. Also, after Lingaa, I didn't want to play younger roles but Karthik Subbaraj was very adamant that he wanted me to play a younger character. After seeing me in Petta, Murugadoss narrated a story about a retired Police Commissioner to me within just a week! This movie will definitely be a treat for everybody! While shooting he will happily shout and whistle like a child but if he gets angry, he will shout louder than the generator's noise! Murugadoss is just after Shankar sir for me! Both of them are of the same class!"

"Santosh Sivan is always very fast in his work. It feels very happy to work with him after 29 years! Chandramukhi was the second movie for Nayanthara and this is her 100th movie! She looks far more glamorous now! Suniel has played his character very well. Yogi Babu and Nivetha Thomas have given life to the movie. Murugadoss was very particular on having Ram Lakshman for the stunts."

"Anirudh is the hero of today's function. He is our family's child. With every passing day and movie, he is working very hard to deliver excellent work. Generally, music directors don't have story sense and only Ilaiyaraaja has it. Anirudh already has that quality now. Excellent Anirudh, this album is even better than Petta! The story of Darbar is set in Mumbai and as soon as the shoot started, monsoons arrived. We finished the shoot in 90 days. Any other director would have taken nearly 180 days to complete this movie."

"December 12th is my birthday and this year, it happens to be a very important day for me. After completing 69 years, I am turning 70! As usual, I will be going out of town for my birthday. Please don't celebrate it extravagantly. I will consider this audio launch as my birthday celebration. I am going to share two secrets with you all. I failed in SSLC but then cleared it in my second attempt. When I told my brother that I would go to work, he made me study against my wishes. He made me join a very expensive college. I also began roaming around with the rich students there. They gave me Rs. 120 to pay for exam fees. I didn't have the heart to pay it. After night 10:30, I got onto a train. When I woke up, I was in Chennai. But I had lost my ticket and the ticket collector didn't believe me too. The porters there helped me and even fought with him. Only after I told them that I have money to pay the fine but my ticket had gone missing did the ticket collector let me go."

"Rajinikanth is a name that Balachander sir was very fond of! He gave me that name with a lot of confidence in me and I am thankful that the confidence paid off. Kalaignanam sir produced my first movie, despite many people telling him not to. His confidence has also paid off. A lot of producers believe in me and produce my movies and their trust is also repaid. Similarly, have trust in me and I shall definitely ensure that it is not lost!"

"My Parattai character from Pathinaaru Vayathinilae gave me the reach in all corners of society! We discussed 10,000 as my salary for that role but ended finalising it as 6000. They said they would pay me 1000 as advance but I didn't get it. They then said, trust us and come to the shooting spot, we will give you the advance right before you apply make up. The shooting spot was AVM Studios and I had also reached there but even when it was getting late for shoot, I didn't get the advance and I also refused to apply make up. The producer then came and shouted at me, asking if I was a big shot and told me that I had done just 4 or 5 films. He then told me to leave the place and that I no longer had the character."

"The movie turned out to be a resounding success in the second week itself and whenever I saw its posters mentioning 'Idhu epdi irukku?', I used to think of this incident and think 'Idhu epdi irukku?'! After a few years, AVM Saravanan sir called me and gave me a movie. I purchased a Fiat car for Rs. 4.5 Lakhs and was adamant that I should hire a foreign driver as it was a foreign car. However, when I didn't get a foreigner, I hired an Anglo-Indian named Robinson and gave him a cap and uniform. I asked him to drive me to AVM Studio and went to the same floor I spoke to the producer, earlier. I got down and smoked two 555 cigarettes. All the people there were more fascinated with Robinson than my car! The success I got in those 2 years was not just because of my hard work alone but also because of my good time!"

"A lot of negativity is being spread everywhere, be it on social media or any form of media. When we ask somebody to get a coffee normally, they don't. Only when we shout at them, we get the coffee. One day, God came in the dream of a very hardworking person and asked him what he wanted. The person asked God to give love and affection. So, let's all spread love! Let's all live well! All of you please return home safely!"

All the guests and the entire Darbar team and Shahir & Visu from Divo are all on the stage. The audio is being launched in a unique way, with a gun shoot! AR Murugadoss says "Action" and Rajinikanth shoots the gun. The mass audio launch of Darbar just got over!