Chennai: June 15, 2007 -  Thrilled fans of superstar Rajnikanth crowded cinema theatres since the early hours as his much-awaited film 'Sivaji - The boss' hit the screens with a bang today. The AIADMK Supremo Jayalalithaa was among the scores of movie fans who watched AVM Production's mega budget movie on the first day of the release.

A special screening of the movie was arranged at the AVM studio here for Jayalalithaa, who watched the film along with Rajnikanth, producer A V M Saravanan and director Shankar, as per PTI.

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has already watched the movie along with Rajnikant. The Telegu version of the movie, which was also released today, was screened for TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu at Hyderabad yesterday.

A wave of enthusiasm swept Tamil Nadu as Rajni's die-hard fans burst crackers and distributed sweets to celebrate the film's release.

"Today is a real festival for us as our Thalaivar's (leader) new film has hit the screen after a gap of two years," said Murugan, a member of Rajni's fan club in south Chennai.

The film took 19 months to be completed and is said to be the most expensive movie ever produced in India.

Huge banners and hoardings were erected in front of cinema theatres where 'Sivaji' was released. Fans performed 'milk abhishekam' on Rajni's cutouts and broke coconuts to ward off evil forces.

Directed by acclaimed director Shankar, the film is expected to storm the box office as it is said to have the correct mix of ingredients-- punchy dialogues, comedy, romance, dream songs, sentiment and finally good triumphing over evil -- which will enthrall the superstar's fans and cinema lovers.

The story of the film is about the fight against black money in society, which the protogonist does in his own way.