Chennai, June 15 (IANS) Rajnikanth returned to the southern silver screen after two years at 5 a.m. Friday to a tumultuous reception from millions of fans in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu.

Huge crowds thronged 30 theatres in and around Chennai right from the wee hours of the morning, with every 'rasikar' (aficianado) of Rajni determined not to miss a 'first day first show' of the long awaited "Sivaji: the Boss".

Inside the packed theatres, audiences watched the film in rapt silence, in contrast to the wild cheering, dancing and sloganeering witnessed outside earlier.

"Simply Paisa Vasool, Machhi! And get out of the way. I have to buy the next show's ticket at whatever black market rates that are prevailing", said Rajavelu, an auto-rickshaw driver from north Chennai, at Albert Hall, Egmore.

The staunchly loyal fans of the superstar seemed every bit as anxious as the film's makers about the impact of every single scene, every single song or fight sequence.

"I have only two words to describe 'Sivaji'- success, spectacular", said Vishwanathan, a driver who spent nearly 30 percent of his monthly salary to watch the preview Thursday night.

"But seeing it along with the film technicians was a let down. The wolf whistles, bits of confetti floating in the air, applause and finally the roars of approval were missing. For a Rajnikant movie - all this stuff is as essential as the background score. I will see it again - at least 10 times. Now I have to begin networking odd jobs to pay for the shows," Vishwanathan added.

"I am a diehard Rajnikant fan and the movie is worth every single paisa of the Rs.1,000 I spent to see the first show. Rajnikant has shown great guts to appear with a shaved head in the climax but it thrilled me," said Dayalan, who owns a travel business.