News about Ajith’s Billa doesn’t seem to die down. Probably it is the movie’s trailer that has catapulted this sudden surge in expectations - not that it was any less, earlier.

Rajini’s Billa was instrumental in raising him to the super star status and this film is still considered a landmark in his career.

Vishnuvardhan’s remake of this 1980 classic has created enough buzz and work on this film is almost complete, except for a few visual effects and optical work.

With the release date remaining elusive for a long time, comes the news that it could hit the screens on December 12th - super star Rajini’s birthday. Though this hasn’t been confirmed as yet, sources close to the team indicate that it would only add to the expectation, while others feel that the date is only a month after Deepavali and the frenzy around the Deepavali releases might not have withered down by then. Yet another factor attributed, is the beginning of the festive season with Pongal just round the corner. While there are apprehensions that the film’s prospects, a month after its release, could dampen due to Pongal releases, some feel that the super star’s birthday is a festive occasion in itself and cites it as an opportune time - a gesture of tribute to the original.