Kabali

I am a sucker for mass films and typical heroism, I admit it. Even I am one of those who eagerly wait for a Rajni film and watch the trailer over and over to get that feel before the release. I did the same for Kabali and I also avoided listening to naysayers despite the bad feeling I had from my previous outing with Linga. So I went to the theatre with minimum expectations on the story and logic, but I did expect it to be an out and out Rajni film.

Watching Kabali for me was an inner struggle between the fan in me and the critic. Just as much this movie struggles to find the balance between the actor and superstar Rajni. As the 'SUPER STAR' flashes on screen with the Kabali theme music, excitement runs through the movie hall. It is followed by 'Sivajiesque' introduction scene in the jail. It feels good to see him doing push ups even at this age. The fan inside me buckles up for a Rajni ride. Whistles follow as the Rajni dances a few steps in the introduction song. As the movie plot begins to shape up the cinema lover inside me wonders as if it is picking up somewhere from the middle. The so called gangster cum social worker Kabali looks for some answers and payback as he is out of jail. There is always a herd of people around him as he walks, eats, drives and give speeches at his Free Life Foundation (please don't ask what it's about). Random scenes follow with some flashback thrown in. The critic in me starts to think why all this is happening, but the fan in me asks the critic to wait for some more time. I sit there hoping for a typical South Indian movie flashback which cooks up a good and a brutal revenge story. I see random villains trying to kill Kabali but with not much of a zeal or a structured plan. As the movie runtime comes close to an hour, the audience have seemed to lost the enthusiasm as well. They no more shout, whistle or clap when they see Rajni uttering some punchlines. We all see Rajni on screen, but we only see bits and pieces of Rajniism but not too convincing. As the flashback part of the movie begins, it takes a political turn and yet once again it isn't convincing enough. At this point of the time the critic and the fan in me both start wondering what is happening. As more and more characters get introduced it only adds to the confusion and I wait for the break which is something I wouldn't have hoped watching a Rajni movie. The scene leading to the interval doesn't make any impact to make the audience curious and eagerly wait for the second half.

With minimum expectations I start watching the second half not bothering a bit about the story. The fan in me begs for some punchlines and some typical Rajni fights. But the film takes a diversion as Kabali sets to find his wife (very neatly played by Radhika Apte) along with his daughter (a tomboy character played by Dhansika through which director wants to show that he is all in for equal opportunities). This part is an episode in itself. So I feel that earlier the movie ends, the better. Judging by how other audiences react I feel they too have the same opinion. Once again the antagonists surface to hurry an action packed climax. This is the part where probably director Ranjith wants something to give to the Rajni fans. Out of nowhere Rajni gathers an army and comes up with a strategy to face the antagonists played by Kannada actor Kishore and the international actor Winston Chao. Both wasted in poorly written negative roles. An invincible Rajni taking on the villains is all a fan like me need, but Kabali fails to portray that in a typical Rajni way as well. Although there are some punchlines and typical Rajni laughs, they aren't backed up with powerful scenes. I get the slightest of goosebumps as Rajni appears majestically in between the Kaula Lampur's twin towers over a hotel rooftop. However movie doesn't end there as Kabali manages to wipe out his enemies. It is further dragged on for about five minutes, which leads to a very very weird ending.

Kabali is another desperate attempt by the makers to cash in on the Rajni image. Director Ranjith fails to bring the balance between a class and mass movie. Although Rajni's Linga was a dud it at least had its typical Rajni moments and some good bit of sentiment and comedy. Whereas Kabali feels like a collection of different episodes which are hardly connected. The production value is rich and the music is decent. But they can hardly save this movie. The only thing positive about this movie is that there aren't any unnecessary songs put in. Rajni looks good with his white beard and suits, but the way character is written fails to bring out the Super Star in him. As a fan walking out of the theatre all I want to do is to go watch Sivaji again to forget this. Like some others I don't want him to stop making films but I feel he really needs to choose only the best of scripts. I try my best not to write a harsh review on Kabali, but this is the best I can do. I do not want to recommend or not recommend anyone to watch this movie. As a Rajni fan, I only want this movie to be a hit and so does others. But deep inside everyone knows this is nowhere close to a milestone for the Super Star.

'Kabali' turned out to be a phenomenon across the globe prior to its release,being the most hyped film from India in recent times featuring Thalaivar Rajnikanth in a gangster avatar that was expected to be a treat for the fans of the veteran superstar in particular with sequences reminding his yesteryear blockbusters.The movie reached theaters amidst sky-high expectations in a massive count of 300 screens across Kerala,thanks to the combined effort from S.Thanu and Ashirwad Cinemas.

If someone ask me a one word review for the movie,my immediate answer will be 'Disappointing'.Nothing surprising as the scenario isn't new to Kollywood where the major share of well-anticipated movies,particularly in this decade has failed to generate a satisfactory response from the common audience and the critics alike.In simple words,the mass hype generated was too much for a half-baked emotional thriller like Kabali that moves in a lethargic pace for the most part of the narration.

Pa.Ranjith has made a mark on the Kollywood industry with his two odd films Attakathi and Madras that were utterly realistic and easily expected in the list of personal favorites of anyone who is seriously into Tamil movies.Kabali being helmed by Ranjith,there were clear assumptions from a major section that its going to be a realistic,slow-paced thriller rather than an out and out Rajnikanth film like Shankar's Sivaji or K.S Ravikumar's Padayappa.

The movie gave me a feeling that Thalaivar Rajnikanth was casted in a role that had shades of typical Ulaganayagan Kamal Hassan portrayals,particularly coming to the emotional sequences.The goose-bump sequences were minimal and elevated only by the grace and dialogue delivery of the superstar.

The pace was really an issue leaving side the initial sequences and choked a smooth narrative.The lack of logic in the screenplay was evident and turned a hiccup in multiple junctures in the clichéd storyline.The flashback sequences were comapritively realistic and presented well by Ranjith.

The climax turned unintentionally funny due to poor execution and could have dealt much better..The action sequences too were a mixed bag,with two fights being well-choreographed and two,especially the climax fight being a big letback.

Rajni movies are always known for repeated audience and cherishable mass sequences,but Kabali fails in this part too as there were only a hand full or even less number of memorable sequences that will stay in the minds once we are out of the cinema hall. There were rumors about a superstar making surprise cameo in the movie but didn't materialize.

None would point-out a single film where Rajnikanth failed to impress with his style and acting prowess and this time too the 66 year old actor has managed to pull off a really impressive performance as Kabaleeswaran,the good-hearted gangster.Another pick among the cast was Dhansika playing the role of a hit-girl giving out a refreshing performance.Radhika Apte was well-cast as the lead heroine,but couldn't deliver a standout performance as expected.Attakathi Dinesh's character was peculiar and made its presence felt ,the same time giving him a break from his usual village-oriented roles.The rest of the cast that includes Kishore,John Vijay etc did their part well.Taiwaneese actor Winsyon Chao failed to enact a menacing villain.

The songs and background score by Ranjiths favorite Santhosh Narayanan were adequate as far as the narration is concerned,but couldn't make much impact except for the 'Nerrupu Da' bit that created a huge buzz before the release.There were good number of interesting slow motion sequences by G.Murali who did his job well the camera.Cuts by Praveen K.L could have been better.

In all means,Kabali is an opportunity wasted by Pa.Ranjith who failed to utilize the charisma of the veteran actor to the fullest.Better less said about a thriller where the so called 'thrills' take a backseat.Give it a miss or watch it just for Superstar Rajnjikanth and his evergreen style of acting.

I used to be a hardcore Rajini during my teenage days. But after sometime the craze went off because actors are not real life heroes. I still like Rajini and his movies. After seeing this movie all I understood that Rajini wanted to do something different from his usual way of stereotype movies and this movie is definitely reality based and gangster movie which is the real smartest move Rajini has done after a very long time. Though the movie has more of emotion than the regular type but this is what is happening in the real world and that's what the director has told us through this movie. A Tamil man in another land working for his livelihood and fighting with the authorities to get equality for him and his people and gets it done and from there he becomes a revolutionary turning to become a gangster (and does social service) who loses his family because of the enmity and jealousy of his rival gang and then he is caught by the law and is judged falsely and sent to prison and then comes back to avenge his family's death only to find out that his family is still alive. He then gets released and with the help of his old gang members not only gets back his family but he avenges by finishing off all his rivals (typical 'Godfather'style movie ending). It is a very good movie and Rajini has shown good acting in this movie. Though there are certain scenes which could have been improvised by the director but still looks good for the audience. The action is really class apart with a solid blood shed violence for which the movie should have been given PG15 (but has been given Ú' certificate). On the whole in my opinion it is not an really excellent movie (but it could have been if the scenes were improvised) but a really very good movie on the whole and it will surely be a blockbuster as Rajini has come back with a bang in this movie. Magizhchi (Cheers!).......

Lot more expected from Kabali however it didn't meet my expectation. Please do not show this movie to your young kids. Too much violence. Interesting fact that NOBODY in the theater clapped or praised Rajni or any scenes after starting the movie till end. Everybody kind of so desperate. I don't know why Rajnikant decided to accept this character and story. There are few good messages in it, though overall it promotes violence. First half is completely boring. Sorry dear Rajni fans, its my honest opinion. I love Rajni movies and Tamil movies. Rajnikant did his role pretty well in this movie as usual. No doubt on it, however the director trying to impress all kind of viewers by adding unnecessary scenes.

I liked, by far, not the best of the Indians, but the joint production with Malaysia yielded a good film, some uncomfortable and artificial situations, almost vexatious, but it involves and captivates us ...