Kabali

Rajini is always seen as a larger-than-life superstar on-screen but in Pa.Ranjith's Kabali, he seems to have turned into a complete actor. Well, I feel that Kabali is the right film for Rajini the actor. After Thalapathi, he has much scope to perform rather than smashing the bad guys and attract the audience with his stylish walk and mannerisms. There are still fan moments in the film but it's much more a drama than a mass entertainer. Pa.Ranjith has utilized Rajini's acting ability and made him perform a role of his age. He even looks stylish with that grey beard which remembers me of the famous Neelambari's dialogue in Padayappa. Unlike the mass feel that the teaser created, the film is a complete drama that revolves around Kabali, a Malaysian Tamil gangster who is in search of his lost family. The film goes deep into the character exploring the emotional side of a stylish gangster. Well, it's fresh to see that Rajini has stepped out of his comfort zone to fit into a much performance-oriented role. I personally really enjoyed the scenes where we get to see him emote deeply for his loved ones. Pa. Ranjith has made a film that dives into the underworld which is very well explored in this gangster drama. Especially, after Rajini, we have so many actors to remember in Kabali. We have Radhika Apte, Dhanshika, Kishore, and Winston Chao who played their characters convincingly. Santhosh Narayanan's album and background score are the right elements to make the film connect with the audience. Pa.Ranjith's Kabali feels a bit refreshing but still has a lot of flaws that could have been avoided for the betterment of this gangster drama. The film is really slow. It takes so much time to establish the platform and the characters. Apart from Rajini's characterization, we don't have much excitement in Kabali because it feels less engaging and even less impactful. Even the climax was a bit rush and completely out of the context. The Neruppu Da theme is added in every mass scene of Rajini which is strictly for Rajini fans. Honestly speaking, Kabali can't be a film for Rajini fans because apart from the few mass moments that Ranjith added for Rajini, this is definitely not the typical mass Rajini film. Overall, Kabali is a Pa.Ranjith film filled with Rajini moments.

Kabali is not a usual Rajni film to begin with. It doesn't have any of Rajni's tricks which have made him famous. Nor it shows Rajni as a young ageless man romancing some heroine one third his age.

Rajni finally plays his age, a 60 year old gangster, out of jail in search of his missing wife and seeking revenge for those who destroyed his life. And this is good part of the film because it great to see Rajni the actor and not Rajni the star.

However, the issue I found with Kabali is writer director is not clear whether he should make a gangster or a serious drama film. There are times where Ranjith is telling us about the underworld in Malaysia run by Chinese and Indians. He also highlights the racial tension between the Indians and Malaysians. But on the other hand, he is also depicting a husband having visions about his wife and searching for her.

One of the main reasons Godfather II is considered one of the best gangster films is because it tells both the stories which such ease without losing its core - the life of Michael Corelone and the revenge story of Vito Corelone.

But unlike the Godfather series, Ranjith adds too much of emotions leaving us confused. So there are two beautiful scenes where Kabali meets his daughter for the 1st time and when he meets his wife after 25 years. Both scenes are very high on emotional quotient. Plus there is a long and meaningless climax and a twist in the end which I felt was not required.

Another problem with Kabali is the villain. Rajni's movies have strong villains. But Kabali lacks strong villains. Winston Chao and Kishore are neither menacing nor convincing and end up as any normal cartoonish villains thanks to the poor writing. Chao especially looks funny wear purple suits with funny expressions.

Apart from Rajani, the saving grace is his women co-stars. Radhika Apte is mind blowing as his long lost wife. Apte who is 30 years old gets into the skin and with ease plays the role of 50 plus year old. She and Rajani share a nice sweet old world charm and chemistry.

Other hand, Dhansika plays Kabali's long lost daughter who is also a contract killer. She also put up a nice performance.

Finally, Kabali is not the usual Rajani film. Its different. However, it had the potential to be a great Rajani film.

Yes, Rajinikanth is back with his unique style n mannerism if you are a Rajini fan you'll love his screen presence. There are a few goosebumps moments in the movie other than that do not expect too much you'll be definitely disappointed. Story feels going kinda off track many times. Screenplay ????? this comes in mind coz its very slow and drags a lot. Whole movie stands one one pillar that's Rajini he reminds you of the charm of Superstar what we all know him as. Radhika Apte has done complete justice to her role and her presence is remembered even after the movie. All other cast has done their best Kishore, Dhansika exceptionally good. Other than Rajini the track Neruppu Da gives some feel good moments throughout the movie, 2 songs are highlight and bgm is pretty good Santosh Narayan has executed the job well. Some scenes you'll feel were not necessary, Pa.Ranjith is talented but less experienced and you can clearly feel it, a lot lot more could have been done. After all you have a powerhouse called Rajinikanth and could have utilized a lot lot more.

Final word do watch it once without expecting you'll love Rajini Sir his screen presence his epic style dialogues. Thalaivar is Back in style.

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.

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.