Kuselan

Close to almost one year after the release of 'Sivaji' super star Rajnikanth has come up with 'Kuselan' this season, in which he has played a cameo and not the usual kind of swashbuckling hero. For that matter, he appears as himself, not exactly as Rajnikanth but as a screen-superstar, Vijaykumar. As the promos rightly proclaimed, he looks his youthful best, his slim figure and ever-impressive style, giving him a cutting edge.

Still, basking in the glory of his earlier hit 'Chandramukhi' which actually resurrected the stardom and stature of the super-star, writer director P. Vasu , appears to have toiled hard to essay and execute the screenplay in such a manner that it would appeal to the hard-core fans of the super-star who have gone global in the recent times.

A remake of 'Katha Parayumbol' a sweeping success story in Malayalam Kuselan (a prompt title!) narrates the tale of two friends- one a sizzling screen star and the other a poor barber struggling and suffering to make his end meet. His misery is ceremoniously shared by his understanding wife Sridevi (Meena, quite a neat portrayal, though after along while!) and three children.

Well, the Malayalam original may not have inspired from the mythological story of the historical friendship between Lord Krishna and Kuselan but the Tamil version certainly appears to have been, at least with respect to the title.

The fact that their favorite matinée idol makes a belated entry almost in the third reel may not exactly find favor with his die –hard fans but then even before this flick was launched, it was announced that Rajni will only be doing a guest role. But otherwise, his fans would be delighted to see their screen icon in a variety of colorful costumes (that actually fit him like a T!) he also appears in a song or two one of them has been dedicated to 75 years of cinema. Surprising, there are no stunts at all and the super-star does not even raise a finger here! While Rajnikanth has nothing much to do a tall most of the time in the movie, appearing and disappearing as though he is walking a romp but he walks away with the honors in the last 10 minutes. A neat underplay by the superstar in the climax. A subdued performance that is truly stunning. Though he is not the films protagonist in the technical sense, he simply walks away with the honors in the closing portions, Pasupathi records a remember-worthy portrayal not with standing the fact that it is the super-star against whom he has been pitted who is his co-stat playing his childhood pal.

Nayanthara provides the glamour quotient but otherwise cuts a sorry-figure. Vadivelu's comedy track is unimaginative and could appeal only to the front benchers, his animated expressions while watching his wife exercising as also in the scene where he gapes at Nayanthara who is at the dressing-table are far from being satisfactory. Livingston and his men fail to create an impact.

P. Vasu lines are thought –provoking at places. Instead of mom, dad, guru and god it should have been mom, dad, guru friend and god-says the super-star at one point. A point to ponder, certainly.

Prakash Kumar's music is good without being outstanding Kusekan, a good friend, indeed!

KUSELAN is a movie with a cast of actors like RAJNIKANT and PRABHOU. PRABHOU is an actor with rural pictures from certain areas like around the south of the subcontinent. The actor is an appreciator of jewels or found interest in jewels after this movie "KUSELAN."

Kuselan (2008) is one of those movies that's... not that bad. In fact, it's totally watchable-as long as you go in with the right expectations. Directed by P. Vasu, with Rajinikanth's superstar aura cranked up to eleven and everything else kind of... well, there.

The story follows Pasupathy, a humble barber (played earnestly by Pasupathy himself), who struggles to make ends meet while nursing memories of his childhood friendship with Rajinikanth's Ashok Kumar, now a mega superstar. The plot is simple and even charming in places, as it explores themes of friendship, humility, and staying grounded despite fame.

The problem? Rajinikanth. No, not him as an actor-he's as charismatic as ever-but the way the film bends over backwards to include more of his screen presence. While the original story was a quiet ode to friendship, Kuselan seems more interested in showcasing Rajini's star power through extended cameos, flashy songs, and a whole lot of slow-motion walking.

Still, the film isn't a total disaster. It has moments of heart, some genuinely funny comedy (thanks to Vadivelu), and a message that almost lands if you squint hard enough. Plus, Rajini fans will find plenty to cheer for, even if it's just the novelty of watching him as a fictionalized version of himself.

Kuselan might not win any awards for subtlety or originality, but it's watchable if you're in the mood for a half-hearted tribute to friendship wrapped in a superstar fanfare. Sure, it could've been better, but hey, at least it's not unwatchable. Right?

It could have been so much better,if they have taken it like the Malayalam film,only rajnikanth is saving this boring flick,because of the poor comedy from vadivel and others...the director should have used the original script,and should not have added extra comedy scenes...mainly by vadivel and livingston.....santhanam comes up with some good crackers..he doesn't disappoint here...pasupathy has done a great job...but his acting often makes us to remember veyil....meena doesn't look like her family is poor...she has over make up...which is not suiting her character...Arvind Krishna's camera is excellent...G.V.Prakash's music is average.....only 2 numbers are good in his tracks..Climax is touching....Kuselan is one time watchable..

There is much expectation out of any Rajinikanth film, even though it doesn't take much to satisfy those expectations of a "typical" Rajinikanth film. But then, this is not a Rajinikanth film and the promos are simply misusing the trust of the gullible public in making it appear so.

However, this movie deserves the ruthless criticism of all sane movie goers. It is really hard for anyone to make up their minds on what this movie is about. If it is about friendship and how an ordinary man is unwilling to exploit his older connection with a now superhero, then we should have stayed with his life in the narrative, instead of introducing two hundred clowns to cheer us up when indeed we could have wallowed in pity or admiration of the chief underdog.

If it is indeed about a superstar and him looking for his long lost friend, then we should have stayed with him, his life, and his pangs to find his friend. In fact, when Ashok Kumar, played by Rajinikanth, himself talks about the friend he has been looking for, it seems so fake since we saw nothing of the sort from the actions of the man up until that point.

So, who is this movie trying to convince? Neither is there a focus on being an art film, nor does it have the mindless but inevitable focus on the pyrotechnics of a commercial film, which can be borne as the usual trash. This film is lifeless, artless, colourless, devoid of all sense of purpose and heavily missing in urgency.

It is one abominable drag into the hole, and then we find the hole is filled with more nothings than this movie has managed to stand for. A highly forgettable piece of time wasting garbage. This kind of mockery of the public should be punished with a money back policy.