Baasha

A movie that gave a new definition for Character Underplay and subsequent Stylish (violent) transformation for the tamil movie goers. Tops the must watch list of all thalaivar fans and more than a decent entertainer for anyone who prefer an intense story said with a commercial sugar coating. This is the movie that exploited the brand RAJINI to the maximum and expanded his reach among maases to unimaginable proportions thus making RAJINI the undisputed MASS HERO! The movie is not only stylish but has substance too and a trend-setter for future gangster flicks! But unfortunately none could match the magic of the one and only BASHA, nehi nehi maanik BASHA!!!! A complete RAJINI entertainer all the way!

My childhood favorite film of Rajini sir. Excellent acting, action, drama, suspense and romance. Most notably the punch line "oru daravay sonna nooru darava sonna madri". Nothing more can be said other than give it a ten out of ten.

I am amazed that not one of Superstar Rajinikanth's millions of fans in the whole wide world has bothered to write a review of what is arguably his greatest hit and possibly his best entertainer. Like legions of his fans, I cannot find a single flaw in this superb flick. It's like a Bond movie; everything's possible because 007 is in charge. Rajini as Manickam and Badsha is simply scintillating; he gives his most impressive Bond-like performance to date. Actually I think Superstar should have quit films and entered politics after Badsha - he would have left in a blaze of glory and cemented his place in film and political history. There are many unforgettable scenes - when he speaks to the college principal for his sister's admission, the fight with Anandaraj ("ULLE PO"), all his scenes with Raghuvaran. I can go on and on. Instead I'll go and watch Badsha again. Maybe you should, if you haven't already.

Rajini might have done over 100 films prior to this one,but if there's one film which catapulted him to demi god status,it has to be this one.His characterisation as the calm and docile Manickam coupled with the stylish and ruthless don Baasha makes this movie a treat to watch.

The story might not be great,the BG is a rip off from Terminator,the music and songs are cheesy,Nagma is useless,the production value is tacky(OK,granted this was 1995).

But,if there's one person who makes this movie unbelievably watchable it has to be Rajinikanth.This might sound insane,but I have seen this movie more than 30 times(I stopped counting after 30)and each viewing is still enjoyable.I can't say the same for most movies,Rajini's other movies included.There is something special in this film which is hard to explain.

Time for another Baasha session.

Baasha - A movie that still brings a feeling of mass and pride to every other superstar fan and auto driver. The movie has a certain style (obviously) and the we see the superstar in a role that we like seeing him play. But, the movie sadly didn't work for me as much as I would have liked it to because of the fact that has this template has been used in movies for a long time after Baasha in everything from Maari to Kochi Rajavu to Vedalam.

The supporting cast is secondary, although I did like his gang of goons. Raghuvaran as the villain Mark Anthony does a somewhat good job.

^ - Joining his sister in college