So it is FINALLY here. Literally, waited for this flick to release, with all my breath choked in my lungs. Yeah, yea, I know, that was dramatic, but ask any Rajini fan, and you will get the same reaction. With just one teaser(not even a trailer) Kabali swept the social sites and tweets trending. The massive views and assumptions on how it turns out(there was no need, it’s a Rajinikanth movie). Alright, before I write more on Rajini Anna, I would like to write about the movie.
The story takes place in Malaysia, where there are lots of Tamilians in Kuala Lumpur and how they have been treated by the employers and other locals. More concentration on racism and plight of Malaysian Tamils. Kabaleeswaran aka Kabali(Rajnikanth) is a man who leads a purposeful life and never goes against it or wrong path. He is survived by his loving wife Kundahnavalli(Radhika Apte), who sticks to her husband’s side for better and worse endeavours. On persuasion of Seetharamaraju(Nassar), Kabali becomes a gangster and ends up behind the bars for a long time. After his incarceration of 25-years, he comes back to his city and finds that everything has changed since he left and nothing is more according to his ideals. His family is destroyed by Tony(Winston Chao) and tries to sort out all the problems. He goes in the revenge mode on Tony for all the difficulties and problems he created for him and his family. And the rest story works on this storyline. Better watch it, because it really needs to be watched.
Let’s get talking about the action, which is undeniably “awesome”, as always. There is nothing to expect less and more is what you can get. Director Pa Ranjith has done well this time as well, maybe two-movies-old debutant, but he really knows what he wants, and this attracts the sense of explaining things. It’s actually a positive part that movie never gets entwined with the flashbacks and present, and narration is justified.
The background music and songs composed by Santosh Narayan, is explicable. With music being the most important part of movies nowadays, it is ultimately used for marketing. And Neruppa Da song for Kabali is just made to make your hair stand on its end. Simply goosebumps all over. It is used to introduce Rajni’s character during the first half and also the first time used in South Indian movies itself. Definitely, the music caters a lot in this flick, brings out the effect.
Rajini’s role of gangster brings back the memories of Baasha, but definitely played it better and delight with his Kabali swag. Playing two roles of 25 years before and after very well. His charm and pride is untouched. He brings out more character to his role and carries it effortlessly(did anyone doubt that, NOT). The chemistry between Kabali and Kundhanavalli is simply electrifying. Radhika Apte fulfils the role with much grace, though she has small role but it stands crucial. Winston Chao as the villain against Rajnikanth is perrrrfect. Dhansika as sniper does justice to her role. Rithvika as Meena, as drug addict pulls off well in her portions. Nassar as Seetharamaraju is nothing less than seamless.
Though the movie is slow paced for first half and even the starting 30 mins, but when it catches wind, it is nothing but a narrative story of a gangster who lives by his ideals and cannot tolerate racism. This movie has nothing more of a basic plot(which I realised) and is good vs bad flick. No suspense, almost no thrill and plot is precedent. Was I expecting more in this movie? No. Well, most Rajni movies are like this and was just looking for a perfect Rajni anna spectatorship.
My verdict for this is plain and simple, if you are a Rajni fan, then is the movie to watch(like that needs to be said) but otherwise it is like all early 2000s movies.