Having watched Pa Ranjith + Rajini combo movie, I am still not able to get out of it. The fact that I have wasted half the movie running time and making me feel guilty for wasting my time and money that too on a Rajini movie , adding to that combo of making me feel kabali was a million times better movie - even after multiple twist and turns on the bed, trying to sleep over night and digest the fact which I still not able to - there goes my longest rant in one breath!!!!! Having set the tone, if you done like the post above please don't waste your time to read further, these are my opinion and I am entitled to have one, and I don't give a damn of what u or anyone else might feel is general right for the society. Well I am taking the same stance as the director of the movie, where each one is entitled to have their own version of the story, even though the original author might have penned it differently.
The story is no different, a robin hood styled don, fighting for the masses and their rights, even if the path is a crime. We have seen 1000s of movies across the globe. The speciality of this script is the screenplay, suited to go with the likes of Tamil audience, involving the recent protests across the state of TN and showcasing the black politics in general behind the scene on all such protests suiting the imagination of well, whomsoever wants to have one :). Split in two halves, the first half is paced well and a lot of likeable things. Second half does drag a bit and one wonders towards the aim what really does the director want to convey!!!!
The positives first, Rajini!!! Anything more to ask for on the screen? At his age, the charisma, screen presence that he brings to the stage along with the histrionics are a joy to watch. His dialogue deliveries are impeccable and still caries a punch. Not to mention his subtle humor. Played along with him, Eswaro Rao as selvi has a lot to offer and they both make a fine pair on the screen to enjoy whenever they share the screen. Dilipan, Manikandan literally plays as the poles apart sons of a don. Dilipan while literally carrying all the weight of a Rajini action chances, Manikandan has carried the justice ideals of rajini we know. Along comes Anjali Patil and Samuthrakani showcasing their versatility and a charm to watch. On the bgm, Santhosh Narayanan helps the movie as much as Rajini has. His awesome combo with Pradeep Kumar kannama lingers with us even after the movie, and their winning streak continues.
Nana patekar wins us with his eyes and subtle facial expressions. Stacks up well as a worthy opponent to superstar. That is the only Ok part of the movie.
As much as Rajini was a power pack, he is totally wasted towards the end. The director seem to have had multiple personalities and was in a hurry to have his name bring up in the end cards. He is neither able to justify the mass image of rajini, nor is he able to stick to his idealogies nor is he able to keep the screenplay engaging and sticking to the core plot. Nane patekar is absolutely wasted. Huma Quereshi as Zareena has a screen presence and well nothing has been made out of it. It just helps us to understand there was a love interest for Kala. When a character dies on screen, you want to feel the emotion, you want to feel bad. But well ranjith has other ideas. On every death there goes a happy rap song. Who comes up with such ideas? Probably the team wanted to improvise on the age old Tamil olam songs. But hey don't get me wrong, if we get to have a rap song on every death the world would welcome death more happily than births. That sums up the worst parts of the movie.
Somewhere between upholding the story, director's idealogies and wanting to brutally kill the safron flag politically - the screenplay and rajini both are lost. As the movie touches the 90min mark, director realizes he has to close the show soon. Things rushes on the screen and you don't feel anything moving inside you, just your stomach turning and your mouth about to open wide unable to digest the abomination on the screen with the star as Rajini. While the screenplay preeches and shows the unity of multi religion , it for somehow fails to show the unity within the same religion...well only one sect of the society can always be taken for a ride and expect them to be happy with it. So director makes use of it well.
If not for Rajini, this movie would not be watched!!!
