When Pa. Ranjith got the opportunity to make the next Rajnikanth film, the industry as well as fans were baffled, and rightly so. How could a director who has made just two movies get to make a Rajni movie? Post the release of Kabali, the fans are divided on the outcome. Disappointment seems the more dominant emotion among fans and non-fans alike. But there is enough reason to believe this movie was just what Rajni needed now to take his career forward, and Rajni was the most perfect choice for this script. It was high time Rajnikanth stopped playing young roles, and there was no better way to break away from the trend than Kabali. The movie gives glimpses of both the yesteryear Rajni and the current superstar but struggles to mix the ingredients well and find the right balance.
The first half mainly builds the plot(around gangster Kabali's life after his release from prison after 20+ years). The community is at his heart and he tries to do good things for them. The scenes where he interacts with juvenile delinquent Tamil kids in a support foundation speak volumes both script-wise and for Rajni the actor. That scene is commonly criticised as a draggy scene, but I felt that was one of the highlights of the film, the way the conversations happen in a casual manner with no importance given to heroism. This scene also helps build the back story which is the crux of Ranjith's plot. The symbolism of wearing suits as a form of protest against the upper classes is established really beautifully. The way Kabali's personal life is woven into the story is also impressive (for the most part). Radhika Apte in the few scenes she appears just nails the role. So much that you wish she had more screen time. Dhansika as the fearless daughter too fits the bill perfectly and breathes a whiff of fresh air when it comes to depiction of heroines in Tamil movies, but at some places her acting and voice-over disappoints, especially at the end of the first half when the revelation ("Appaaaaa") is made. The film abounds with such scenes where one wonders why the editing has been badly done. Of the remaining cast, Attakathi Dinesh shines in his comic role as Kabali's loyalist. Kishore as usual is a class actor in his role as Veera. The main villain John Lee was a big let-down. No complaints about Santhosh Narayanan though. He was the second star of the movie. Brilliant BGM. I just wish "Vaanam paarthen" had a full song dedicated for it like "Maya Nadhi". There are many scenes from the movie that warrant a second or a third viewing, but overall the impact of the movie is "Meh". I can't blame Ranjith for it though. He is just another upcoming director who got too big a responsibility too soon. Let's cut him some slack. One can't expect the CEO of some new year-old startup to quit and go on to head Google.
In a way, Kabali's biggest message is to Rajni fans itself. As a Rajni fan myself, my thoughts at the end of the first half and during the second half conveyed the harsh reality of the Rajni superstardom in Tamil Nadu/India. I really liked the first half which had lesser entertainment value, but built up the core message really well - the plight of the Dalits in Malaysia. The overall response in the theatre though seemed bad. The second half had more thriller-type and entertainment value scenes, which were the typical-Rajni-kicks-villain's-ass and revenge-themed. There was lesser scope for the crux of the movie. I found myself cheering for the Rajni movie rather than the movie itself. I wanted the film to succeed. Here is where I could identify with the dilemma of a person such as Ranjith to make a Rajni film. The scope was there for this film to be really up there as one of the best Rajni movies after he became a super star, but somehow the narration messed it up. That's why I say this movie is a message to Rajni fans. Don't pressurize directors to sell their soul for your superhero. There is more to a Rajni movie than just his style and entertainment value. Relish the character actor in him. Relish his portrayal of subdued emotions. Enjoy the casual conversations he may have as a normal man. Blush along with him when he still achieves romantic sparks at this age. Above all let him do such movies and break away from the formulaic tripe we have become used to.
The first half mainly builds the plot(around gangster Kabali's life after his release from prison after 20+ years). The community is at his heart and he tries to do good things for them. The scenes where he interacts with juvenile delinquent Tamil kids in a support foundation speak volumes both script-wise and for Rajni the actor. That scene is commonly criticised as a draggy scene, but I felt that was one of the highlights of the film, the way the conversations happen in a casual manner with no importance given to heroism. This scene also helps build the back story which is the crux of Ranjith's plot. The symbolism of wearing suits as a form of protest against the upper classes is established really beautifully. The way Kabali's personal life is woven into the story is also impressive (for the most part). Radhika Apte in the few scenes she appears just nails the role. So much that you wish she had more screen time. Dhansika as the fearless daughter too fits the bill perfectly and breathes a whiff of fresh air when it comes to depiction of heroines in Tamil movies, but at some places her acting and voice-over disappoints, especially at the end of the first half when the revelation ("Appaaaaa") is made. The film abounds with such scenes where one wonders why the editing has been badly done. Of the remaining cast, Attakathi Dinesh shines in his comic role as Kabali's loyalist. Kishore as usual is a class actor in his role as Veera. The main villain John Lee was a big let-down. No complaints about Santhosh Narayanan though. He was the second star of the movie. Brilliant BGM. I just wish "Vaanam paarthen" had a full song dedicated for it like "Maya Nadhi". There are many scenes from the movie that warrant a second or a third viewing, but overall the impact of the movie is "Meh". I can't blame Ranjith for it though. He is just another upcoming director who got too big a responsibility too soon. Let's cut him some slack. One can't expect the CEO of some new year-old startup to quit and go on to head Google.
In a way, Kabali's biggest message is to Rajni fans itself. As a Rajni fan myself, my thoughts at the end of the first half and during the second half conveyed the harsh reality of the Rajni superstardom in Tamil Nadu/India. I really liked the first half which had lesser entertainment value, but built up the core message really well - the plight of the Dalits in Malaysia. The overall response in the theatre though seemed bad. The second half had more thriller-type and entertainment value scenes, which were the typical-Rajni-kicks-villain's-ass and revenge-themed. There was lesser scope for the crux of the movie. I found myself cheering for the Rajni movie rather than the movie itself. I wanted the film to succeed. Here is where I could identify with the dilemma of a person such as Ranjith to make a Rajni film. The scope was there for this film to be really up there as one of the best Rajni movies after he became a super star, but somehow the narration messed it up. That's why I say this movie is a message to Rajni fans. Don't pressurize directors to sell their soul for your superhero. There is more to a Rajni movie than just his style and entertainment value. Relish the character actor in him. Relish his portrayal of subdued emotions. Enjoy the casual conversations he may have as a normal man. Blush along with him when he still achieves romantic sparks at this age. Above all let him do such movies and break away from the formulaic tripe we have become used to.
