Kaala

Leave your Baasha, Naayagan type gangster-savior movie expectations at home - Kaala is a totally fresh and rebellious take on contemporary India and the director's political milieu. As much as I looked forward to devour the thalaivar swag in its unlimited glory, Kaala comes in as a surprise - it's more of a director's movie than a superstar show. Continuing the Kabali momentum onwards to his next movie, Pa Ranjith has brought out the aging but fearless and realistic superstar in Rajini yet again, much to the gladness of his fans who still adore his 80's hits where he acted too! Superstar has showed excellent composure this time as the immigrant dharavi don who plays cricket with his grandkids and romances his wife old school style. Kudos to Rajini for sharing the screen space this time with a whole lot of supporting characters - much to the chagrin of his fans expecting a one man show it looks like. His onscreen chemistry with the relatively unknown Easwari Rao as his wife is excellent par realism, not to mention couple of fights and stand-offs in his signature style. All said and done, it's evident from the first frame that Kaala is an out and out director's movie. Even the signature BGM from Annamalai when they show Superstar Rajini on screen is done away with and the stage is set for the murky politics and social issues probing the slum dwellers. The movie is full of dalit and Ambedkar ideologies and the director has generously sprinkled an ample dose in the screenplay, even putting in subtle references all along the story line to communism, black panthers, Buddhism et al. As it is expected in the current political scenario, milking of the Dravidian ideology and the stand-off between Rajini's Black brigade and Antagonists white army is projected as the main motif for this flick. As the movie concentrates on the slum dwellers fight for land right from scene one, there is plenty of scope for hitting all out at the ruling party and the PM of course, Swachh Bharath, Digital India and the hindutva imagery finding enough space in the antagonistic universe. Nana Patekar is excellent as the silent and cunning Hari Dada - a stereotype Marathi nationalist who locks horns with Kaala over land and people. With all the political correctness that it strives to projects itself, Kaala too falls into the typical Tamil movie cliché of everyone speaking in Tamil in a Mumbai slum and the Marathi minister himself speaking fluent Tamil to everyone!

There was a video floating around a couple of days earlier related to the superstar and the Sterlite Plant fiasco - ironical to say the least - shows how different reel life can be from real life. Shoving the political interests of Rajinikanth aside, Kaala is definitely a milestone in the superstars acting career - maybe not in the best interests of the box office! Those who love Rajini the actor can definitely enjoy the flick!

I will start off by stating this. I have tried my best to reveal any kind of spoilers and I may have to leave out parts due to this. Also, I don't consider myself to be an established film critique. The following is just my personal opinions and observations as a Tamil movie enthusiast and also as someone who follows the Kollywood undercurrents closely.

Kaala is a Pa.Ranjith's movie more than a Superstar Rajinikanth's movie.

First off, thanks to Ranjith for not casting any of his usual supporting actors like Kalaiarasan, Riythvika or Attakathi dinesh. Despite their stellar on-screen performances, their presence in Kabaali's crew left a cliqueish feel(in real-life) among the movie watchers and had a negative effect to be honest. It is so fresh to see new faces(atleast new to Ranjith's cast) in the movie. The cast couldn't have been better for this story.

Now coming to the story and screenplay, the movie, as usual, has strong undertones of the director's political idealogies, infact very similar to madras and Kabaali. The downtrodden versus the establishment/power-structure. I will say that the screenplay is very engaging until the last 20 minutes. Rajnikanth's casting can be classified as 'never on screen before'. Unlike most Rajni's movies, screentime is shared among supporting actors(kinda like Madras if I may say so) and all the supporting actors have played their roles to perfection. Special mention to Easwari Rao, Dileepan(Vathikutchi fame!), Samuthirakani and Nana Patekhar. The movie keeps the audience absorbed for the most part. Most of the emotion is conveyed and gets through to the audience(thanks to Santosh Narayan's magical music). Without giving away any spoilers, I was able to understand whatever the director was trying to say until the last 20-30 minutes after which it kind of gets into a grey area. I felt there were unnecessary analogies drawn to Mahabaratham and Ramayanam and to be honest we got restless towards the end. Too much hype and build-up to nothing but oblivion at the end.Imagine waiting for Deepavali all year long then lighting a flower pot on Deepavali and running back to safety to enjoy the fireworks only to find that this particular one is a no-show. That's exactly how I felt towards the end of the movie.

Rajini's acting has been amazing and his portrayal of the character 'Kaala' is impeccable. The other notable aspect of the story is the full-blown, direct and vehement attack on the country's PM and his party. There are no stones left unturned and there is even a dig at an elected representative named H.Jara(!). I'm waiting for the possible political debate this movie is going to stir-up especially due to the current scenario and recent incidents in TN.

The actors have done their part perfectly and put in a one hundred percent. One can't ask for a better music and BGM. Ranjith has definitely amped up his screenplay game compared to Kabaali. The screenplay is beautifully woven for most parts and except for the last few minutes the movie is so engaging. He seems to have lost something towards the end of the movie which I can't put a finger on too. Maybe there is no proper closure ? Also what's with the rebel dancer/rap/hip-hop youngsters in all your movies, Ranjith? This movie may not be a milestone in Rajni's box-office blockbusters but I believe it is definitely going to be a milestone movie in his political career.

Kaala is a movie where I don't agree with the core philosophy of communism or glorifying a monster like Raavan but I still rate this movie as high because you don't have to agree with the director's viewpoint to appreciate a well made movie. The cast is brilliantly picked and given meaty roles, no mannequins here for item song and fashion parades, dignified ladies with a mind of their own.Rajinikanth and Nana Patekar are like wine who seem get better with age.The screen presence Rajinikanth has is unmatched by any of the heroes North or South. If you are expecting a mass entertainment movie please avoid this and if you are expecting Thalaivar to do punch dialogues/ impossible stunts, please avoid it. But if you are looking for a well made, well-acted movie with a good storyline this is really a watch.Music is a very big letdown though, "Neruppu da" seems to be a fluke by the music director.

First of all, wasn't expecting much as usual. The best things about this movie is the visual, which is very good and that is the end of it. First half is full of love clichés, lot of unnecessary and irrelevant scenes. Second half is bit okish with good visual effects, typical Pa Ranjith style with realistic scenes and a that. Nothing much is addressed in the film except castism and still wondering what was human Qureshi's role in the film, such a waste it was and she didn't even make justice to the role.

The king is back. everything was positive except one may feel rajinikanth punch was needed more in a few scenes