Kaala

Kaala, while an improvement over Kabali, doesn't really know how to project Rajinikanth in the Thalapathi like avatar where we last saw a perfect blend of mass and class.

Here, Ranjith follows Nayagan's episode of the Sait-ji trying to tear down the slums (this case, Dharavi) for land opportunities, and makes it the crux of the film. While it sounds promising on paper, the total duration of 2.46 hours doesnt not take this idea and revolutionize the fights, struggles and politics behind it until you're done sitting through the Kaala-Zareena-Selvi love triangle shoehorned in for effect for about half an hour (though honestly, Eswari Rao as Selvi is damn good, you wonder why Huma Querishi's role exists in the first place.)

After sitting through a pointless love triangle, we see Nana Patekar (in a more muted role despite flashes of his brilliance) posing as a Modi/BjP like figure trying to (again) do what the Sait-ji did in Nayagan. The rest of the film shuffles between Kaala-isms, Ranjith-symbolisms & the eleventh hour ladais which should have been built up somewhat in the first place.

I really don't know how hard it is to write a good Rajnikanth film. I expected at least a Thalapathi like sensibility while opting for a Madras like execution. Instead we are left confused. People who oppose BjP sentiments will adore this film, people who are Superstar fans will be let down. People who are Ranjith fans will be left satisfied. Things are shoehorned in and rushed (barring the Umbrella goondagiri fight) till that Holi-like climax.

It almost feels like after Kabali bombed, Dhanush wanted a do-over and brought the two together, instead, Dhanush offered script compromises (love triangle, umberla fight, usual punch scenes, etc.) which feels like an executive meddled film overall (please see VIP-2 for reference.) And why in this day and age, are we dubbing over Non-Tamil villians in Tamil?

See it on stream if anything else.

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.

#Kaala what a matured mass movie !! ..Rajini...what an actor..!! many good moments and dialogues throughout!!

Few other chars are impressive too..sema villain...sema bgm.. !!

As a Rajini fan,u will feel the joy inside and could have the hangover for at;east till the next day ..what an entertainer Thalaivar for 40 years !!!

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

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!