Sivaji Review
The combination of "Superstar" Rajnikanth, hit director Shankar, music whiz A. R. Rahman and production house AVM... Wow! no wonder there was so much hype around this movie. I know very little Tamil, but my friend, who introduced me to the world of Tamil and Malayalam cinema 12 years ago (thanks to him I enjoyed movies like Thevar Magan, Roja, Kshana Kshanam, Alagi, Sethu, Kaliyattam, Maha Nadi, Bharatam,Kazzcha, Guru (Mal) etc.)promised that it would be worth it... Well, was it? Read along. I was apprehensive, to be honest. I am not a Rajni fan and could never understand the frenzy that he whips up everytime his movie is released. Catching Sivaji on the first day show, I could understand why! To director Shankars credit, I enjoyed this masala fare thoroughly despite the language bar. The first half was very light, laced with a heavy dose of humor, led by comedy starVivek and Rajni, in that order. The oneliners were obviously very good, going by the response of the crowd. The second half brought in the serious stuff, the message on corruption, not very different from Shankars usual fare, which I think has almost become a template of sorts.. Be it his Hindustani starring Kamalhassan, Mudhalvan (Nayak in Hindi) or his previous hit Anniyan (Aparichit in Hindi)- they all had one common theme, about an ordinary mans fight against the system and society, told using technical wizardy, with a very unconventional sensibility: at times subtle, at times stylish and at times over the top, but always appealing to a wide spectrum of audience - from the so-called masses to the multiplex crowd. In that sense, Sivaji is no different. But... Whats the USP? The biggest differentiator of course was Rajni. Wow, what an amaazing personality he brings to his performance! He is so energetic andso stylishat this age (he is in the same league as Amitabh Bacchan, probably afew years younger), that he made it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The guy who played the suave villain, Suman (yet anotheruni-gender Indian name that I am coming across, after Prasanna, Sheetal, Viral and Ramani) was very good. My friend tells me he was a big hero back in the early 80s in Tamil and Telugu and played Shashi Kapoors role in the Tamil remake of Deewar, opposite Rajni, who essayed Amitabhs role). The heroine Shriya (or is it Shreya?) was eye candy. She didnt have much to do, except to look pretty both as a simple Brahmin girl next door and as the sexy dancer in outlandish costumes in the extravagantly choreographed songs. However she did have a few good scenes, and was not just a prop. Technically Sivaji is several notches better than many of the recent Hindi movies, though most of the technicians in Hindi filmsthese days are from the South. Cinematography (K. V. Anand), art direction (Thotta Tarani, who is famous for his work in Mani Ratnam films in the 80s and 90s), action (Peter Hain), editing (Antony)and music (A. R. Rahman) was very good, though I felt a bit let down by Rahmans score overall. I expected much better fare from him for a Rajni film. The second half was Rajnis show all the way, with a scintillaing and engrossing climax and the credit goes to director Shankar. So, when the final credits rolled, my friend was looking at my face for my reaction, and before he could ask, I yelled, "Thank you. I enjoyed this sumptuous and spicy meal. And Yes, it was worth it". Seriously, after a long time, I enjoyed a good Masala movie. If it gets dubbed in Hindi, I would definitely watch it again. P.S:Looking atmy new found enthusiasm to Rajni films,my movie crazy friend Subbu, who has taken on the role of my official guidetoSouth Indian movieshas promised that he would get me the DVDs of Rajnis earlier films like Moondru Mudichu, Mullum Malarum, Avargal and Badshah when he returns from India this summer. He says that these movies showcase the versatility of the super star. And I am looking forward to it.
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