Sivaji

Saw a couple of movies this week. The much awaited one was Sivaji with Rajnikanth in it. I have heard that in places like Bangalore, India people have paid Rs. 16000/- to watch the movie in theatre and in some places the tickets are already sold out for the next three months.

Wow...

Out here, Sivaji was screened by Tamil sangam in a theatre nearby and I went to watch it first thing Sunday morning with a bundle load of expectations.

When it comes to movies all I want is a simple story, and anything above that, like glamour, catchy songs, and larger than life aura is a bonus. Over the past couple of years big budget movies like Anniyan, Chandramukhi, Vettayadu Vilayadu have delivered in every aspect, so a movie with Rajni is bound to have everything and hence the expectation I guess.

The movie is definite yes for masala loving fans, the stunts are very different from what I have seen Rajni doing in his movies, lavish is an understatement for the sets, especially in the songs, and from his coin catching to candy popping, Rajni is at his stylish best.

He completely dominates the movie (surpriseJ) and he also looks a lot younger than one would expect. The first half of the movie kind of passes on but it’s the second half of the movie with Rajni in the revenge mode that drives the movie. And it would have been perfect if they had kept it simple and not tried to cram too much story into the three hours.

The movie has the glamour, the larger than life aura, and Rajni definitely lives up to his reputation, but there is just too much disconnect.

The love angle is uncomfortably jutted in, it need not even be there, there are too many tangents to the story line, and not enough time, the screenplay, though for a big budget Rajni movie, is passable, only a couple of songs are above average, and the ending is hurried. Vivek has been funnier in other movies, but he holds his own, next to Rajni. He definitely has a presence in the movie. The main villain does not have enough time on the screen; there is not enough time to hate him. The movie has all the masala, all the fancy clothes, elaborate sets, etc but you get the feeling that something is amiss.

Though I loved watching Rajni being Rajni, the movie was not a hit with me.

I do not see myself going to the theatre again to watch Sivaji, but I guess I will be watching it again sometime on the small screen. And I am once again waiting for the next Rajni release.