I am I am I am.
Watched the movie yestday night 9.30 show. The atmosphere was just unbeleivable. Hardly felt like we were in US. The movie plex was running Shivaji in 4 theatres for a total of 12 shows and all were sold out. No hindi or telugu or other Indian junta too. Just a lot of hardcore Tamil fans, like really hardcore. People came in veshti, others had t-shirts printed with thalaivar's picture, even others had shaved their heads prompting catcalls of 'motta boss' from others and everything was taken in super spirit. The parking lot was full of cars blaring Adhadikaaran and Sega fighta in full blast, not unlike neighbours in india turning their volumes to show whose music system is better. The mood was just unreal. It felt like being in Chennai for Diwali.
In hardcore tamil style, we filled our pepsi glasses with Mr. Walker's black brand and polished off half the bottle while waiting in the parking lot and the queue and it was madness when we entered the theatre. Hardcore drunk and sober fans were running amok shouting ghumthalakadi ooh-aah and other tamil salutory/ celebratory shouts. Thalaivar shouts intensified, rocket's flew, paper money was thrown, bit papers and confetti tossed as if it were Chennai and we removed our shirts and waved it Sourav style blocking the projector (we were strategicaly in the last row) during rajni's into. There was nothing the Mexican projector operator could do to restore order. So he just caved it and joined the gala.
Coming to the movie part of it, the movie is two halfs. The first half is just okay dokey. Rajni's introduction was below par and the comedy in the first half was ordinary. Vivek's one liners were catchy but they were few and far in between and the set up to that was a small letdown.
The second half - more than, i repeat, more than made up for the first. It easily exceeded the hype for the movie. The second half was just rajni at his mercurial best. Okay, forget the logic, forget the story, Rajni's screen presence and acting has to be seen to be beleived. He takes over the comedy and its way way better than Viveks. The action, the drama, the fights, the background music, the mind dazzling sets, song picturization, camera work, special effects for the fights - you name it, was simply spectacular - just out of this world. It was a completely different movie watching experience - you just give it to Rajni - his action and style and appeal are unparalleled. Just bow to the master. Do i even need to mention the STYLE - one of Rajni's best portraying different styles - the man just continues to amaze.
And the songs - The picturization / video for 'Oru kudai sunlight' and 'Adhiradeekaran' . I had imagined kanna-pinna stuff for adhiradikaran and what i had imagined was nothing. That song is the best picturised song in Indian movies - EVER. Dholare from Devdas can go begging - such was the grandeur. And boy, has Rajni put some effort into dancing. Shriya is stunning. The background score, especially in the last fight (and the last fight itself) were a different level altogether... I cant use words to describe it, they will fall short.
And all this is child's play in a lead up to the last 30 minutes. Having caught fire in the second half, the movie just runs amok. It just takes a huge turn when rajni re-appears as Motta boss. I dont want to spoil it for you. You should savour it yourself, but the last 30 minutes where mottai Rajni appears alone is worth the money. Avan kannula oru veri, oru fire theryum. Oru thimir, machan - chance a kedayudhu. Seriously, pera ketta odane summa adhirudhu.
Some serious thinking has gone into it and it has come out just amazing. You have to be tamil oriented to get it, so its interesting how the reaction for the that segment is going to be in other languages but kudos to Shankar for thinking of that in Tamil. You have to give it to Shankar. I am not really a fan of the man but this movie is the real deal.
Overall, the movie was AMAZING. Just 2 words - Watch it. 2 more words - Right now.
Thalaivar rocks. Rajni is the best. Only Rajni (movie) possible.
Completely lives up to the hype.
Go with an open mind and soak it up.
