Darbar trailer: Rajinikanth plays the super 'bad' cop with flair 

Rajinikanth enters the trailer walking with fire beneath his feet, and blowing away villains like a storm. If nothing, AR Murugadoss knows the right way to package his former superstar in the first trailer of Darbar. From its first snippet, the trailer captures the mass phenomenon that is Rajinikanth. 

Set in Mumbai, a favourite of Rajinikanth with Kaala (2017) and Petta (2019), the film will see the 70-year-old play Aditya Arunasalam, commissioner of police in Mumbai as he takes on the villains haunting the city. The trailer shows glimpses of a film that is specifically designed to play to the 'super star's strengths. With punchlines, over the top action flicks and a thumping soundtrack by Anirudh Ravichander, the film looks to be as massy as it gets. 

With Suniel Shetty playing the prototype super-villain, Rajinikanth's clash with him is set to be a first. In addition to Shetty, the film will see Nayanthara play the romantic interest opposite Rajinikanth. 

The trailer is predictable in its style, portrayal of the star, and as a montage of the punchlines. This is not to say that it does not have its moments. The final glimpse of Rajinikanth saying 'I am originally a villain' is a sly homage to the beginnings of the actor who went from being a villain to one of the biggest names in Tamil cinema. 

Darbar is directed by AR Murugadoss and is set to release on 14 January 2020. Watch the trailer below and let us know if you are keen to watch the film.