Kabali review: No script, no solution, but Rajini da!

Film: Kabali (U)
Rating: 3/5

There is nothing that quite approaches the mania surrounding a Rajinikanth film. It is the Cinco De Mayo of Tamil Nadu. The man is the closest thing India has to... scratch that, there is no one who compares to him. Rajinikanth is revered for his grace, accepted for his flaws, and forgiven his bad choices. Kabali, sadly, brings out a combination of the last two emotions.

Kabali could be defined as a gangster revenge drama. The film begins smartly with its highlight, the entry of Rajinikanth. Having spent 25 years in a Malaysian prison for a bloodbath, the story of which is revealed later, he walks out of the caged coop like Zlatan Ibrahimovic out of Paris. The walk, the dapper suit, the stylish beard, remain with him through the first half. Just enough time to salvage the ticket money with whistles and screams of 'Thalaiva'. 

Kabali is a former don who helps waylaid, drug-addled Tamil youngsters in Malaysia through his Free Life Foundation. But within him, he carries the desire for revenge against his former associates, Veera and Tony Lee (played to the T by G Kishore Kumar and Winston Chao, respectively). Kabali also has a past, one that he is in search of throughout the film. The past carries memories of his wife, Kumudhavalli (played by Radhika Apte) and a daughter.

So, why did such a good man turn to violence? We then launch into a lengthy flashback describing the man's rise to the highest echelons of the Malaysian underworld. The film hits the brakes hard before the intermission with the overdramatic ambush by the villains on Kabali's family celebration. 

The second half begins with Kabali's extra-long search for his wife, along with his daughter Yogi (played by Dhansika). All this while he is simultaneously plotting the downfall of his enemies and surviving assassination attempts. How, you ask? Rajinikanth, we say.

The climax arrives a little too late. When it does eventually arrive, it begins and ends abruptly, leaving you disappointed. There are references to multiple cult classics like The Godfather (1972) and Nayagan (1987, which was influenced by The Godfather) in the climax.

Rajinikanth is perfect as the ultimate don, confident in his power and menacing in his anger. His coolth makes up for the lack of punchlines and a rushed dialogue delivery. Although Hindi might not be the best language to hear a Rajini punchline in.

Radhika Apte does a commendable job of stealing scenes from the veteran in a role where she has little to do. Her restrained emotions and control seem enhanced in the surrounding drama of the film. Of the rest of the cast, Winston Chao stands out as the man who controls all. However, the rest of the supporting cast are let down by the mashed-up script.

Jeeva (played by Dinesh) seems like a forced character and contributes nothing to the script. The movie falters by having too many stories running parallel to one another. None of them reach a satisfying conclusion, adding to the frustration of the audience.

The over-the-top action sequences are expected, though the superstar seems a little uncomfortable in them. If only the director had sat down to tighten the script, eliminated the unnecessary speeches and tied up the loose ends, it could have been a more entertaining film. The end raises more questions than it answers, and that is never a good sign; unless you have made Inception (2010).

For future references, may we suggest watching the superstar's previous Baasha (1995) and Annamalai (1992)? Director Pa Ranjith, whose previous works include the smart Madras (2014) and the cult Attakathi (2012), disappoints by trying to play up the legend of Rajinikanth instead of propping up the story. In a previous interview, the director had admitted that working with the superstar was 'an awesome experience... nothing can compare to it'. The feeling comes across in the film, as it sometimes seems like a YouTube mash-up of Rajinikanth's best scenes.

Santosh Narayanan's music is apt for a Rajini film. The entry tune for the superstar is catchy. 'Aag hu main' is a surprisingly good earworm, and makes up for the lack of punchlines in the film. The introduction of a rap song seems a mandatory thing for films these days, but it works for Rajinikanth's swag. 

Director: Pa Ranjith
Cast: Rajinikanth, Radhika Apte, Nasser, G Kishore Kumar, Dhansika, Winston Chao, Dinesh Ravi
Producer: Kalaipuli S Thanu
Music: Santosh Narayanan
Runtime: 152 minutes