Kabali movie review: Rajinikanth is the driving force in this otherwise trite tale!

Pic Courtesy: Movie Still

The boss is back, and this time as 'Kabali'! The magnanimous personality of Rajinikanth is larger-than-life and no frame can fully do justice to his powerful presence. The megastar in and as 'Kabali' had fans eagerly waiting for July 22 to come so that they could catch a glimpse of Rajinikanth—the god!

Let's start by simply saying that 'Kabali' is a story of Indians' plight in Malaysia and how two gangs fight over power and prominence. Whatever happens in between is just a point to prove how Rajinikanth still rules the roost. His look, especially the older one is absolutely killer.

Rajinikanth plays Kabali, who is a good gangster (okay if that even means anything) and returns from jail, only to find that he still needs to set his previous record straight with rival gang 43 (Yes, that's what they are called). Radhika Apte plays his wife Rupa Devi, who has done justice to whatever time she has got on-screen.

Kabali is a poor man's messiah—the good Samaritan who might be holding guns and flying bullets yet he is revered as great. Pa Ranjith has written and directed this open-ended affair, hinting clearly at a sequel in the pipeline. Had the storyline been something really different and not a predictable one, we would have loved it more. Although, the dubbing makes the original dialogues look a little over-the-top and superficial yet we love to see those patent Rajini moves and actions.

The signature pose where Kabali comes and sits all suited-booted with one leg on the other has been beautifully captured from low angles—giving that larger-than-life feeler to his stature. G Murali's camera work is brilliant and not to miss the action loaded punches in the movie.

The filmmaker has deliberately left an open-ended climax because when you are a gangster not all endings are a happily ever after! Watch 'Kabali' because this is a tribute to Thalaiva and you don't really need a reason to watch a Rajinikanth film—mind it!