A Day Out With The One and Only Super Star - Part 4

When you have had an intellectually and emotionally satisfying film, what's the next course of action?

Of course, if not satiate then at least meet the physical requirements of the body's demands so that it effectively functions.

There are 1000s of restaurants in Chennai. But, since you have come out watching a good Thalaivar movie, wouldn't it be suitably appropriate and tailored to the occasion if I weren't able to sink my teeth on the lines of a Super Star themed outlet?

No Fret for me.

As there was already one in Chennai (Read: Prior due diligence was done by me on the previous day!), I was able to reach the place without any hiccups.

The moment you enter the small joint which is located at a stone's throw away from the Bessie Beach, you are immediately flooded with Rajnikanth's yesteryear's classy and cool portraits on the left with a big painting/image of 'Thillu Mullu' Rajni on the right to welcome you.

Of course, Selfie time. But, while dispersing.

Good Start to the place though.

There is always a popular Super Star song playing in the background (Rajni-themed restaurant.. Obviously!) with punch dialogues inscribed near a gloriously looking picture of Rajnikanth exactly across my table. 

Starting with a Strawberry Soda & Fried Cheesy Fingers, the place is a heaven for all Super Star lovers as there were extremely cute animated images of Rajnikanth of all shapes and sizes beautifully imprinted on circular plates which were hanging just above my head. 

The aplenty cheesy fingers were more than I could have had and the rest were doggy-bagged. The crispiness of the taste was okay. And, there are no complaints regarding the Soda as well.

But, the Tandoori Paneer Sandwich had a tad too much salt which ruined the otherwise healthy mix of vegetables and sauces in it. 

The worst was yet to come. 

The Penne Arabiatta was so spicy that it was like licking a spoonful of reddish-orange flowing volcanic lava which is enough to burn one's mouth. My taste buds, which are usually tolerant to spicy foods, just couldn't handle (or tonguele) the vast amounts of chili flakes in it.

It was like the chef had emptied the entire repository of chili flakes into the recipe!

Yep.

It was a recipe for disaster. On that particular day when I paid, pun intended, a visit.

Maybe, it could be better on another day with the proper palatable edibility. 

I don't know.

But, you just can't let the one item spoil the rest of the good things in the restaurant, right?

Mistakes happen. All of us are not Gods.

Okay, at least me.

Overlooking that blip, SuperStar Pizza is a must-visit place if you are a die-hard or normal or even neutral fan of Thalaivar where you can hang out with your friends and immerse in the never-ending exciting experience called Rajnikanth. 

                                                               X---Concluded---X

PS 1:

They have some really tongue-in-cheek and uber-cool names for their menu which will positively leave a big smile on your face as you are reading or scanning them on the a la carte.

PS 2:

Nope.

The title was not click-baiting.

I never said anywhere or indicated even remotely that I spent quality time with the REAL Super Star in person. 

All my title reads are:

"A Day Out With The One and Only Super Star".

And, going and judging by the day where I spent a heavy and significant chunk of my time with Kaala and then with the SuperStar Pizza outlet,  I am telling the truth that it was indeed a day out with the one and only Super Star.

I am only responsible for what I say and not for anything that's inferred by anyone.

A Day Out With The One and Only Super Star - Part 3

For those who had missed out the previous parts due to any number of reasons,

here are Part 1 & Part 2 for your kind reference before delving deep further.

The man who has captivated the audiences with his spell-binding mannerisms and inimitable styles for generations - Rajnikanth.

Don't ever forget the name.

Ever.

In Kaala as well, he has sizzled through the scenes with oomph and panache - Read: without any of his evergreen punches or high-octane action stunts. For the fact, the role in Kaala is his most subdued and low-keyed ever since 'Anna Malai' yet no compromises on his on-screen presence.

Despite the fact that he had a toned down character, there were no scarcity or dearth in his flamboyant personality which only he can achieve - Like the Flyover Walk before he umbrella bashes the bad guys or the one-strike bamboo with his foot and it lands in his hands (though it had a striking reminiscence to Justice League but way better than it because of the 'Rajni' Phenomenon)

For all these years, he has eternally trapped himself into playing 'Mass Appeal or Larger-than-Life Hero' that many were labeling him as a non-performer in terms of a strong character-oriented role.

With his age fast catching up now, Rajni has perfectly started to unleash his character-driven latent ability mixed in the right proportion with his innate talented on-screen presence and charisma.

At times, you have the feeling that 'Kaala' reminded of 'Kabali' like the way he walked down the steps or the initial confabulation between Zarina-Rajni which was of similar ilk between Kabali-Radhika Apte. But, the character presence of Kaala is way too stronger, meaningful and powerful than 'Kabali'.

It was also due to two factors - Nana Patekar (NP) and SaNa's BGM.

That one scene where NP and Kaala were sitting F2F in front of each other was as mind-blowing as Padayappa-Neelambari.

NP was whacking great as the antagonist for the sheer menacing and frightful intimidating nature which was buoyed up further like a Python-swallowing-its-prey BGM whenever he is on the frame to create the sense of dread and strike fear into the hearts of his adversaries. He was calculatively ominous though it was a sliding loosener where he is shown to have let his guard down and come to the assumptive conclusion that Kaala was dead when there was no evidence to the contrary.

I was not much of a big fan when the songs hit before the release but when in sync with the moving frames, it sounded good. A decent job with the songs but the BGM - Smashing. 

Speaking of smashing, the three ladies (Kaala's wife, Huma and Anjali) were outstanding in their respective roles. Be it when they dared to speak against Kaala or use his name to him or shout for their people's troubles - They were not mere showpieces in scanty clothes to dance around in exotic locations but had a sizeable and substantial edge to their characters which drives the plot and story forward than frivolous giggles and demure timidness who are waiting for their knight-in-armor. Their performances reminded me of the three fantastic leads in Iraivi.

Encapsulating, if people went in to watch the dashing and slashing Rajni with their thought processes tuned in with his yesteryears BO hits like Muthu or Sivaji or Enthiran, they may or may not like this one.

But, when you see Kaala as simply Kaala, then you will not only appreciate the Ranjith's efforts to tackle such a serious socio-cause head on but also Rajni's mellowed yet scintillating character-oriented stylish approach that has been hidden in plain view all this while.

Kamal Hassan Ji - Beware!

Rajnikanth - the character-centric natural and realistic person is on the loose.

                                                                X---To Be Concluded---X

PS:

With Shankar's 2.0 around the visible corner, it's going to be business as usual for Rajni as it's sure shot to be a typical Super Star film with lots of punches, pun definitely intended, and VFX (which is what most look in a normal Rajni flick) unless I'm proven wrong. 

What I'm looking forward beyond 2.0 is Karthik Subbaraj's new venture with Thalaivar especially with the firework Ani holding the reins of the music composer.

That said and done, if Rajni's swansong is like Wolverine's Logan with Super Star going all ballistics and berserk (character wise and style wise) in his last outing in the future as a movie star and sends his fans into a state of euphoric fervor in the event he is awarded the National Award for such a performance, that is the highest high in his illustrious long career for the person to solely redefine entertainer in the Cine Industry.

A Day Out With The One and Only Super Star - Part 2

Continuing from Part 1,

Kaala is 50.01% Rajni film and 49.99% Ranjith's to be exact with the percentages of mathematics.

You can literally see Ranjith's touch everywhere like the "Ravana Kaviyam" book on the table or be naming one of his characters as Lenin. He walks his talk just like what he accomplished in Kabali.

There were far too many adorable and a screamer of moments like Zarina speaking in English and Kaala's wife responding to her or Zarina-Kaala convo in the restaurant or Kaala's wife's jealousy when she says she would go behind her childhood lover. 

Fantastically depicted and endearing scenes which you could watch over and over again.

But, where Ranjith had strangely faltered is the total duration of the movie ( My best estimate is to be edited somehow by at least 20 mins) and the way he had shown Lord Rama as villain and Ravana as a hero when the basic common sense dictates that Rajni who fights on behalf of his people is actually Lord Rama and the politician is Ravana for having the "I-want-to-rule" selfish mentality. He had literally and figuratively flipped the characters of Rama and Ravana to suit, insert and push his agenda into the mainstream real world.

Also, "Manu" Builders or "Hari" Dada is a direct and flailing attack on the sentiments of the Hindus.

It's a good thing that no one from the ruling BJP - State or Centre - did not create a loud hue and cry thus promoting the movie further with no additional Marketing costs incurred for the team of Kaala.

Maybe, was that the primary or secondary reason as to why Ranjith had included such controversial names and character sketches in Kaala?

I don't know.

What I know for the certainty is that sanity prevailed finally after the disastrous debacle of Mersal (Nope! not from the movie's POV but from external factors!) as the lessons have been properly learned by those who shot from the hips then without any forethought so as to magnanimously give an unbridled publicity at no charge to the makers of the films.

However, given the incontrovertible fact that the director speaks extensively and passionately about rights and equality, what would be incredibly interesting to see is whether Ranjith has the same level of guts to talk about Christianity or Muslims in such a belittling manner with his forthcoming movies especially when the great Tom Hanks' 'The Da Vinci Code' faced severe brickbats when it was due to release in our country or Kamal Hassan's 'Vishwaroopam' which got embroiled in a neck-deep controversy prior to hitting the screens.

Only Ranjith can answer this question as he is the one who had incorporated it into the film.

Sin embargo, when you take away this particular portion of the movie and watch it as a larger picture (pun intended!), Ranjith has created a beautiful narration with enough humor, intelligence, a hard-hitting societal-focussed script that shows the trials and tribulations, plight and flight, doom and gloom of multitudes of people who live in wretched and squalid conditions and deserve nothing other than a better life without being at the mercy of anyone but on the own merit and self-respect.

What excellent way to project such a strong concept other than the cinematic medium with Super Star at its helm.

And, Yes.

He has also made the best use of Rajnikanth - the actor, character, performer, and entertainer - to his maximum effect.

                                                      

                                                               X---To Be Continued---X

A Day Out With The One and Only Super Star - Part 1

'WHATTTTTTTTT'?

'SERIOUSLYYYYYYYY'?

'ONE DAYYYYYY with THALAIVARRRRRR'?

'OMGGGGGGGG'!

Supposing you had no inkling of such questions in your head, then you are not a Rajnikanth fan.

If you are having more curiosity like a cutie kitten and bursting like a 1000 wala cracker on Diwali on my meeting with Super Star for a day, I will definitely brief or flush out the full details starting with Kaala.

Yep.

Kaala.

Personally, I loved the central theme of the latest Rajni starrer - Land is for survival and not for power.

Ranjith has crafted a phenomenal storyline surrounding the slum and the dirty politics deeply mired in the grab-for-land heavy tussle between Kaala and the Politician. Kaala's dad being murdered by the politician adds the extra twist and weight to the already loaded script wherein in usual masala films, it would have been a regular revenge saga devoid of substance and intelligence.

The director had shown his flair and smartness throughout the movie by making sure it's not a run-of-the-mill vengeance story but an out and out social cause where the lives of thousands of people are at stake and Kaala carries on the mantle from his dad by being their to-go person whenever the situation escalates or when he should be in the forefront and fight for his people being their chieftain.

Ranjith's smartness can also be seen in the neat flashback as to how Rajni lost his first love - Zarina - using vivid placards instead of opting for Digital De-Ageing Technology or applying excess make-up for Thalaivar to show him as a youngster.

This naturalness is carried forward to the full length during the initial scenes where the family has an informal conversation or in Nana Patekar's house where the kid tells him "Thank you for not killing him".

The realism is genuine and authentic and not forced anywhere - be it the slum setting or Kaala's family. Some stunt sequences may have gone a bit too much like the climax where Kaala is shot and the godown explodes but Rajni being Rajni remains unscathed.

If Ranjith had thought that it will spring a surprise to the hard-core fans or neutrals or general audience, it simply falls flat as it was as plain as a tasteless Coconut Water that Rajni will be there to settle the scores with the politician.

Nevertheless, he had shown tremendous deftness when he hyped that Rajni would go all-bonkers when the latter said "Kya re, Setting-aaa" but it was his sons and gang who took to the streets and made us (read: me) to wonder and ponder when will Rajni be in the thick of business to take down the goons one-by-one as Kaala is the ganglord and there were no action scenes until then - at least with Rajni being the active participant.

Likewise, Rajni's intro was as normal and realistic as it could have been when he's bowled by a small boy instead of showing him to hit a six of the last ball and winning the match.

Yo Man.

Your title says "Day out with Super Star" and you are singing praises of Ranjith - the Director.

It will be answered in Part 2.


                                                      X---To be Continued---X

Dead Pool 2 - Alive & Kicking - Again & Again!

When Ryan Reynolds took a dig, pun intended, at Wolverine in the nascent stages of the sequel, you know that you are in for a treat considering the fact that the teasers and trailers were excellent foreplays.

Was it orgasmic? 

Yeewwwwwww.

So crude and earthy is your language. 

If you didn't get this train of thought after reading foreplay and orgasmic, Voila! - You are one of the ideal material to have seen Dead Pool (DP) as it necessitates no further explanation that I'm maintaining the spirit of the movie with those words' usage.

Did I just elaborate why I did it when I had categorically stated that I wouldn't?

Hmmmmm.

Maybe, DP's wicked humor also strongly latched onto me like Vethalam to Vikramadityan!

But, if you did feel that my word application is gross and sexually explicit, you should definitely need to have some neural fine-tuning to watch this kind of a movie. 

Take for example.

Cable marks his arrival from the future and gets into a car/van. For all those lynx-eyed who are always on the lookout for the unmissable bawdy hilariousness for which the DP series is well-known, you don't get disappointed by the scriptwriters.

You see a pair of metallic circles tied to the bottom of the car/van that resembles the testicles and it dangles sideways as the car/van progresses forwards.

The teaser and trailer gave us (read: me) enough chuckles but the movie was sated with minute-a-big-laughter moments with either self-deprecating jokes or referential mocks and taunts or innuendos that were, at times, bordering on risque and in some places, they hit you in the face like a person missing their frisbee.

Basically, DP continued with where they left in the previous outing.

Only this time, it was even better.

The makers were secretive enough to not let Juggernaut anywhere near the trailers but emphasized on the battle between DP and Cable that it was a bolt out of the blue when Cable and DP joined forces along with the X-Force to take down the common enemy.

The story can't be simply put forth like this as it has a level of intricacy tied to Cable and the plumpy boy, DP and the Plumpy Boy, Cable and DP, DP and his Girlfriend, Plumpy Boy and Juggernaut and finally, DP and X-Men.

Oh Yes.

The most important thing connection - Audience and DP. He he he he he..

 So, it can't be simply said that Cable and DP fought against a common enemy.

It becomes blasphemous and irreverent when the screenplay is stripped down to its core in such a manner.

Just like how Wade Wilson turned into a child and exposed himself when he was in the blind lady's home.

Every character had a role to play. 

Even Vanisher. Rofffllllllllllllllllllllllll. Brad Pitt. A pleasant surprising cameo.

Just felt that Dopinder and the Hi-saying girl in the X-Men Team could have had more interaction with the story rather than the bit lengthy climax where Cable used time travel to save DP.

Cable sacrificed his love (for his daughter and wife) knowing very well that he cannot see them again for DP without any expectation.

But, does that mean he will not live with them in his memories for the rest of his life?

Of course, he will.

His sacrifice just means that he did a selfless act, having no strings attached, so that DP can rise and shine again.

Cable cannot and will not forget his wife and, mainly, his daughter but he will continue to live his life with them in his heart and soul along with his newfound family in the present timeline.

Love.

Not the dumb and idiotic things they show in romantic novels and movies.

Hey...don't get me wrong.

I am not against romance or love but I am only against those who unequivocally and axiomatically equate candlelight dinners and ritzy spas as love when, in reality, they are just add-ons and enhancers which spice up a romantic life.

Consider this - A doesn't care and love B but mechnically gives exotic gifts and extravagant moments - Is it love?

IMHO, it's not.

A family is when both A & B share and care for each other not only in good times but also in troubled times and in doldrums.

If A doesn't reciprocate B's share of share and care, then it's mere foolish one-way traffic.

As defined by the agenda in the beginning phase of the movie, DP has got a loving family in the former case by the conclusion of this fun, funny, witty and exciting sequel.

Let's just hope that DP 3 antes up the bar further by incorporating newer elements to give us yet another rollicking boffo of a movie.

PS:

If the Disney acquires the rights of DP, X-Men and Fantastic Four, it would really be a FOXy deal as the MCU planners will have several options for umpteen number of cross-overs for the next 30 years.

Already, they have their gimlet-eyes set till 2028.

PS 2:

My personal favo is when DP travels back in time and shoots himself while reading the Green Lantern script.

Ulti. Mate.

PS 3:

So, was it orgasmic?

Oooohhhh. Ahhhhhh.

Nadigayar Thilagam - Que Rica Vida!

Ah!

Keerthy Suresh (KS).

Hmmm.

I have never been an admirer or even a fan of her.

The reason is as straightforward as a Sachin's textbook straight drive!

Her ebullient inscape drives her to buoyantly act more than for what she is written a cheque or to use Paytym's phraseology - "Paytym Pannu" (Translation: Use Paytym) her money for the film by the Producer that she has acted.

It's not that she gets under our skins at all times but when she does go overboard, it's like a caricature is artistically done for another caricature.

But, in Nadigayar Thilagam (NT), she fits the role like a fist to a glove.

Be it a teenager who is starry-eyed about famous heroes or the clap-worthy scene where she brings just and only just one drop of tear from her eye or a compulsive alcoholic who even forgets her own children and gets swindled by her trusted person in broad daylight or the selflessly large-hearted nature which propels her to touch the lives of many - KS has done a ridiculously remarkable performance that will definitely be adorned as a feather in her cap for her toiling sweat and tears, pun intended, for NT.

Yep.

That was one huge paragraph like the movie's duration.

Yet, there wasn't even a single dull moment sans the climax where Samantha's monologue was more than glorification or acclamation for Savithri's wonderful personality on/off stage - Samantha was apotheosizing.

It was like the legend Savithri had taken a rebirth in the form of KS and wanted to relive and retell her life in its entirety all over again on the big screen to enthrall her fans through Samantha.

Speaking of Samantha, she had a stammering but breezy and meaty role where she played her part to perfection - the church scene or her indefatigable spirit to get to the bottom of Savithri's dad.

As we are on the subject of Samantha's dad, it was a good narration to have flowed out NT as a jigsaw puzzle rather than a monotonous exposition of Savithri's life.

Just as I was wondering who was the person mentioned in the letter, the director aptly gave us the answer in the fag end of the film thus neatly wrapped it up like a Subway Sub.

But, what I couldn't understand is that when Prakash Raj could take the extra effort and speak with KS's uncle about her relation with Dulquer, why didn't he or wasn't even shown anywhere when KS was in a dire financial distress and strained circumstances?

It beats me!

Since I have touched upon Dulquer, he has simply aced being Gemini Ganesan (GG) as the Lover King (Kadhal Mannan) as he was affectionately called with the moniker by everyone in the cine circle.

Only GG's family will know for sure to the exact extent that he was projected in a bad and dark light throughout NT.

The BGM was hair-raising and inspirational.

No wonder Samantha extolled her virtues and exalted Savithri to such a degree.

Of course, I can't comment anything about her acting prowess in Telugu as I haven't watched any.

But, from whatever she had done her roles in Tamil, if not all at least some that I had the privilege to see in my childhood days, she was really good.

As we are nicely surfing on the topic of Telugu and really good, it was also really good that the movie had subtitles because the majority of the film was in Telugu and to a non-Telugu speaking audience like me, it would have been a criminal waste of time and money if there hadn't been any subtexts.

To compress it like a WinRAR file, NT depicted the life story of not only the weals and woes of Savithri but also her unseen magnanimous side off the screen that has deservedly earned her the name "Mahanadhi".

Respect Savithri mam.

For the full richness of life that she has lived - be it financially or immense appreciation and adoration from all quarters in her professional arena or her ups and downs in life or her kind-hearted nature.

And, yes.

Respect KS.

Still, I am not your fan.

But, a towering respect for the way you have easily handled the deep mix of emotions with such finesse.

I sincerely hope that your over-exuberance is tightened a little so that your complete range of acting talent is in full view like NT instead of the hyper-animation.

Only the future holds the fact whether I become your fan or not.

For now, respect respect respect.

PS:

The best is always reserved at the end.

Coz the dessert is served at the end, right?

There was a dialogue where a popular yesteryear actor - Sivakumar - was mentioned.

The moment his name was uttered, many in the audience immediately turned their heads towards the commendable actor and dad, of the supremely talented - Surya and insanely sunny - Karthi, who was seated in the back row.

For a fleeting moment, most of them had their focal point of attention on Shivakumar than Savithri.