Rendezvous with Rajnikanth

OK, I’ve been away for a while from blogging and watching movies, respecting other priorities. I watched Dabangg recently, but that didn’t really impress me enough to write a blog on. Yesterday I watched Robot, and this definitely set my cells racing to pen down how I felt it.


I was hitherto never too inclined towards watching a Rajnikant movie, not that its anathema to me, but watching his action on youtube was enough to be entertained. I recently saw “Shivaji, the Boss”- another cult Tamil movie with Rajni’s patented action sequences, never had action been so hilarious to me before :).

Yesterday was the first time I saw a Rajni movie in a theatre- hoping a hilarious Sunday morning after a busy Saturday. To my surprise though, I found this movie to be truly interesting. It is hilarious, where it should be; at the same time it keeps the interest aroused throughout.

This movie directed by Shankar portrays Vasi (Superstar Rajnikant) as the protagonist- who creates Chitti after 10 years of rigorous efforts. Chitti is an obedient Robot, has knowledge of everything under the sun, yet smart enough not to reveal whatever’s meant to be top secret; is physically as powerful as 100 men, yet a feeling / emotion less machine. Danny plays the antagonist- getting into loggerheads with Vasi out of jealousy. Danny misuses his authority to reject Chitti’s use in helping armed forces. Danny refers Chitti as an emotion less piece of iron who cannot take decisions based on emotions, hence could prove more dangerous than being helpful. Vasi infuses emotions in Chitti, gets him closest to being a human being, but this backfires as Chitti falls in love with Sana (Aishwarya Rai)- Vasi’s girlfriend. Danny plays his cards to influence Chitti against Vasi, and makes him an absolute destroyer. Chitti multiplies himself to form an army of Robots, and finally Vasi works all his ways to save the city and get Chitti back to being a “Good Robot”.

Movie maintains a decent pace and interest till the intermission, brevity in action at a few instances is a welcome change (I believe Rajnikant’s ageing bones are revolting these days :)). Post intermission the movie does lose its pace for a while, but the “Bad” Chitti makes sure you stay seated. Movie runs for 3 complete hours, but could have been more interesting had the director cut a few songs and script writer trim a few unwanted sequences (the mosquito chase for example.) Apart from all these, I believe Shankar has pretty well managed to make his virgin attempt in sci-fi genre, a success (much better than how Rakesh Roshan would have managed). This movie has some amazing sets, (finally laboratories in Indian movies are getting modern and no more show boiling chemicals and flickering LEDs :)); Songs are mediocre, lyrics are senseless off-course :) but are picturised at some beautiful locations, and movie can definitely boast of some good graphics.

All in all, this movie carries all the elements that truly have worked together over years to help Shivajirao Gaikwad take a leap above mediocrity and dwell among the stars as Rajnikant. Mind it- its not surprising that “Superstar” apltly forms an Esquire for Rajnikant, naturally :).

Note: (read: Warning for Microsoft) While typing this blog I realized that MS Word doesn’t recognize “Rajnikant” and suggests it as a possible mis- spell. High time Microsoft realizes and corrects it, before the wrath of Rajni harms them ;).