Title :Kaala
CBFC Rating : U/A
Run-Time : 2 Hrs 46 Mins
Release Date : 7-06-2018
Banner : Wunderbar Films
Cast : RajiniKanth, Huma Qureshi, Nana Patekar, Eshwari Rao, Samuthirakani, Arundhati, Dileepan, Manikandan and Others
Music : Santhosh Narayanan
DOP : Murali
Producer : Dhanush
Direction: Pa.Ranjith
Story :
Kari Kaala (Rajinikanth) is a Powerful Man in Dharavi where people shows immense respect for him. When a Politician Hari Dada (Nana Patekar) tries to snatch Dharavi through a Government Project, Kaala stands between him and his people to save their land. What are the hardships Kaala faced and how he stopped Hari Dada forms the rest of the story.
Performance:
Superstar Rajinikanth is in a free-flowing form in Kaala. Right from the simple introduction to solving the problems of the colony people, the star is at his charismatic best. However, Rajini brings his best game into play in all the scenes versus Nana Patekar.
Eshwari Rao and Huma Qureshi playing the female leads have strong parts. They are integral to the narrative and deliver a memorable performance. Eshwari Rao especially is lovable and is sure to leave an impact for her domesticated chemistry with the Superstar.
Nana Patekar stands out in the movie due to a powerful antagonist character. He talks less, and gets lesser screentime, but has resonance in the narrative equal to the hero. His shadow looms over the story along with the hero. The actor lives up to all the build-up given to him.
Samuthirakani, Arundhati, Dileepan and Manikandan standout among the family members of Kaala. Each has got a unique part, and they all do justice to it. The rest of the cast is apt for the small roles they have been given.
Positives:
Rajinikanth’s Presence
Nana Patekar
First Half
Interval
Negatives:
Gets slow in the second half
Analysis:
Pa Ranjith is back with a new outing starring Superstar Rajinikanth. Unlike the first film Kabali, Ranjith displays all his political ideology by wearing it on a sleeve in Kaala. There is no separation between the politics and story here.
Kaala is God of masses in Dharavi, and that is established as a matter of fact. What happens, when the God faces a real challenge in the form of a powerful politician hell-bent on destroying the lives of the people at Dharavi is neatly and in detail showcased. How the process of war between the powerful, tears apart the lives of Kaala’s family members is also neatly presented.
The first half has a proper blend of family drama and powerful action with the political backdrop. The interval bang is terrific with the introduction of real evil. The problem starts in the second half when the movie gets all political and showcases the dark but predictable realities mixed with a naïve fantasies. There is an emotional and logical disconnect, considering what happens in the end. What we get is a not entirely fulfilling watch much like the first combination of Ranjith with Rajinikanth.
Musically no songs stand out as a highlight. However, Santhosh Narayanan makes up with the background score where many moments are appropriately elevated. The cinematography is stunning, and it captures the claustrophobic environment of the Dharavi well. The editing should have been tighter. The writing is on predictable lines if one gets the directors basic ideology.
Bottom-Line: Rajini’s Mass Avatar
Rating: 3/5
