SIVAJI - THE "MASS"

After a wait of around 3 years another Rajni film gets released and the craze for his films seems to increase exponentially. So whats Sivaji all about? Why was it able to gross around 25 crores in the first week? Why were people willing to shell out hundreds and sometimes thousands, of their hard earned money, to get a ticket during the first week? The answer for all the above questions is one name, that of a man who rules tamil cinema with his superior style, "RAJNI". Another notable name which was eclipsed in this film was that of director Shankar. Shankar commands his own audience and has produced big hits even when there are no big names. So is Sivaji Rajni's film or Shankar's film? I could see the touches of Shankar only in the songs and quite a bit in the first half. Sivaji is an out and out Rajni film with some minor refreshing changes. Notable among these changes are the intro music when name Rajni gets displayed, Rajni getting hit for a change by the Villan, the song sequence during the first night and the appearance of MGR during the final stages of the film.

The story of Sivaji is nothing new. Its about an NRI who comes to India and wants to do good for the people. As usual the baddies don't like it and give him a lot of trouble. The hero triumphs finally..... Errrr.......Haven't you heard these kinda stories somewhere?? Shankar's films are known for the messages it gives to the public and this film is no different. The "BLACK MONEY" which is hoarded in India and what can happen to the nation if the black money turns white has been stated in very smooth flowing screenplay. Shreya plays the lady love of Rajni and provides cloying glamour in the song sequences. She looks cute as a homely "Tamil Ponnu" in the rest of the movie. Vivek has done a good job with his comedy. One more name which deserves  limelight is that of the Villan, Suman a.k.a Adisheshan(in the film). He fits perfectly well in this role. Sparks fly in the face to face sequences between Rajni and Suman. Some notable cameos are that of Raja(Pattimandram), Solomon Pappaiya, Vadivukarasi, Livingston and Raghuvaran.

It's a pity that a talented actor like Manivannan has been made to sit without any scope for acting. I didn't even see him speaking a lot of dialouges. Nayanthara has cut down a lot of fat and is unrecognizably beautiful in Balleleka song. The Music by AR Rehman lives upto its reputition. The picturisation of all the song sequences are good. The fact that Rajni has added some fat in his belly region is evident in cetrain sequences. The sets for Vaa je vaa je, Sahana and Athiradikaaran are extravagent. Athiradikaaran especially with a cowboy type of setting is a pleasure to watch. All the stunt sequences are brilliant evevthough they may defy logic and all the physics laws. You will definitely enjoy the stunt sequences. They are youthful and the camera has been used very well in these sequences.

 The first half is light filled with romance and comedy whereas in the second half Rajni manifests into a Messiah. His new style with the one rupee coin and his trademark punch dialouges( Thankfully he has kept it to a minimum and haven't made them cliches) are refreshing. I could see the traces of Gentleman, Mudalvan and Swades in this particular film. The film lacks a solid story and mark me if there was some other hero it would have been brushed aside...

My rating: Nah watch it and rate it yourself... 

Bottomline: Rajni, Rajni, Rajni, Rajni.............................................Rajni -The "MASS" Prevails.... Chumma pera ketale Athirum.........

KP