Chennai: Kabali stakes are high in terms of its gargantuan budget and a lot is riding on the ‘brand Rajini phenomenon’. It is indisputably the most anticipated movie of 2016. The makers, Thanu of V Creations, is leaving no stone unturned and is releasing Kabali in as many as 4,000 screens in India alone. The Tamil and Telugu versions of the film will release in 400 screens in the US - the biggest for a Rajini starrer.
Rajinikanth is famous for his mannerisms — flicking his cigarette straight to his lips, and delivering punchlines that are dialogues on their own. But many filmmakers fail to realise that Rajinikanth can also pull off a role closer to his age — without make-up and showy punch dialogues (meant to satisfy his huge fan base) — with just as much confidence and versatility.
Kabali is Pa. Ranjith’s third outing after his critically acclaimed and box office hits Attakatthi and Madras. Kabali may not be the quintessential Rajinikanth film. Though it is learnt that the movie has enough mass moments to satisfy Rajinikanth fans, there is also a strong story which is its USP.
“I never planned to make a film with Rajini sir because my genres are totally different. So when Soundarya called and said that my name was being considered, I was really surprised. But she said he loved my film Madras,” says Ranjith. He continues, “I had two scripts - one was about a Malaysian gangster and the other was a horror genre. Soundarya said that the script of the Malaysian don would suit and asked me to narrate the script. I did so with no expectations.”
Ranjith says that the best part was that Rajini was so simple and made him so comfortable when he went to meet him. “He first talked about my film, Madras, for about half an hour praising each and every scene. Then I could narrate the Kabali story well and with confidence”. “No sooner did I finish narrating the script, did he say, ‘Super!’ Having listened to the narration carefully, he discussed its merits and flaws.” However, the young filmmaker says that he was not at all in a happy mood when he came out of Rajini’s house despite the star agreeing to work with him. “I could not enjoy the happy moment as the responsibility and expectations of fulfilling Rajini’s belief in me, bothered me,” he smiles.
The film deals with the problems of third and fourth generations Tamils who relocated to the rubber estates of Malaysia and how they were treated as slaves. Kabali alias Kabaleeswaran was one among them who takes up the issue of fighting for the oppressed.
On Rajnikanth as an actor, Ranjith says, “He is like clay. We can mould him in whichever way we want. His flexibility is amazing.” Despite his huge star status, Rajini listened to him as if he was new to the industry. “Sir may have been used to filmmakers who would have said okay to his performance even in the first shot itself. But I could not do that. There are scenes when I have gone for many retakes to get the right feel. But sir did not mind and would do it till I say okay. Sometimes, in the combination shots, other artistes would have goofed up. Still he would start from the beginning. All said and done, there were many superb scenes he okayed in a single take.”
After watching the movie, Rajinikanth sir said that Kabali would be one of his favourite films in his career and I hope it would be so for the audiences too, Ranjith signs off!
