And you wonder why Rajni is a star?
Watch Baba to know how a movie will run purely on style


South Indian superstar Rajnikanth deserves a Nobel Prize, if not for literature, then for imagination in his latest film, Baba.

An ageing Rajni is paired opposite an ageing Manisha Koirala. And as the film progresses, she adds on the kilos until she attained generous proportions. The audience, for their part, loved her.



The film has cameo appearances of established actors: Prabhu Deva, Nasser and Ramya Krishnan, to name a few. In his earlier movie Padayappa, Ramya Krishnan plays villain. Here, she appears in a shot to tell Nasser that Rajnikanth looks like Padayappa. Sharad Babu (who acts in most Rajni films) and Radharavi add to the list of guest stars.

Each song in the film has been choreographed by different people and the dividends are for all to see. In one song, Rajni dances like ace dancer Prabhu Deva. He tries his best, but fails. Prabhu Deva, who choreographed the number, would do better to make Rajni dance like Rajni and not like himself.

The songs are quite good, if you avoid looking at Rajni trying to dance. Performance-wise, Rajni is good. His dialogue delivery is excellent and his mannerisms, which have won him the huge fan following, continues to enthrall. Can you walk like Rajni? Talk like Rajni? Smoke like Rajni? Drink like Rajni? Fight like Rajni? You cannot. Rajni has his own style.

And Baba is meant for fans who like his style. The film will run on style alone.

Like every other Rajni starrer, this film has a clear political message, too. The film shows Rajni bashing up the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister. And the dialogue, uttered in all his films, is here too: 'Don't fall at my feet. You know I don't like people falling at my feet. We don't have to become the Chief Minister to do good. We can help by being good men and the CM will do good.'

In the end, he comes on strong with, 'I will not forget the salt I have eaten of Tamil Nadu. I will not run away. I will be with you always. I will not ignore the call of the times.' A hint So we are left wondering when time will call him to the post of Chief Minister.

A dialogue which hasn't invoked the ire of the actor-turned-politician M G Ramachandran [MGR] fans is, 'Even our Puratchi Thalaivar [revolutionary leader] is cheating people,' where Rajni hints at MGR while watching the old Tamil film Alibaba And The 40 Thieves on television, starring MGR himself.

****Bottom lin! wait for a DECENT dvd by AYANGRAN! Cheers!!




http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/aug/15baba.htm

I saw BABA on cinema lat night and I have to say that while I was sorely disspointed with this film, I safely say that this film will become a box-office blockbuster around the globe like Muthu and Padaiyappa.

The audience in the cinema in the UK (Wimbledon Odeon) went wild throughout the whole film...never had I felt such amazment from audiences watching a film on cinema. This contributed to a great eveing out because of the atmosphere. There was people dancing, cheering, chanting and even at one point a standing ovation, which I have never seen happen for an Indian film during a normal night-show!

The only Indian film I saw on cinema that garnered similar excitment was Border, and that was way back in 98'.

The film has its moments, from the excellent background score by Rahman, to the stlye from Rajnikant (that guy has not lost his touch) but thats all... like that post above says...this film is just stlye. The film has a weak screenplay, and at times jerky editing. Acting is quite hammy in places (except for Rajni & Aashi Vidyarthi) Special effects are OK, and fights scene do not disspoint. Overall this is in effect an avarage tamil film...sold for a ridculous high price per terrortory!

Rajnikant is an industry himself. Looking forward to a subtitled DVD that I can enjoy at home.

-Bh