User Reviews
2.5
#KABALI - Not for ardent fans! Might work for some neutrals! *** NO SPOILERS *** The most anticipated movie in India till date. All the terrific promotions, two film old fresh director and the biggest superstar combo, the crew's take on how the movie had been shaped up, all these things enlightened everyone like '" Oh boy I am gonna be in for some real show by our #THALAIVAR " So was the movie worth the expectations? It was a No, it doesn't mean that it was an utter crap movie. But it was definitely not up to the storm that it created before release. Well nowadays, directors are more creative in their story lines as well as their promotions. For Example, Karthick Subburaj promoted his movie Jigarthanda as a musical gangster drama but the result was musical gangster movie in the first half and a totally unexpected comedy movie in the second half and the movie worked out so good as at least the first half was like what all expected. Similarly I guess director Paranjith Pa promoted his movie as an action gangster, as the teaser, nerupu da song teaser and the movie stills were like our #Superstar gonna be kicking some bad-ass guys, but the actual movie is more of an emotional gangster drama rather than an action one. Guess this is a major thing for getting mixed reviews !! THALAIVAR : Coming to the movie, it starts up so well by the Malaysian government talking about one of the biggest don in the country followed by the MARANA MASS #Thalaivar's intro which was also one of the best intro's of thalaivar . Nerupu da BGM added so much weight. Even the following scenes of intro too were like Nerupu... Movie then slowed down and never raised up till the climax. All you can see was a totally different Rajnikanth which was the exact opposite of what we all expected. When it comes to performance he was so subtle, cool and emotional as how an emotional don would be like. Even at this age, his screen presence and charisma was magical. But he looked really old :( in some of the portions and the energy which we saw till Endhiran has been lost :( :( . Things that remained and will remain forever were his walk,voice and the king's smile :) which was a wow (Esp in intro, Q&A session scene, airport landing etc). Thalaivar is known for his dialogue deliveries and yes he nailed it but in some portions ( "KABALI DA" those teaser sequences and "KOZHI KARI" ) . There were two lengthy dialogues in the movie but I wasn't much impressed with those performance wise. MUSIC : Santhosh Narayanan's music is a major plus for the movie and mostly in mass scenes. There were scenes which were silent instead of mass BGM. May be it was the director's note to be silent. Songs didn't spoil the movie but wasn't great. Other Actors : Half of the Madras The Movie 's artists are in this one too. Everyone did justice to their roles. Radhika Apte didn't have much frames in the movie, but she traveled along the story right from the beginning. There was one particular scene where she proved her acting. She nailed it and it was an very emotional scene which l liked it so much. Sai Dhanshika was like a supermodel and it was her first action avatar and did a perfect job. Should give credits for Attakathi Dinesh for his unique mannerisms. Direction and Screenplay: It was definitely a very tough job for Paranjith Pa to direct such a huge superstar. He tried to succeed but succeeded in showing a character KABALI and not a hero KABALI. The story is apt for Rajni as he cannot play a young hero henceforth, but the screenplay could have been much tighter to keep the audience engaged. It was slow and lacked details in many parts. No one expected to have superhero stunts or unwanted punch dialogues but there could have been more mass scenes included. It would have been terrific for Thalaivar and that too in this getup. This movie was definitely not mokkai as some says but definitely not for the hardcore fans who expect superstar's energy and mass but for some hardcore movie lovers and neutrals who wants to see him differently. I am a hardcore fan and movie lover , but when it comes to Thalaivar, the fan me is dominating over the movie lover me and yes I am disappointed. EXPECTATION ALWAYS HURTS!! :( ;) :p #StrictlyMyView!!! (more)
2.5
second half climax mass first half killing loga scene mass 'o' mass my rating 64% (more)
3.0
Expectations from a Rajinikanth film is always Sky High, anything less than that, the fans get disheartened. Kabali is a love emotional drama. Rajinikanth proves to be a fantabulous actor in the film and has worked on his expressions in every single frame. Radhika Apte has shouldered Rajinikanth in acting. Unforgettable is Rajinikanth's dialogue in the climax and the fight sequence. BGM is astounding. Apart from the lead pair, actor Dinesh gets applauded by the audience. Considering the age factor Rajinikanth is different now, but not to forget he is still a Super Star. The movie is good. (more)
2.5
Kabali; Personally I felt Movie promotions was a big let down for me!! Once we enter to the theater we expected a movie like Basha But i felt its an Ranjith Film. Technically well sound movie. Take away the Malaysia Tamil line its an simple Revenge film done by an SUPERSTAR.Kabali lacks inbetween Mass and emotional drama. Pa.Ranjith need to be appreciate because he didnt compromise in any scene because of SUPERSTAR. Superstar carries this film as an One man show. Kabali definitely an watchable once but sure its not make an WOW(Personal Opinion)!!! (more)
3.0
Thanks to Ranjith to explore the actor in Rajinikanth. Being a die hard Tamil cinema fan was little worried that after Rajinikanth gets a PAN Indian actor status his movies like Sivaji, Endhiran and his previous Lingaa were all commercial/masala & that might give a bad image thatTamil industry sticks only to commercial movies/larger than life films. With this kabali now other state people might get to know that we have been doing artistic movies too. Coming to Kabali its a 50-50 where Rajinikanth as an actor scored over the complete story line.. However on repeated watch this movie is getting better every time. Kabali is a Ranjith story where Rajinikanth stared in and not vice versa. (more)
3.5
"Kabali" The Movie. Good that portraits the illfate of Malaysian Tamils. Action (fight) and Rajini, Radhika apthe performance are good to mention in the movie. As of how Black, Hispanic and Native Indians live a suppressed in liberal America were they are meant as criminals, drug lords and narcotic addicts, Tamils lead a unfortunate life in Malaysia with together all above titles and movie speaks, documents this for the first time in Indian movie history. A once bonded labours bought from India need to struggle hard to educate themselve and even to wear a coat in the society is a unacceptable act by section of people. This what it narrates. If anything other than this could be found by any, really it is absurd and unwanted. Based on what such accusations are made, no one knows and better creators, viewers be directed in their job. The second half seem to be loosely drawn with logical holes in the screenplay, guessable and highly violent. Have a doubt whether could attract family audience. If the maker had taken somemore time to tighten these, then would be to the full. Dances, Songs and Comedy missing for a Tamil entertainer. If you say "Thalapathi" a Rajni movie, Maniratnam movie, off course Mamootty movie, this one is Rajini movie, Ranjit Movie and a movie of Malaysian Tamils. (more)
4.0
ragini is in the new way of thinking...........hats of him him for give a wonderful movie...it is not pakka mass movie..it is a mass-emotional-revenge for audience..it is not a fans movie...dhansika and dinnesh performed well (more)
2.5
Seems like the director saw Kill Bill Volume 1 atleast once or twice before making the film ..captured the tone but the emotional connect with the hero is missing here compared to Kill Bill Volume 1. Anyways good try and performances. (more)
2.5
Problem lies here is the promotion. I am pretty sure it is a decent gangster love-revenge drama with good performances from Rajini sir, raathika apte, dhansika and cuckoo dinesh. There are 2 problems in the movie first is with the producer who made huge promotions for this dead drama the second problem is with the antagonist and his group. Their performances are very poor especially the Malaysia villain. Okay what about the screenplay, ranjith is strong in his thought to make a non Rajini movie even he succeeded in that but the weak screenplay makes confused him. If he has concentrated more on Malaysia Tamilian's problems it could have been become a very good movie overall one time watch... (more)
4.0
it was a wonderful experience to watch thalaivar movie with old makeup. it is an emotional drama, thalaivar deliver his maximum acting skill in many scenes it works well screen also. it is a rare type of thalavar movie. so let's celebrate guys. (more)
4.0
Rajinikanth playing his age is a huge plus, he did not lost his charm even at this age. As the movie is tad slow drama, Kabali completely relies on his shoulder. Radhika Apte's chemistry with Rajini is something you wont often get it right on screen. This director should be appreciated for avoiding unrealistic scenes like over the top stunt sequence, abroad romance tracks. Its a straightforward approach showing a Don's emotional side. Worth your money ! (more)
3.0
Kabali - a class and mass gangster drama. Rajinikanth delivered his best, screenplay could have been better. Still the movie is good to watch. A Ranjith type movie for Rajinikanth. (more)
3.5
Decent film can't expect more than this from rajini at this age the cast related scene could have been cut short and action can be added (more)
1.5
First 20 mins okay. Ranjith rajini combo not worked well.. On the whole kabali da romba mokka da.. (more)
5.0
Good movie to watch with family & friends.Dont believe fake comments .Its really we want to appreciate him & amaze on his way of acting(stunning,fast,magnetic) At this age ...Superstar given differrent type of movie..Must watch..GO as a cinema lover.. (more)
3.5
Disappointed as a Rajini fan. Lots of build up scenes but action scenes lasted for just few minutes. Too many characters. Story wise it was not anything too extraordinary too. One of the great plus was music but sane time felt that nerrupu da did not get its deserved visuals. Plus: Rajini and music Minus: too much hype on 80s portion and screenplay. (more)