The BOSS !!!

Finally, 4 months after missing Sivaji’s theatrical release, I had my hands on the DVD yesterday. The moment this project was announced in December 2005, it made great news all over the place as it was supposed to be an amalgamation of an intelligent director, Shankar and Rajani, who enjoys larger than life image. As the stills from the movie got leaked, the curiosity levels rose to an all time high seeing Rajani in different (read weird) getups.

Whenever I read / heard about Sivaji, I always wondered if it would end up as a RAJANI movie or as a SHANKAR movie. But I think it ended up as a RAJANI movie directed by SHANKAR. This movie is larger than you can imagine. I will bet that you haven’t watched Style, Romance, Comedy, Action, Emotion and Revenge – all on such a large scale. They have done wonders on Rajani’s costumes and hairstyles. The fact that Shankar used more hairstyles for Rajani than Shirya speaks of what you can expect on the screen. The Climax “gundu” getup with a little tap that he does on his head is “THE BEST” in the recent times and will also remain unchallenged for a long time to come.

As always Shankar brings in a new dimension to an otherwise regular commercial movie using CPR, Money laundering, Black Money and Voice recognition. Not to forget the gigantic beautiful sets. He thinks BIG and executes them BIG on screen. Sivaji is reportedly the most expensive film of South India. Every penny spent shows on screen. The Egyptian palace set in Vaaji Vaaji song, glass house set in Sahaana song is absolutely stunning. He has showed what a director can do with a SUPERSTAR. He worked to RAJANI’s strengths and it has worked wonders for the film.

Shriya or as a matter of fact, no heroin had looked so good before. Again, all credit goes to Shankar for his visualization. As opposed to the regular cruel look of a villain, Suman looked very good in White and White sporting a wide smile. Art by “Padmasree” Thota Tharani and Photography by K.V.Anand is first rate throughout. A.R.Rahman rocked both in songs as well as in the background.

On the flipside, after the first 10 minutes, the next 30 minutes could be trimmed down. The intro song just pops up on the screen and seems to be out of place though it was picturized beautifully. Except for the climax fight, all the fights are a major let down. The saving grace of the climax fight was again the menacing look of RAJANI.

All in all, this is a RAJANI movie directed by SHANKAR. You will be in for a huge disappointment if your were looking for a SHANKAR film starring RAJANI. Otherwise, it’s a paisa vassool commercial entertainer. Kudos to Shankar for raising the BENCH MARK OF A SUPERSTAR FILM !!