The charisma of Superstar Rajinikant and the
magic of his acting cast a spell on us too, as his new film Darbar opened in
7,000 screens all over the world some days ago.
This encouraged us to book our tickets online for a show at a
theatre in a famous mall in the city. In
the film what appealed to us is that despite attaining the septuagenarian status,
Rajini manages to mesmerise the audience with his own style of liquidating his enemies with uncanny ease, dancing like a bubbling youngster and making fast
strides, besides uniquely putting on sun glasses and delivering punch
dialogues.
THE SEPTUAGENARIAN RULES
(By Subbaram Danda)
The storyline of Darbar has nothing
spectacular about it. It revolves around
a police commissioner, played by Rajinikanth, tasked to quell the
well-entrenched drug and women trafficking mafia in Mumbai. What is unusual is that he employs his own
methods, mostly extra-judicial, to crush them.
“I am a bad cop,” he articulates with a flourish. He fortifies it by
another declaration that “originallave naan villain daa” (I am an original villain,
of course).
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| Rajini sets out to subdue the mafia |
The female lead in the A. R. Murugadoss
directed film is Nayantara, whom widower Rajini dates gingerly. Her role is more ornamental than substantial,
which is a disappointment. Nivetha
Thomas, as Rajini’s daughter from his late wife, brings in quite a few sentimental
moments. She shines brilliantly, as
father-daughter scenes turn emotionally endearing. Suniel Shetty in the role of
a ruthless gangster adds depth to the film. The
comical side-kick for Rajini is Yogi Babu.
He tickles our ribs now and then providing occasions of relief in a film, which
is full of serious action, fights and violence.
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| Nayantara in a dance sequence |
Rajini’s punch dialogues retain their quality
of being sparklers. “Left le vechiko,
right le vechiko aana straighta vechikkade…” (Have security men on your left or
right but never straight…) is one such. What raises one’s eyebrows is his
advice to young couples in a song, “Purushan pondatiya illama, nanbargala
irundhinganna vaazhkai nallayirukkum” (Your life will be fine, if you don’t live
like husband and wife but stay like friends.)
 |
| Yogi Babu trying to attract girls |
The musical scores are by Anirudh. A refreshing new trend has been set in a
song, where the hero himself sings the first line “Chumma Kizhi,” which has
become a craze among Rajini fans. The song "Dum, Dum" resonates, as a massive dance troupe performs in a huge colourful setting. The
make-up, costumes, atmospherics and the able work of seasoned cinematographer
Santosh Sivan together try to impress us that age is only a number for
Rajinikanth.
 |
| Nivetha Thomas at a party |
There are quite a few incongruous situations. One wonders how Delhi can
appoint the Police Commissioner of Mumbai.
The senior cop in uniform never wears his cap! After a mafia-orchestrated accident Rajini’s daughter is
diagnosed with a major brain injury and the doctor declares that she would
survive only for two hours. Interestingly, the doctor conveys this to her,
while she is standing and listening to him intently.
Do they form part of the cinematic liberties?
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| A massive dance programme in a colourful setting |
The film, produced by Subaskaran under the
banner of Lyca Productions, has received mixed reactions and reviews. It must be said to the credit of the director that despite some shortcomings the 160-minute film manages to hold the audience interest right through and moves on a fast track. Our verdict: Darbar entertains.
January 17, 2020
