Sivaji - The Boss

You should not ask any questions about Sivaji. If you are wondering how Rajini manages to live through a huge shock or how he manages to issue those threats to the villain, who has immeasurable political clout, you would be wrong. On the best case, it is like wondering how Spidey manages to extract such a long and strong rope out of his wrist. Or how superman carried that Boeing 737 from up in the skies safely onto a baseball ground.

In the worst scenario, it would be considered blasphemy and you would be pelted with stones.

For the believer, watching Sivaji is like watching a religious ritual for his God. And for the unbeliever, it is a mish mash of noise, pointless action filled with demagoguery. Even if you are not a Rajini fan, it helps to put on the mask of the faithful before you enter the temple, err, the cinema hall. And once your temporary baptism is completed, you are in for a major roller-coaster ride of fun, joy, wonderment and fulfillment.

At 58, the mesmerism of the God hasn’t waned and, well, it only seems to get stronger and better. Rajini seems to have the uncanny knack of authoritatively showcasing his humility only to enhance his aura around him and make the fans gasp. He is the only one working in the movie and rest is mere props. It’s true that Sivaji comes with the best of the talent in the industry. You have Prabhu Deva choreographing the dance, Rahman writing the music, K V Anand holding the camera and none other than Shankar wielding the megaphone. This notwithstanding the other peripheral departments such as costumes and lyrics being managed by the bests in their own fields. But they all should understand that they have to do the best in order to be ‘faintly’ noticed in the presence of the king. After all, you are not going for the movie because they are doing their best jobs because, a quick question: Which is K V Anand’s previous movie? Well, you’ve lost it.

Never mind. Shankar still scores in the middle of the cacophony. Don’t expect me to tell you the story because even though it’s only incidental, it still holds good and is interesting. And never mind again if you find the humor silly and slapstick, or if you find the gravity-defying actions noisy and crazy. You aren’t watching a Shyam Benegal or Mark Forster. It’s that season again and all that noise and jamboree are for the festival for the king, or should I say God?

On a serious note, if you haven’t seen it already, don’t expect a Baasha. That would have to remain the finest Rajini film ever. Go expecting a roller-coaster ride of action and comedy and the king of South Indian entertainment at his best. I don’t think Rajini has worked so hard for any other movie before. Whatever it is worth, go and watch it.

And be immersed in the festivities.