Rajnikanth - Fish out of water !!
It was the first or rather the 2nd Rajnikanth movie for me to watch in theatre.. I do not know what I had expected to see.. But somehow it beat all the expectations I had ..
I like him somehow.... those eyes of his have captured thousands of Tamil people's hearts (yeah.. not an exaggeration) ..and even though am not a fanatic of his movies.. I like him...
It is his latest - ' Chandramukhi ' & I had watched it along with some of my friends in Matunga ..It was a different experience seeing a Rajnikanth movie in Mumbai ...
But before u read on I just want to write a disclaimer
' The views expressed here are not intended to hurt anybody's taste . It is solely intended as a topic for discussion' .. Thanks.. now read..
Rajini is not that good an actor.. he fails miserably in sentimental scenes... he doesnt know to dance or atleast u can say that his dance is not graceful ... he doesnt pronounce Tamil the way it is supposed to be ...he started out his career as a villain & he doesnt even have the conventional good looks ...But he still has such a following .. that you wonder .. what does this guy has going for him ?!! Does throwing a cigarratte in mid air & catching it by your mouth make you a Super Star .... ??
His counterpart Kamal Haasan has all the above things & more ... good looks(but now he is also growing old & some people may not accept what I am saying), a great actor ... a dancer.. a Tamil writer cum poet... an artist in many ways .... pours his heart and soul into the movie.... he does have a big fan following .. but nowhere comparable to Rajini's... why is this so ?
It has always been the vogue in Tamil Film Industry to have 2 cine idols at any time .... from the birth of the industry around the 1930's... It was Thiagaraja Bhagavadhar and P.U.Chinnappa (T.R. Mahalingam was also around the corner .. but these 2 stole the limelight) to begin with..
My Grandpa used to say that they used to be so crazy of those old musicals that the movies used to run for a year or two.... imagine the same this day & age.. the producer will become a multi millionaire with just one movie like that...
Even though the duo captured many hearts with their voice.. they were dethroned by another breed of actors who are considered to be incomparable even today ... 'M.G.Ramachandran' & 'Sivaji Ganesan' .. They ruled the Tamil cinema for almost 30-40 years that it feels as if they have done everything that there was left to be done .. The dialogues written for them by 'Kalaigner Karunanidhi' especially for Sivaji Ganesan are an ode to an era which stands out in its clarity of thought & power of speech .....Both of them had a fan following like none other & again even though Sivaji was considered to be a better actor .. MGR stole the cake when it came to masses.... One of my teachers at school used to say that he has seen his village people literally worshipping the place he walked ...
After these veritable giants came Rajini & Kamal ... Both consider themselves proteges of 'Sivaji Ganesan' and were more close to him than his own son 'Prabhu' as proclaimed by the great actor himself...
I am digressing ..but on all counts , it is always the mass appeal that seems to matter ... Both MGR & Rajini portrayed their characters or it so happened that the characters that were given to them from almost the beginning of their career had a 'people' touch in them.... the songs that 'MGR' sang had so much social message in it .. that even my father who is a pro 'Sivaji' fan never fails to enjoy them.. not so much for the music .. but for the message in it... Both have a certain aura around them... that is very hard to discount...
One could atleast deduce that MGR because of his political aspirations had to do such things to convey to the masses his ideals .. but everybody wonders what Rajini's intentions are when he gives a punch dialogue here & there meant to convey something more than it is intended to...even while time and again he gives press conferences about how he is least interested in reaping political mileage & so on...
'Chandramukhi' was supposed to be a movie of a girl falling prey to split personality played by Jothika (somewhat nicely)... Rajini plays the part of the psychiatrist .... and he looks totally lost in that role....very unconvincing... the story was pulled out from a Malayalam movie .. mixed with some inedible masala .. and the climax that was supposed to be so thrilling became a colossal mockery ...
Why is it thought that whatever they dish out will be accepted ? Whatever is the story .. the usual Rajini fan is going to watch it atleast twice .. so why dont they have the feeling to make it better for the sake of the rest of the audience .. beats me...
Rajini has given out good performances in the likes of 'Thalabadhi', 'Mannan', 'Ezamaan' & some other older movies during the 80's , the names of which I forget ... but truely good acting ... be it comedy or serious drama..
But now even his dialogue delivery has taken a beating.. Before it seriously affects his image of a Super Star... it is better if he quits acting and does other behind the scene roles.
Rajini - Fish out of water !!
Signing Off
Sundari
I like him somehow.... those eyes of his have captured thousands of Tamil people's hearts (yeah.. not an exaggeration) ..and even though am not a fanatic of his movies.. I like him...
It is his latest - ' Chandramukhi ' & I had watched it along with some of my friends in Matunga ..It was a different experience seeing a Rajnikanth movie in Mumbai ...
But before u read on I just want to write a disclaimer
' The views expressed here are not intended to hurt anybody's taste . It is solely intended as a topic for discussion' .. Thanks.. now read..
Rajini is not that good an actor.. he fails miserably in sentimental scenes... he doesnt know to dance or atleast u can say that his dance is not graceful ... he doesnt pronounce Tamil the way it is supposed to be ...he started out his career as a villain & he doesnt even have the conventional good looks ...But he still has such a following .. that you wonder .. what does this guy has going for him ?!! Does throwing a cigarratte in mid air & catching it by your mouth make you a Super Star .... ??
His counterpart Kamal Haasan has all the above things & more ... good looks(but now he is also growing old & some people may not accept what I am saying), a great actor ... a dancer.. a Tamil writer cum poet... an artist in many ways .... pours his heart and soul into the movie.... he does have a big fan following .. but nowhere comparable to Rajini's... why is this so ?
It has always been the vogue in Tamil Film Industry to have 2 cine idols at any time .... from the birth of the industry around the 1930's... It was Thiagaraja Bhagavadhar and P.U.Chinnappa (T.R. Mahalingam was also around the corner .. but these 2 stole the limelight) to begin with..
My Grandpa used to say that they used to be so crazy of those old musicals that the movies used to run for a year or two.... imagine the same this day & age.. the producer will become a multi millionaire with just one movie like that...
Even though the duo captured many hearts with their voice.. they were dethroned by another breed of actors who are considered to be incomparable even today ... 'M.G.Ramachandran' & 'Sivaji Ganesan' .. They ruled the Tamil cinema for almost 30-40 years that it feels as if they have done everything that there was left to be done .. The dialogues written for them by 'Kalaigner Karunanidhi' especially for Sivaji Ganesan are an ode to an era which stands out in its clarity of thought & power of speech .....Both of them had a fan following like none other & again even though Sivaji was considered to be a better actor .. MGR stole the cake when it came to masses.... One of my teachers at school used to say that he has seen his village people literally worshipping the place he walked ...
After these veritable giants came Rajini & Kamal ... Both consider themselves proteges of 'Sivaji Ganesan' and were more close to him than his own son 'Prabhu' as proclaimed by the great actor himself...
I am digressing ..but on all counts , it is always the mass appeal that seems to matter ... Both MGR & Rajini portrayed their characters or it so happened that the characters that were given to them from almost the beginning of their career had a 'people' touch in them.... the songs that 'MGR' sang had so much social message in it .. that even my father who is a pro 'Sivaji' fan never fails to enjoy them.. not so much for the music .. but for the message in it... Both have a certain aura around them... that is very hard to discount...
One could atleast deduce that MGR because of his political aspirations had to do such things to convey to the masses his ideals .. but everybody wonders what Rajini's intentions are when he gives a punch dialogue here & there meant to convey something more than it is intended to...even while time and again he gives press conferences about how he is least interested in reaping political mileage & so on...
'Chandramukhi' was supposed to be a movie of a girl falling prey to split personality played by Jothika (somewhat nicely)... Rajini plays the part of the psychiatrist .... and he looks totally lost in that role....very unconvincing... the story was pulled out from a Malayalam movie .. mixed with some inedible masala .. and the climax that was supposed to be so thrilling became a colossal mockery ...
Why is it thought that whatever they dish out will be accepted ? Whatever is the story .. the usual Rajini fan is going to watch it atleast twice .. so why dont they have the feeling to make it better for the sake of the rest of the audience .. beats me...
Rajini has given out good performances in the likes of 'Thalabadhi', 'Mannan', 'Ezamaan' & some other older movies during the 80's , the names of which I forget ... but truely good acting ... be it comedy or serious drama..
But now even his dialogue delivery has taken a beating.. Before it seriously affects his image of a Super Star... it is better if he quits acting and does other behind the scene roles.
Rajini - Fish out of water !!
Signing Off
Sundari
Comments
Although Sivaji Ganesan was a better actor, MGR beats him by miles as far as mass appeal is concerned. The proof was his funeral procession..which was attended by a record number of people!
And yes..Dont ever try to compare Kamal Hassan with Rajnikant..This is a farce to say the least.
GAURAV
MGR's funeral was attended by actors,politicians & the entire population in chennai & rest of Tamilnadu..because he had been chief minister ...
A good blog. Infact the better of all in terms of writing :-)..seems to have matured...
however regd the dicussion..I wud say individuals cannot be compared...each 1 have their own merit & demerit but some click well coz of being at the
rite place at rite time (which matters a lot)!!!!!!!
jus an opinion :)
.. adhu Mr. Anonkkum purinju irukkum.. But accept pannikaradhukku pakkuvam illa..
thats ok.. take it in the way it was intended...
The buyers are there because of the Aura factor of Rajini..
But don't u think that aura is thinning out??!!
Kamal is known for his talent,
Rajini is known for his fantasy..........
Sometimes its fantasy that takes over talent , For ppl who know and appreciate art like kamal..... Some like Rajini for his mass appeal , as u said.....
But its high time, both of them give way for young talent to come into the industry, so that we can see something new, fresh and more entertaining as what this indutry claims as....always....
I wonder who this is ? any clues ??!!
Just read ur blog..got the link from Cancerian(I assume his nick name to be cancerian..) newayz..real nice blog...rajni was always appreciated for his message oriented films...a prinicpled simpleton who is challenged by a goon and then transforms himself into an over achiever in one song..like Mr Chandrumukhi said(or is it Ms Chandrumukhi)..he is a fantasy man...If at all I decide to go for his movie..I don't carry any expectations at all..I just lay back and enjoy(most of the times try and enjoy..'cos I wouldv'e got the ticket in black)..Kamal on the other hand is a talented guy but is busy trying to rebel and shock or should I say scandalize ppl with his thoughts or movies...just saw mumbai express yesterday and was totally bored...wat a criminal waste of talent..newayz..I concur with Chandramukhi..New faces ought to come up with some fresh talent before both the stalwarts of Tamil Cinema get boring and predictable..The comment block will be used generously by me..wink!!I am sorry for such a long one..The point being..this is a good blog and well written..
am still finding out who is Chandramukhi.. am as much in dark as u ..
Kamal has a different view of most the things.. and as v all c .. most of the time.. that the talented are eccentric ...
Its Ms and not Mr.
Probably even i am carrying a dual personality ;-).....
But Sundari, why have you named your post as Rajnikanth - Fish out of water?
Does that mean , he is no more in industry ??
Chandramukhi........
As for your review of Black u hv asked for the reader's fav scenes - well, i wud luv if u cud read my views on the film :
http://randomexpressions.rediffblogs.com/2005_13_02_randomexpressions_archive.html#1108277879
As regards, me, since u hv read Priyangini's latest post, I will not be that alien a character :-))
Deepak
http://randomexpressions.rediffblogs.com
thanks for commenting in my blog... i have visited ur blog once before...& u r not an unknown character to me.. thanks to gaurav ..
i dint mean that older actors/actresses should fade away.. they should play roles of their age... i know of movies where some old actors play the role of a college going characters .. such mockery!!
I had felt that spark u r talking abt when I had seen 'Padayappa' ...
I had felt the sheer power of Rajini's screen presence in that movie.. Again the acting ability of Rajini was the same... But it dint matter because of the way he held himself in that movie ...
hi sundari
to begin with i like this name than the usual with which u r called.
excellent blog................
nice hand writing...wink....jus kidding
ur blog is really gud.
i was not knowing ur talent at all.
One of my team mate also writes blog and the blog abt. Black has come in the Filmfare.
Now coming to the point...........
i dont understand how ur expectations drown when the same r not lucid.
i strongly disagree the statement "Rajni is not that good an actor"
bfor defending the statement let me clear one point, is i understood that this is a general statement of urs
abt. Rajnikanth and hope u've not refered this movie alone.
i forcefully chose this as u swerve thro'out ur blog many times which u admit too................
and there is discrepancy in the view u've abt. Rajinikanth's performance also.
u lashed Rajnikanth as an actor rather commenting on Chandramukhi.
I astonish how could u say that after watching "Aarilirunthu Arubathu varai", "Engeyo ketta kural", "Thillu Mullu", "Netrikkan"
"Kai Kodukkum Kai", "Puthuk Kavithai", "Mullum Malarum".
I strongly feel dance and conventional gud look r not indispensible for being an good actor.
Thank god he doesn't know to dance with grace & hav. conventional gud looks.
If he possess those also nobody else would've survived in the film industry.
U've asked abt. the fan following also.
My dear u've the answer in ur queryt itself.
All those who throw cigarette and catch it by their mouth cant b superstars and simply he did not reach such a position.
Its the performance and personality which fetched him.
I hav. never seen such a response for an actor outside the region he belongs to.
Do not compare Kamal Hassan with Rajnikanth.
It would b like comparing Ilayarajaa and A.R.Rehman.
Rajnikanth performed extremely gud in many of the movies where he had scope for the same.
As u know scope for acting was there for Rajnikanth in the movie "Moondrumudichu" than Kamal Hassan
and Rajnikanth's performance was splendid than his counterpart in that movie.
Exactly after a consistent overwhelming response, he got trapped into an image.
After that he didn't give importance to his acting ability, which his crazy fans least or doesn't bother about.
He started to give only gestures, styles, punch dialogues and etc........
He had done a many performing roles.
U'd written abt. songs also.
As u mentioned no way Rajnikanth's songs r despicable than M.G.R's.
Again, its not about Chandramukhi, I wont giv. justification for the views u have with Chandramukhi.
We watched "Manichitrathazhu" the Malayalam original of "Chandramukhi".
One of us liked the performance of Jo than Shobana who received National Award for the very same role.
For ur information, many crazy fans of Rajinikanth doesn't like the movie much as it served less
what they really anticipated from the movie. Obviously the style, gesture, punch dialogues etc.......
Again no justification.
Rajnikanth had tried to come out of that image trap in "Baba" which was not acceptable for his fans.
But now the 57 years old shark is not out of water but out of the image tank.................................
Arun
First let me clear, whether you are commenting about the film chandramukhi or Rajni?
If you are commenting about the film,you may be wrong,(upto me).The story itself is really thriller and something different.I hope all people willn't like these kind of stories.(of course, fear is one of the reason) You just imagine ,if this story was real....Ancient time,big palace,dancer,giant king,her revenge.....In present day, again all are coming back.all these things will be wonder and miracle if your heart feels the real story from Chandramukhi's view.I saw this film last night.But still the film thinkings are arounding me.i hope the story is something different and touches heart.
If you are commenting Rajni,some questions to you.How should a psychiatrist be looking ?Is he very old,with white dress,with white french beard and bald head?In this character,he is a jolly man.I hope, he doesn't show his usual styles, fights, indirect commenting,good songs and mainly humours.That could be the reason that you dont like this movie.i too accept that in some scenes, he does too much which is unbelievable. But i can understand that all are for satisfying his fans.(First oru fighta paartha nooru fight paartha madhiri...)
I can say that contributions are as ,rajni-25% and Story(and Jyothika)--75%. As majority is in story side, the film is good.
First let me clear, whether you are commenting about the film chandramukhi or Rajni?
If you are commenting about the film,you may be wrong,(upto me).The story itself is really thriller and something different.I hope all people willn't like these kind of stories.(of course, fear is one of the reason) You just imagine ,if this story was real....Ancient time,big palace,dancer,giant king,her revenge.....In present day, again all are coming back.all these things will be wonder and miracle if your heart feels the real story from Chandramukhi's view.I saw this film last night.But still the film thinkings are arounding me.i hope the story is something different and touches heart.
If you are commenting Rajni,some questions to you.How should a psychiatrist be looking ?Is he very old,with white dress,with white french beard and bald head?In this character,he is a jolly man.I hope, he doesn't show his usual styles, fights, indirect commenting,good songs and mainly humours.That could be the reason that you dont like this movie.i too accept that in some scenes, he does too much which is unbelievable. But i can understand that all are for satisfying his fans.(First oru fighta paartha nooru fight paartha madhiri...)
I can say that contributions are as ,rajni-25% and Story(and Jyothika)--75%. As majority is in story side, the film is good.
First let me clear, whether you are commenting about the film chandramukhi or Rajni?
If you are commenting about the film,you may be wrong,(upto me).The story itself is really thriller and something different.I hope all people willn't like these kind of stories.(of course, fear is one of the reason) You just imagine ,if this story was real....Ancient time,big palace,dancer,giant king,her revenge.....In present day, again all are coming back.all these things will be wonder and miracle if your heart feels the real story from Chandramukhi's view.I saw this film last night.But still the film thinkings are arounding me.i hope the story is something different and touches heart.
If you are commenting Rajni,some questions to you.How should a psychiatrist be looking ?Is he very old,with white dress,with white french beard and bald head?In this character,he is a jolly man.I hope, he doesn't show his usual styles, fights, indirect commenting,good songs and mainly humours.That could be the reason that you dont like this movie.i too accept that in some scenes, he does too much which is unbelievable. But i can understand that all are for satisfying his fans.(First oru fighta paartha nooru fight paartha madhiri...)
I can say that contributions are as ,rajni-25% and Story(and Jyothika)--75%. As majority is in story side, the film is good.
First let me clear, whether you are commenting about the film chandramukhi or Rajni?
If you are commenting about the film,you may be wrong,(upto me).The story itself is really thriller and something different.I hope all people willn't like these kind of stories.(of course, fear is one of the reason) You just imagine ,if this story was real....Ancient time,big palace,dancer,giant king,her revenge.....In present day, again all are coming back.all these things will be wonder and miracle if your heart feels the real story from Chandramukhi's view.I saw this film last night.But still the film thinkings are arounding me.i hope the story is something different and touches heart.
If you are commenting Rajni,some questions to you.How should a psychiatrist be looking ?Is he very old,with white dress,with white french beard and bald head?In this character,he is a jolly man.I hope, he doesn't show his usual styles, fights, indirect commenting,good songs and mainly humours.That could be the reason that you dont like this movie.i too accept that in some scenes, he does too much which is unbelievable. But i can understand that all are for satisfying his fans.(First oru fighta paartha nooru fight paartha madhiri...)
I can say that contributions are as ,rajni-25% and Story(and Jyothika)--75%. As majority is in story side, the film is good.
1. Mullum Malarum
2. Johnny
3. Netrikkan
4. Ninaithale Inikkum
5. Moondru Mudichu
6. Pathinaaru Vayathinilay
But nowadays I just watch his movies coz I dont want to miss out on any of his movies.