Analysis

When two powerful film personalities – legendary star Rajnikant and maverick director Shankar team up, one expects fireworks on the screen. But Shankar this time offers nothing new and extraordinary. Their first ever combination is just an average film at the most. Shankar who never tasted commercial failure falters this time due to his weak script. For die-hard fans, it might seem 'cool' but general audiences it is just an okay film.

Shankar, the master storyteller, has chosen familiar theme to present Rajnikant in new style. But he choose to mix regular Rajni’s film formula (hero losing everything in the midway and winning back it from starting from the scratch – Narasinha, Arunachalam etc.) and his style of theme (hero fighting for a better society) to get results. But the mix is mismatch. He has focused more on giving Rajni a different look (rather here many weird getups) than telling a story with convincing manner.

He has tried to tell Ramayanam without a strong Ravanasurudu.

The entire first half is some kind of joke. There is no story before the interval. Rajnikant wooing Shriya with old-fashioned way is far from entertaining. Post the interval the film picks up but it doesn’t really make us feel awestruck as we are used to Shankar’s earlier works. It is regular stuff. He has shot the film lavishly. There is grandeur and technically it is brilliant.

Performances

Rajnikant still possess a lot of verve. There is grace and style in his acting. He makes us sit for even in dull moments with his performance. He also looks very young thanks to his getups and lighting method. Rajni has used mannerism of saying – “Cool”. And has repeated some words like “Debba Adursu Kada”. His get up as NTR with gundu is really good. But there are no punch dilaogues, for which he is famous for. That is big minus.

Shriya has looked very glamorously in the film. In the songs, she seemed like diva. She gets meaty role and she has done it with élan. In Manish Malhotra's designed clothes Shriya sizzled.  Suman who played negative role after a long time is really good. He walks away with brownie points but his characterisation is weak. Vivek’s comedy is just okay. Raghuvaran makes special appearance. Nayanatara appears in a song that comes first in the film but the song is not that appealing.