Law of physics dictates the plausible outcome when opposite forces act on an object. Sandwiched between the two forces was the legacy and future of undeniably the biggest film Superstar ever to come out of the Indian peninsula. Contrary to populist theory, you would be smart if you went in buying into the cue from the latter and not influenced by the former. Now let’s look inside the film itself.

The greens and the pluses:

1. Rajnikanth aka Thalaiva aka The Superstar. He delivers his style and panache crisply packaged in suavity and substance. It speaks volume in subtleties and not brashness. He blends well into the roller-coaster ride of emotions as the proceedings mandate (the bonding with daughter and with wife is one such, the scene where he sinks knee-down into the lush green lawn reflecting and contemplating is another to name few of many). The closeness in age of the star in real and that of his reel character has helped Rajini blend in well.
2. A fusion of contemporary and retro background music adds significant depth to the narration. It aptly punctuates the mass scenes with appropriate score. Rich cinematography is refreshing and juxtaposed with intermediate non-linear narrative adds vivid color and contrast to the story-telling canvas.
3. Radhika Apte. Brilliant performance by this talented actress in the role of Kabali’s wife, Kumudhavalli.
4. Daring climax. The lesser said and written about it, the better. You have to see it unfold.

The reds and the minuses:

1. Fragmented antagonists. The story clearly lacks a strong antagonist and conflict, along the lines of Mark Anthony (in Baasha) or Neelambari (in Padayappa) or Adiseshan (in Sivaji). Instead what we see is a mashup of mediocre antagonists that lack any conviction or substance to challenge Kabali.
2. Depth of Kabali, the character. It seems to me that The Superstar had surrendered himself to the script-writer and storyteller. Unfortunately, neither has done full justice to either the star or the actor lurking in the star. More depth in the chief protagonist character could have done wonders (like Baasha or Annamalai). A lack thereof implies a crisscross of intentions.
3. Magizhchi  – such a powerful one-liner! It could have been a great punch statement with some variety in modulation but I think the storyteller underestimated it’s potential.

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