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margin that was evident when the trailer release was
received with an unprecedented fanfare.
Shankar’s chronic attachment to the subject
of “Corruption” has finally ended with
this movie where the social message is refreshingly
different but as simple as his previous ones although
he has stuck to his distinctive narrative style that
is replete with grandeur and hold-your-breath-or-lose-out
scenes. He has deliberately let his limitless imagination
take control of the proceedings that is comfortably
placed on a base subject that is solid and raw for
the Indian film industry. In the process, he has inadvertently
opened those elusive doors for other directors to
experiment and also retain the indigenous commercial
elements of Indian cinema. His extraordinary attention
for detail and captivating screenplay ridiculously
belittles the logical defects. Shankar was ably backed
by the most formidable team ranging from super stars
and miss worlds to technical wizards, all supported
by a magnanimous production company called Sun pictures.
The
technical aspects of the film can be described in
one word “Spectacular”, for Indian standards.
This movie necessitated and borrowed the help from
Hollywood studios for delivering stunning visual effects
in the form of CGI and animatronics but the conception
of its final outcome is seamlessly original. The cinematography
is worth a million applauses as it not only charms
the audience at scenic outdoors but it also pampers
them with a multitude of colors at indoors. The art
director has given a pertinent feel to every shot
in a way that knows his boundaries and doesn’t
refrain from being creative at the same time. The
stunts and action sequences are nothing short of world-class
and it only enhances the script rather than being
squeezed into the story for the sake of it. Costume
design and make up departments that usually take a
back seat have been given equal emphasis contributing
to the already magnificent setup.
If we disregard the fact that ARR’s compositions
have to be listened multiple times before you get
hooked to it, this soundtrack will obviously seem
ordinary. “Chitti dance” song is as riveting
and rocking as it can get, whereas “Arima Arima”
brings the seldom experienced kingly flavor to the
table. Background music is top notch for most parts
of the movie. Aishwarya’s perceptible chemistry
with Rajni is a welcome surprise as she hovers on
the thin line between gorgeous looks and good acting
and she succeeds in achieving both. Danny as a high
profile villain is another classic example of Shankar’s
immaculate casting.
Arguably in his last movie as a middle-aged Hero,
Rajni Kanth has scaled the feat of inscribing 3 challenging
characters onto his proprietary super star image with
as much élan as one would expect from the legendary
actor whose larger than life persona has overshadowed
his acting prowess hitherto. Given the role of a diligent
and a persevering scientist hell-bent on achieving
his goal, he masterfully complements that with a subdued
and a modest attitude combined with shrewdness. As
an acquiescent robot called Chitti, we get to see
a never-seen-before avatar of Rajni who is not only
childishly innocent but also fights for justice using
all the skills that are at his disposal. In the latter
half of the movie he transforms into a killing machine,
which he does with supreme imperiousness and wit that
belongs only to him. The emotionless face of Chitti
brings emotional tears to the audience at the end
that is as befitting as it is ironical.
In summary, Endhiran is not just another good movie
but a significant landmark in the history of our film
industry. Everybody who watches this movie will be
infected with a disease called “New Cinema”
and the symptoms of that disease would be demand for
better quality movies at the very least. Endhiran
has not only provided the means to break barriers
within the country for a unified movie-watching experience
but also paved the way for international film industries
to take a look at our own products. There cannot be
more breaking news to the movie lovers than the announcement
of a sequel by Shankar and undoubtedly the excitement
levels will be as enormous as the biggest prime number
quoted in this movie.
shyam sundar
a_shyam41@yahoo.co.uk
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