Kuselan
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008
Director – P. Vasu
Producers - K. Balachandar, Ashwini Dutt, G.P. Vijayakumar
Writers - Sreenivasan
Cast - Rajinikanth, Nayanthara, Meena, Pasupathy, Livingston, Vadivelu
Music – G.V. Prakashkumar
Cinematography - Arvind Krishna
Editor – Ashmith Kunder
Despite being a poorer remake of the Malayalam original, this is film that every Rajini fan should watch. It is pure irony that the film lacks any and all masala aspects seen fromhis past hits, but brings Shivaji Rao the common man to silver screen in a minor yet a stellar role. This is a far cry from the larger than life hero image and dialogues that were integral in his top grossing ‘masala’ movies. To his credit, Rajini has played one of his best supporting roles and acted admirably in this movie. This brought back memories of his early days where he acted as a protagonist alongside Kamal, before fame and inimtable style took over transforming him to a level not seen before in Tamil cinema.
The story revolves around the friendship and ends on a beautiful and moving note. If Rajini’s role is refreshingly good, the same cannot not be said of the rest. Pasupathi, Nayanthara and Meena have all ‘partcipated’ well partially due to their own limitations but more so by the way the roles were poorly slotted to them. Pasupathi is a far better actor than he is made to look, and it would be quite unfortunate if he does not get a hero role again.
Script hasn’t been great and what carries the film though is the ‘human’ bondage portrayed vetween two childhood friends, and how they take different paths and meet up on a climax that is worthy of going to the theatre to see.
My rating ** (2 out of 5)
Watch the Movie Trailer here
