Everything about the film was kept highly confidential. There were gag orders to everybody. When the film eventually made its way to the theatres, there was one thing that became very obvious.
There is something strange about 'Shivaji'. The plot is nothing that we haven't seen before in Shankar's films. But the surprise package is Rajinikanth as Shivaji! Before the film's release, there was an opinion poll to find out who the bigger star in the Indian cinema was- Amitabh Bachchan or Rajinikanth. 'Shivaji' is one massive unbeatable point in favor of Rajinikanth!
So, here's the story.
The film begins in a courtroom where Shivaji is brought in. He is sentenced to serve a term in the prison. His jail inmate asks him how he ended up here. With that the story begins.
Shivaji is a software analyst in the US who returns to India to set up Shivaji Foundation for providing world-class education at very nominal fee. He also sees an orthodox Telugu girl and falls in love with her. He also decides to marry her.
Meanwhile, not many, especially the corrupt politicians are happy with the new entrant. As bad luck would have it, Shivaji runs into a businessman Adhisheshu (played by Suman) and explains his plans of building colleges and hospitals. Now, Adhisheshu isn't happy with the plans because it would destroy his educational institutions.
He destroys all the money that Shivaji had brought from abroad, makes him a pauper and at the end, Shivaji lands in prison.
That's when he takes an oath that he'd bring out all the black money in the economy. How he does is the crux of the rest of the film.
There is lavishness in the frame. Everything about the film is larger than life. The grandiosity leaves you spellbound and slightly dazed. But when you think about it, there frankly isn't anything that you haven't already seen in Shankar's previous films- one man's battle against the corrupt system had been bled dry in all his previous films except maybe 'Boys'.
Rajinikanth looks colorful and is a treat to watch (but some of his get-ups are slightly weird). The locations are exotic. Shreya has gone overboard with her glamour in the song sequences. Sometimes it looks very artificial to see an otherwise orthodox girl become a super-glam girl in the song sequences alone! The switch is very abrupt and very, very cinematic.
If lack of novelty in the plot is one drawback, the other main defect in the film is the lack of a strong villain.
A hero is only as big as his villain is. Suman is a good actor and has executed his role well, but his villainy couldn't match Rajinikanth's heroism. Vivek's comedy works in some places and falters badly in others. Nayantara looked great in the brief song appearance. Shanakr doesn't believe in repeating a successful onscreen pair in his films. But he had brought Nayantara in the film simply because the actress and her onscreen chemistry with Rajinikanth are a delight to watch.
The stunning points about the film are its songs. Rehman has outdone himself. When the music was released, many wondered if it would suit Rajinikanth's age and image. That doubt was laid to rest when they watched the songs on the screen. The song picturization is stunning, to say the least. Credit goes to cinematographer-turned-director KV Anand who was specially brought in at Skanhar's and Rajinikanth's request.
Four leading choreographers had got together to compose the dance sequences- Brinda, Prabhudeva, Raju Sundaram and Lawrence. You just can't help but notice their distinct signature styles.
The first half crawls slowly and almost aimlessly. But, the second half makes up for this defect.
Plus:
Superstar Rajinikanth
Cinematography
Music
Art direction, editing
The budget...
Minus:
An oft-seen and very predictable flow of story
Lackluster first half
Cinesouth Says:
'Shivaji'- Worth your ticket money. We love Rajinikanth!
- 19.06.2007
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