Pongal 2019 - Rajinified

Petta

Petta, as Kathick Subbaraj said in many interviews, this is a Rajni movie, from a Rajni fan and by a team of Rajni fans for the Rajni fans. I went in enthusiastically and yes really got what I've was expecting. I actually booked 10 tickets which includes a kid and everyone was completely satisfied.

Rajni was back to what he loves doing and he does it well. KS brings back lots of nostalgia and we can get the glimpse of vintage Rajni we were always hoping to see.

Petta the story was another usual revenge saga which we all expected after watching the trailer and with some minute twists towards the end in KS's style. But, I don't get what made Petta so powerful, he knows only a collector. And, where was he hiding/waiting for twenty years. How's he getting recommendation from PMO office. Are we talking about the real life Rajnikanth there?

Among the ladies Simran had a role similar to Aditi in CCV, she disappeared mid-way. But, as a Simran fan I'm glad she did one movie with Rajni as well and she looked much better than Seema Raja. Trisha role was as good as Thamanna in Bahubali 2 in a blink and miss role. Among, the big star cast I don't think anyone make any impression other than Thalaivar in Petta which includes VJS, Nawaz, Sasikumar, etc.

Anirudh, scored really well here for all the mass moments and he was so impressive more than the songs. And, DoP Thiru sethukified most of the frames. And, good to see Peter Hein back for the stunts.

Now, I really wish KS to do more movie with Rajni and maybe with more substance than just the style like his Jigarthanda where you couldn't predict what comes next and ofcourse in the same mood as Petta.

That one "உள்ளே போ" was absolute gold and I'm totally Rajnified.

Viswasam:

On the other hand, Viswasam, which didn't even excite right from the announcement. Since, it was Ajith joining again with director Siva for the fourth time after an unbearable Vivegam. And, I'm not a big fan of Vedhalam or Veeram either. The first half was so bad that made it look the second half better. And, yaaru yaarukku Viswasama irukanga?

Just like that Wig in Bhairava here too Ajith's look made me hate this movie right from the start. What the hell is actually happened to him. How can you make him look so bad. For me he looked much better in that atrocious Thirupathi comparing to this. He looks like a guy who stays up all night without any sleep and comes to the shoot the next day. It's so difficult to see him in close-up shots. Now, imagine Yennai Arindhal's opening scene with Anushka. And, if she utters those dialogues to someone looking like this.

Nayantara was terrific with her looks and performance as well. She's really getting better and gets a role with some importance which was so rare in usual mass masala movies.

Robo Shankar's comedy was okay comparing to Thambi Ramaiah, Vivek, Kovai Sarala. Why would no one tell Kovai Sarala about her OTT acting she does in every movie. And, that girl who plays Ajith's daughter was good as well. And, their version 2.0 of "unakenna venum sollu" which is "kannaney kanne" was a good song on screen as well.

Just to raise the melodrama Imman's BGM were straight out of mega serials. And, for the mass scenes, none of them sticks in my mind now.

You can guess the story from the very first scene. Siva, played safe with lot of sentiments and as usual without much logic and looks like it's working comparing to their previous films. Barring the Soori type Vivek-Kovai Sarala comedy, the movie has some good moments in the second half involving Ajith-Nayanthara-Their Daughter. It really saves the film and also the villain Jagapathy, thank god, he isn't after some property just like another corporate villain. And, Siva includes another daughter-father angle there as well. 

I feel Ajith should save himself from Siva and do some better projects. I don't think if Vijay does two movies consecutively with Bharathan after how well Bhairava was received he will get the same response from his fans as Ajith gets for his movies with Siva.

So, my vote is for Petta which I would definitely love to see again. Though, both the films have done to death stories. I liked the Rajinsm and the energy he bought to this otherwise regular revenge story. Of course he's looking old, but oh man he can entertain. On the other hand, Ajith who shouldn't be looking so old looks like someone who can easily play Indian thatha role in Indian 2 without any foreign makeup artists. It's high time he takes care of himself and gets back in shape and looks as charming as he used to be.

Petta - 3.5/5.0.
Viswasam - 2.0/5.0.