The
movie throws light on the real Rajinikanth, who has been
quite a puzzle with millions of his fans. And the star himself
answers questions that have been plaguing the minds of millions of
his fans. Want to know the answers to why Rajini has not entered
politics? Why the superstar often goes to the
Himalayas? Why the actor still
prefers to work in run-of-the-mill stuff?
Kuselan’ has got all
the answers. With Rajinikanth by his side, P Vasu has come out
with a message that is quite though provoking. The usual adage is
'Matha Pitha Guru Deivam'. With ‘Kuselan’ the adage gets an
addition - 'Matha Pitha Guru Nanban Deivam'.
He plays the 'Super Star' himself and does not at any time impose
himself on screen. Watching Rajinikanth play the role with
consummate ease is like watching Sachin Tendulkar on song at the
middle of the crease. It's like listening to Beethoven's symphony
sitting under the moonlight. Though the story doesn't revolve
around Rajinikanth, he manages to leave his indelible presence on
screen. Especially towards the climax, an emotional Rajinikanth
identifies his friend recalling their good old innocent days.
These are sequences that evoke tears to our eyes bring the human
side of each of us to the forefront.
It is a tough task for an actor like Pasupathy to carry the entire
burden on his shoulders acting alongside a scene stealer like
Rajinikanth. As a poor barber, fighting for survival, he evokes
all the sympathy. Seemingly an extension of his role in ‘Veyyil’,
Pasupathy passes out with flying colors. Hats off to him!
Meena as his caring wife is more of a realistic portrayal. She
understands the emotional struggles of her husband and gives him
the much needed solace and comfort. She sure manages to get under
the skin of her character and has done an extremely good job.
Nayanthara plays herself in the film and executes the job
entrusted to her quite well. She plays a heroine in films, who
shoots for a movie alongside Rajinikanth. She fulfills the glamour
quotient and serves the purpose indeed well. Vadivelu's comedy
compliments the script well. His trick to get an audition with
Rajinikanth, who is shooting in the village brings down the roof
with laughter.
The movie boasts of a huge star cast including Livingston, M S
Baskar, Sona, Geetha, Fathima Babu, Brahmanandham, Chinni Jayanth.
All have significant parts to play in the film.
Prabhu plays a cameo while a host of stars including Sneha,
Soundarya Rajinikanth, Suriya among others appear for the ‘Cinema
Cinema’ song.
Kuselan is about two childhood friends, with one becoming the
Numero Uno in the film industry, while the other lands up as a
barber in a hamlet.
Balakrishnan alias Bala (Pasupathy) is a poor barber in a village.
He leads a happy life with his wife Sreedevi (Meena) and his
children, until a film crew lands in their village to shoot for a
movie. Coming to know that Super Star Ashok Kumar (Rajinikanth)
has come for shooting in the village, and also with the
understanding that he is Bala's childhood friend, villagers flock
to Bala's house with favors. A man with tremendous self dignity,
Bala fears to meet Ashok Kumar thinking that he may not identify
him. But, when the two meet after a long gap, the emotional drama
between the pals, sets up an emotional 20-minute climax.
Complimenting Vasu's hard work are Arvindh Krishna's excellent
cinematography and the brilliant musical score by G V Prakash
Kumar. The catchy numbers ‘Om
zarerare’ and ‘Cinema Cinema’ have especially been captured in an
attractive manner by Aravindh Krishna. The background score
towards the climax sets up the momentum.
Hats off to director P Vasu! The film-maker, who knows the knack
of remaking a Malayalam hit in Tamil, has rendered a movie that
has the right packaging of emotions. He has intelligently packaged
the movie with commercial elements that a hardcore Rajinikanth fan
would love without spoiling the crux.
Produced by Pushpa Kandaswamy and Vijayakumar, ‘Kuselan’ is a
movie that would go down well with Rajinikanth fans and this is a
great opportunity to see the real side of this spectacular
actor though on celluloid.
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