Sivaji - The Boss

Synopsis: Software professional Sivaji Arumugam (Rajinikanth) relocates to India from the US with the aim of setting up an university to provide free education to the people and hospitals for free treatment. These plans come as a threat to education baron Adiseshan (Suman), who mints money by charging heavy capitation fee for admission to his colleges. When all plans of Sivaji come to a naught because of Adseshani’s machinations, he decides to pay him back in his own coin.

Movie Review: Sivaji: The Boss was a huge hit when it was originally released in 2007. The first collaboration of Shankar and Rajinikanth, it opened big throughout the world and was the first Tamil film to break into the UK’s box office Top 10 chart. Five years (and the mega success of Enthiran notwithstanding), Sivaji is still a very engaging watch in its 3D avatar because the issues it spoke about are still relevant and also because it very cleverly merges Shankar’s style of filmmaking with Rajinikanth’s charisma and strengths.

Though Shankar’s agenda of social reform is the backbone of the story, he incorporates the craze for Rajini’s punch dialogues, comedy and action sequences to make it appeal to a larger audience. Rajinikanth is in fine form playing Sivaji (the movie was shot years before he faced a health scare) and it is very obvious on screen that he was having a fun time shooting the movie. One can never tire of watching Rajini imitate Sivaji Ganesan, MGR and Kamal Haasan while dancing to iconic songs that featured them. Shriya, playing the role of his wife Tamilselvi, looks stunning in the songs.

Watching the newer version makes one wonder why the movie was not originally shot in the 3D format. With K V Anand’s breathtaking camera work and Thota Tharani’s grandiose sets, it was a natural candidate for being made in the format. The amazing visuals in the Vaaji vaaji..., Sahana... and Athiradee... songs are ample proof of this, as also the rocking action sequences. Perhaps this is why the producers decided to re-release the movie in 3D.

What also works in favour of the movie is its shortened length (the original was 30 minutes longer). Many scenes which were earlier thought to be drags have been edited out, with the result that the movie is much more crispier. Fans need not worry though, all their favourite scenes, songs and action sequences are intact — be it the introduction Balleilakka... or Style... songs or the famous coin sequences or the fight following the “Singam singleaa thaan varuum” (the lion always moves alone) dialogue.

Praise is also due to the team at Prasad EFX, which carried out the conversion of the movie into the 3D format. Their superb work will, hopefully, inspire more producers to convert earlier classics and re-release them. Baasha, anyone?

Tip-off: Mind it, this is the only Thalaivar movie to be released this year! Don’t miss it!