"Annamalai"

 

I will start out this review by admitting that Rajni is not one of my favorite heroes.  As a pure actor he is average, with a decent range.  My favorites Kamal Hassan, Vikram and R. Partheban are much better if you look at their emoting powers.  But it is as a star, that Rajni has shone brightly and is peerless--the title "Super Star" is totally appropriate for him.  He's probably the only person in Kollywood who can carry a movie just with his star status.  "Charisma" is the word to describe him--he has an enviable combination of an everyman and a superhuman.  The average Tamil cinema fan can identify with Rajnikanth and at the same time be entertained and awe-struck by his superman roles and that is the secret of his success.  His ever-popular styles--the stuff of legends that propelled his entry into the elite league-- and star power are fully exploited in "Annamalai," one of his most entertaining features.

 

            The title character is played by Rajnikanth whose friendship and subsequent fallout with a millionaire Ashok (SaratBabu, playing the hero’s best friend for the umpteenth time, yet doing justice to the role) is the crux of the film.  Annamalai and Ashok are friends from childhood, with Annamalai’s mother (Manorama) and sister (Vaishnavi) lovingly accepting the rich kid as a family member.  Ashok’s father (Radharavi) and their cunning stooge Sargunam (“Nizhalgall” Ravi) conspire against Annamalai, using forgery and other means to suck all of Annamalai’s hard-earned money as well as break the friendship.  Annamalai, mistaking Ashok to be the culprit, falls for the trap and challenges Ashok’s family that he would surpass them in terms of wealth but more importantly that he would “win” in the game of life under the eyes of the Almighty, using fair means.

 

"Annamalai" is remarkably well paced, totally engrossing from start to finish.  Comedy, sentiments, romance, action and thrills are all served in just the right proportion without stooping to anything crude or cheap, thus making the movie rise above the 'masala' genre.  There is nothing incredibly novel about the characterizations--the affectionate mother (Manorama), the docile sister (Vaishnavi), the loyal friend (Janakaraj) , the good-hearted friend-turned-rival (SaratBabu), the friend's conniving dad (Radharavi), the charming heroine (Kushboo) and of course the simple yet strong character of the hero.  These are all stock characters, variations of which could easily be spotted in some 80's movie or the other, but good performances from everyone in the cast, nice little directorial touches and intelligent deviations from clichés all contribute to the feeling of watching a 'fresh' movie.

 

Comedy is one of the movie's biggest plus points.  Janakaraj is his usual funny self, with that inimitable throaty laughter and dialogue delivery.  He is great in the first half, especially in the "Naasamaa Nee Poniya" scene.  In watching some of his movies (like "Aan Paavam") that I review for my favorites section, I realize how good he is at giving brilliantly timed reaction shots--watch him react to Rajni's description of the "kadavule...kadavule" incident and you'll see what I mean.  Rajni and Kushboo have good fun in the first half, with Rajni's shyness and Kushboo's radiance adding to the effectiveness of the romance/comedy portions.  Kushboo mistaking Rajni to be a "Prince," a thief and a millionaire are all innocent, charming and funny.  But the funniest scene in the movie is undoubtedly the "Kadavule...Kadavule" scene.  Rajni's "Lord Shiva"-like pose with the snake, his totally insane facial contortions and his dumbfounded reaction after saying, "Paambu Poyidichu" raise laughs at a relentless pace.

 

The hero challenging a rival and succeeding in his mission (usually revenge for the loss of a loved one; or rising up the social ladder) was very common in the 80's when action-oriented 'thrilling' movies were the in thing.  Of course, these movies (including "Annamalai," released in 1992) demanded suspension of disbelief.  But what really mattered was the 'excitement' in the presentation of such scenes.  And "Annamalai" is an unqualified success on that front.  The scene where Rajni barges into Saratbabu's palatial mansion (Karan, playing a small role in this film, recollected in an interview that he was on the sets for the scene and that it was quite an exhilarating experience) and throws the challenge is an astonishing sequence with one memorable line after another and a great show of flamboyance by Rajni.  The scene is punctuated by that inimitable (well, its easy to imitate that gesture but I bet any other actor would lose out on the panache factor) gesture by him that left viewers stunned and elicited spontaneous applause.  The auction scene is well picturised too but is a lift from "Kadal Meengall," an old Kamal Hassan movie.  But the scene after the auction where Rajni lists all the "Kanakku"s of life is an invigorating sequence with splendid dialogues.

 

The second half also has some touching, well-enacted scenes that never step into excessive melodrama.  A few of Rajni's one-liners with Manorama and Kushboo are little gems that are worth quoting:

Manorama:  Nee Innum Ashok-a Marakkala Illa?

Rajni: Aaamam. Avanayum Marakkala Avan Namakku Senja Throgathayum Marakkala...Oru Dhrohi-ya kooda Mannichu Nanbanaa Yaethukkalaam aana Oru Nanbane Drohi aayttaa, avanakku Mannippae kedayaadhu.

 

Khushboo (after Rajni decides to return the house that he won, to Saratbabu): Ennala Ungala Purinjikkave Mudiyala.

Rajni:  Ennaalaye Purinjikka Mudiyala.

 

Rajni's argument with his daughter is underplayed with so much subtlety and finesse that Rajni gets the message across, with just a few lines of meaningful dialogue.  As I said before, it is these deviations and well-played scenes that make the movie a classy one, rising above the usual 'Hero Rising like a Phoenix' movies.

 

Deva, in one of his early hit soundtracks, turns in a variety of nice songs.  "Vandhaendaa Paalkaaran" is the typical Rajni introduction song.  "Kondaiyil Thaazhampoo" and "Annamalai..Annamalai" are fun songs that are catchy and aided by fun picturizations (the first song shows clips from Rajni and Kushboo movies and is a delight--we even get a glimpse of the immortal 'Alex Pandiyan').  "Oru Penn Pura" is a mellifluous, soothing song about Rajni's contrasting lifestyles (of the past and present).  But my favorite song in the movie is "Vetri Nichchayam," rendered superbly by SPB.  It is an inspirational number that has some golden nuggets of wisdom from Vairamuthu's pen ("Maedu Pallam Illaamal Vaazhvil Enna Sandhosham?").