Super Star in & as LINGAA ♠Anushka ♠ARR ♠KS Ravikumar

[Avadi to America]

Lingaa by KS Ravikumar claims to star Rajinikanth in a double role. That of Lingaa a super clever thief and his grandfather, Raja Lingeswaran. But the overpowering presence is that of Rajinikanth himself in the third role. There are so many references to Rajini the person that the real and reel are never quite separated.

The politically loaded dialogues are in abundance. They reflect his position vis-a-vis politics as well. Santhanam who plays the younger Lingaa's sidekick says "even if you say no, the people won't leave you." Anushka Shetty who plays Rajini's love interest suggests he could go all the way to Parliament. The message is clear. Rajini has not made up his mind on whether or not to enter politics but the people have made up their mind about him. And that the day he says yes, PM or CM post is his for the asking.



That apart, the story of Lingaa is simple. So simple that whoever filed a case claiming theft of his script must be deluding himself on originality. The story is of Raja Lingeswaran who sacrifices everything he has to build a dam for the sake of his subjects. He runs into a dispute with the British in this tale set in 1939. Sonakshi Sinha plays his love interest.

A temple that the king builds is shut down and can't be opened by anyone but his DNA. Hence Anushka who plays an intrepid reporter is assigned the job of getting the younger Lingaa into the plot.

With Rajini in almost every scene, it is paisa vasool for his fans. But at 175 minutes, the film drags in the middle portion and could have done with some deft editing. The film suffers from the lack of a strong and powerful antagonist, a la Ramakrishna in Padayappa or Suman in Sivaji. Telugu actor Jagapathi Babu is an apology of a villain.

Music by A R Rahman is a letdown. Except for the 'indianne' score sung by AR himself, rest of the music is disappointing. For the Rajini-Rahman team that gave hit music in Sivaji, Enthiran, this film doesn't match up.

But where the film scores in is having Rajini as the hero. It relies on the time-tested template of making the film ride on his shoulders. The make up has made him look atleast 15 years younger and cinematography and action sequences are a treat.

There is however no chemistry between Rajini and his two heroines. Perhaps that's why almost as a disclaimer he had said at the Telugu audio function that he found it tough to dance with heroines his daughters' age.

Watch it if you are a Rajini fan. Even as a masala commercial, Lingaa entertains. I will give 3.5 out of 5.



Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/l.../1/406592.html

[cm123]

Kumarsr, ungalukkum Rajinikum ethavathu kodukal vangal thagararu iruka?
Sollunga, nanga help panrom.

[uruzalari]

KSR interview with Madan going on in 'Madan's matinee' in Pudhu Yugham channel now. Very good with all information regarding how the film shaped. Looks like the initial film was 3: 30 hrs and he reduced it to 2:50!!!

[Dilbert]

KSR interview with Madan going on in 'Madan's matinee' in Pudhu Yugham channel now. Very good with all information regarding how the film shaped. Looks like the initial film was 3: 30 hrs and he reduced it to 2:50!!!

krishnagiri tearing

[cm123]

Suddenly, Suman in Sivaji became one of the best Villian. Itha Sumankitta sollitingalapa?

[Avadi to America]

krishnagiri tearing

Bro,

KSR could have split in to two parts and release it in a week gap..... panatha allittu irrukalam

[Avadi to America]

Heard it crossed 1.3 M in US until saturday.....expecting another 400-500K on sunday may end up second highest opener.....

may reach 100 crore (gross) mark by end of weekend....

[Saai]

Padam OK...

Rajni was not supported by good set pieces in screenplay. Quite ordinary writing. In Flashback, we see rajni so sincere in his portrayal and trying to justify that role. Writing could have stepped up instead of just using a template british villian and "muthu" theme.

Rajni was not supported by good background score in most parts. All Songs are screwed up except for one. Probably time for Rajni to look for another MD or give ARR time to come up with good songs.

Rajni should avoid using 4 people around him in movies as friends ...irritating.

Interestingly, anushka and sonakshi were not out of sorts and have given quite a decent support to the movie.

[ajaybaskar]

Padam OK...

Rajni was not supported by good set pieces in screenplay. Quite ordinary writing. In Flashback, we see rajni so sincere in his portrayal and trying to justify that role. Writing could have stepped up instead of just using a template british villian and "muthu" theme.

Rajni was not supported by good background score in most parts. All Songs are screwed up except for one. Probably time for Rajni to look for another MD or give ARR time to come up with good songs.

Rajni should avoid using 4 people around him in movies as friends ...irritating.

Interestingly, anushka and sonakshi were not out of sorts and have given quite a decent support to the movie.

Cant agree more.

[ajaybaskar]

Suddenly, Suman in Sivaji became one of the best Villian. Itha Sumankitta sollitingalapa?

Though Suman was not as menacing as Raghuvaran or Ramya Krishnan, he did a decent job. But best is not the word like u said.