Baba
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Rajini is fascinated by the
Himalayas. He also knows a Babaji who has been alive for
2000 years! He has mixed all this up in a perfect movie-masala
and has stuffed it down our throats. All we can do is grin
and bear for our beloved Rajini.
Even at his birth, Rajini is declared to be someone almost
divine and extraordinary.
He grows up as a Non-believer. At a stage, a holy-man in
the guise of a beggar (Sayaji Shindae) takes him to the
Himalayas. At the mountains, the saints teach him 7
mantras. These mantras have the power to make any wish
come true. Initially, Rajini is skeptic about the power of
the mantras and playfully wastes some of them away. He
then begins to give up his lack of faith in God and begins
to transform into a Believer. His lifestyle begins to
change. He uses his final mantra to create an honest,
non-corrupt Chief Minister of the state.When the other
corrupt politicians kill the honest CM, Rajini reluctantly
gives up his path of Saatvik lifestyle by choosing Karma
yoga. He does this by entering active politics himself.
The film ends with an ' it continues' note.
Rajinikanth
Rajini carries the film squarely on his shoulders. What
captivates the audience the most is his undiminishing
youthfulness and energy.
Rajni had a light beard in this film to give a carefree
image to the Characterization. Rajni's name is associated
with the style and he performed each and every moment of
Baba character with great élan. Rajni's introduction is
shown with the song 'Tippu Tippu, in a railway station
set. He also did different dances for the songs 'Baba
Kichu Kichu and 'Maya Maya in the dance direction of
Prabhudeva and Lawrance respectively. His mannerism in the
film is saying 'Gatham Gatham' (past is past) by showing
his trademark Baba symbol (see the image of Baba). Another
interesting mannerism is giving shake-hand to his pal for
every dialogue he or his friends crack.
Rajini's dance is the best thing that had happened to the
song sequences. His dance, his rapid dialogue deliveries
and his fast paced gait are received by applauses of joy
and jubilation by the audience.
Since he clashes directly with the 'CM' and 'Deputy CM' in
the film, the dialogues are laced liberally with political
overtones. These too are greeted with whistles and
applauses. Towards the end of the film, Koundamani plainly
tells him, "Why don't you become the CM yourself, Baba?"
Even before the dialogue ends, the fans go crazy with
their shouts of joy and affirmation.
Other Artists
Manisha's character was put together in a big rush or
that's what it looks like. One doesn't get the feeling
that she is the heroine of the film. She doesn't have the
appeal or glam of the heroine. Pretty dry she looks.
Aashish Vidhyarthi's character adds strength to Rajini's
role.
Koundamani is very hilarious in the first half of the
film. Sujatha's character portrays motherhood sentiments
to perfection.
Others
The song 'rajjiyamaa' with AR Rehman's score gels
beautifully with the story and spins magic. When seen
along with the film, Rehman's music score works. The music
has supported the film very well indeed! Cinematographer
Chota K Naidu and editor Vijayan deserve special mention.
They have put in tremendous effort in further
strengthening the scenes that portray Rajini's might and
strength.
It's an interesting twist when the Babaji gives the boons
to a Non-Believer like Rajini. The film picks up speed
when Rajini has only one more manthra to use. The story
has some good instances of screenplay, like when everybody
starts compelling Rajini to take up the CM position
himself with the Opposition too trying to capture the
coveted position, and when Rajini attempts to use his last
boon to create an honest politician.
Rajini has done the story and screenplay of this film. So,
director Suresh Krishna couldn't do anything much there.
But, he has done his best in bringing out the opulence in
the framing of scenes and song sequences.
Rajini is very much into Spirituality. Rajini's fans are
very much interested in seeing him enter into
Politics.'Baba' is a coming together of both these
desires.
Rajnikanth's intention of mixing the Indian philosophy
with mass elements is commendable. At the end of the film
Rajni asks the Baba to tell him what everybody should do
to have a harmony in society. Baba replies Rajni 3
principles 1. You should keep your body and heart very
clean 2. one must keep his/her family very happy 3. One
must help the society. Even if you don't help society, you
should never harm it.
The film moves almost along the lines of a 'God and
goddess' film. The film doesn't offer a wide option in
entertainment elements. So, the only entertainment factor
of the film is Rajini and his styles
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