Kuselan
The mistake lies in trying to turn a non-Rajni film into a Rajni epic. But there are no trademark dialogues delivered with panache and punch
Kuselan is about two childhood friends—one becomes a superstar, Ashok Kumar (Rajnikanth), while the other remains barber Bala (Pasupathy) in a small village. Ashok is the toast of tinselworld while Bala struggles with three kids and wife Sreedevi (Meena, who looks too young to be the mother of a tenth class girl). Ashok comes to Bala’s village to shoot, but Bala fails to get anywhere near Ashok or get the star to come to his kids’ school. In fact, his own kids begin doubting his claims that the superstar is a buddy. But he is vindicated when Ashok himself talks about his beautiful friendship with Bala and the two friends ride off into the sunset after an emotional 20-minute climax.
There are the usual ingredients of comedy in the shape of Vadivelu and even Prabhu, who looked like a pehelwan in a cop’s gear. Nayanthara is pure eye-candy and, of course, her rain dance is a not-to-miss.
That said, there are several issues with the film. First, Vasu takes the Malayalam superhit Katha Parayumbol, in which Mammooty had a cameo as the superstar, and puts Rajnikanth as the larger-than-life actor. The mistake lies in trying to turn a non-Rajni film into a Rajni epic.
Second, you don’t feel sorry for the indigent Bala. In fact, in the opening shot when he goes to get a government loan to buy a new chair for his shop, inadvertently a comic situation is created. And that sets the pace. Bala cannot hold his own against Rajnikanth. Perhaps Vasu should have cast a bigger star.
Third, when Vasu began fleshing out Rajni’s role (60 minutes as opposed to Mammooty’s 15), he was unsure about what to do with all that time. So he threw in a mish-mash of clips like Chandramukhi II. Vasu’s reasoning for lengthening Rajni’s role was that Anbulla Rajnikanth failed because Rajni had a cameo. But why mess with the original script?
High Fives
Bollywood
1. Singh is Kinng
2. Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na
3. Ugly Aur Pagli
4. The Mummy (dubbed)
5. Kismat Konnection
Hollywood
1. The Dark Knight
2. Pineapple Express
3. The Mummy
4. Sisterhood of Traveling Pants II
5. Step Brothers
Music Video
1. Live From Texas (ZZ Top)
2. Where the Light Is (John Mayer)
3. Scenes You Know by Heart (Jimmy Buffett)
4. Farewell I Tour: Live from Melbourne (Eagles)
5. Live in Las Vegas: A New Day (Celine Dion)
Courtesy: Film Information
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