Kabali - SoP

Kabali – SoP

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15 Interesting Facts :-

 

  1. Rajinikanth Mania: The release of “Kabali” was an event of national fervor in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, highlighting Rajinikanth’s unparalleled stardom.

  2. Real-Life Inspiration: The story was loosely inspired by the life of a real-life don (gangster) named Kabaleeswaran.

  3. Malaysian Roots: A significant portion of the movie was filmed in Malaysia, reflecting the plot’s focus on the Tamil Malaysian community.

  4. Rajinikanth’s Transformation: The superstar dramatically changed his usual flamboyant appearance to portray the aging, world-weary Kabali.

  5. Box Office Smash: “Kabali” created box office records upon release, both in India and overseas.

  6. AirAsia Flight: AirAsia had a specially branded “Kabali” plane with Rajinikanth’s likeness to boost film promotions.

  7. Social Message: Beneath the gangster movie tropes, “Kabali” incorporated messages about the struggles of the Tamil diaspora and fighting for workers’ rights.

  8. Radhika Apte’s Role: Radhika Apte’s impactful performance as Kabali’s wife, Kumudhavalli, was widely praised.

  9. Directorial Touch: Pa. Ranjith’s signature directorial style grounded the film with social commentary amidst the superstar vehicle.

  10. Unique Soundtrack: Composer Santhosh Narayanan’s music, most notably the “Neruppu Da” song, was a significant contributor to the film’s energy.

  11. Wardrobe Significance: Kabali’s sharp white suits symbolized his authority and an inner purity despite his past actions.

  12. International Attention: “Kabali” was released in unconventional markets like China, receiving positive responses.

  13. Fan Frenzy: Fans performed celebratory traditions like pouring milk over Rajinikanth posters, a common practice with his releases.

  14. Controversial Reception: Some critics found the film’s pacing slow and its gangster story overly familiar.

  15. Legacy Lives On: Despite mixed reviews, “Kabali” maintained its cult status due to Rajinikanth’s powerful presence and its unique portrayal of Tamil pride.

 

Behind the scenes stories.

Introduction

More than just a movie, “Kabali” was a cultural phenomenon in 2016. The story of an aging gangster fighting for redemption connected with Rajinikanth’s massive fan base and captured wider imagination. Let’s go behind the scenes to uncover tales of production decisions, potential difficulties, and anecdotes from the set of this blockbuster.

Balancing Superstar & Substance

Director Pa. Ranjith needed to deliver a Rajinikanth action film yet infuse it with his own perspective. Balancing crowd-pleasing elements with complex social themes like labor rights and immigrant identity was a creative tightwalk.

Production Challenges

  • International Logistics: Filming extensively in Malaysia introduced scheduling & coordination issues due to overseas work permits, location permits, and more.
  • Hype Management: With Rajinikanth mania so intense, security around the film’s plot development and filming locations had to be extra tight.

Accidents and Unexpected Delays

Luckily, no major accidents plagued the “Kabali” set. However, delays did occur when Rajinikanth had to briefly travel to the US for health reasons, impacting the already packed filming schedule.

Anecdotes from the Set

  • Rajinikanth’s Humility: The superstar known for his humility still insisted on doing multiple takes to help junior artists nail down scenes with him.
  • Realism Focus: For scenes in the Malaysian prison, Ranjith hired locals and actual former inmates to add a layer of authenticity.

 

Kabali - SoP

Released Date: July 22, 2016

Genre: Action, Crime Drama, Gangster film

Detailed Plot:

After 25 years in prison, Kabaleeswaran (aka Kabali), a revered Malaysian Tamil don, is released. Once a champion for the rights of oppressed Tamil laborers, he seeks a peaceful reunion with his wife Kumudhavalli and to uncover the truth behind their separation. However, rival gangs and a corrupt system force Kabali to reclaim his past as a fierce leader. While trying to protect the Tamil community, he must also confront enemies who tore his family apart years ago.

Cast

  • Rajinikanth as Kabaleeswaran (Kabali)
  • Radhika Apte as Kumudhavalli
  • Winston Chao as Tony Lee
  • Sai Dhanshika as Yogi
  • Dinesh Ravi as Jeeva
  • Kishore as Veerasekaran
  • Kalaiyarasan as Thamizh Kumaran
  • John Vijay as Ameer

Crew

  • Director: Pa. Ranjith
  • Writer: Pa. Ranjith
  • Producer: Kalaipuli S. Thanu
  • Cinematographer: G. Murali
  • Composer: Santhosh Narayanan

Public Ratings

  • IMDb: 6.2 /10
  • Rotten Tomatoes: 71% (no audience score available)

Reviews

Reviews were largely mixed. Many praised Rajinikanth’s grounded performance, strong supporting roles (particularly Radhika Apte), and the film’s social themes. Criticism aimed at the uneven pacing, and familiarity of the gangster plot line.

Trivia

  • The first Tamil film dubbed into Malay with its premiere coinciding with Malaysia’s Independence Day.
  • Film release caused several major companies in Chennai and Bangalore to declare an unofficial holiday for employees.
  • Controversy occurred as some found the film’s depiction of gangsters glorified a negative lifestyle.

Notable Quotes

  • “Tell them…Kabali is back!” – Kabaleeswaran
  • “This isn’t blood… it’s our sweat” – Kabaleeswaran
  • “I may have spent 25 years in prison but you’ve also been imprisoned by your anger” – Kumudhavalli

Budget and Box Office Collection

  • Production Budget: approximately 75-100 crore rupees ( about $11-15 million USD at the time)
  • Box Office Collection: Estimated over 650 crore rupees worldwide (about $96 million USD).

Awards, Nominations, and Achievements

  • Vikatan Awards: Best Actor (Rajinikanth), Best Villain (Dinesh Ravi), Best Dialogue Writer (Pa. Ranjith)
  • Edison Awards: Best Director, Best Movie, Best Dialogue, Best Supporting Actress (Dhanshika)
  • Nominated for several Filmfare Awards South

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