Movie Review: LINGAA (By Hapra)
Rating: 3/5
Cast: Rajnikantha, Anushka, Sonakshi Sinha and others
Cinematographer: Ratnavelu
Music: AR Rahman
Story: Pon Kumaran
Screenplay-Direction: KS Ravi Kumar
Producer: Rockline Venkatesh
Release date: 12th December, 2014
After a three year hiatus from silver screen, Rajnikanth is returning in his human form to silver screen with KS Ravikumar’s “Lingaa”. As the story is woven around a dam built, controversies erupted including plagiarism followed by a civil suit. Irrespective of the opposition, Rajni’s Lingaa has hit more than 3000+ screens and here goes the review.
The CONTENT
Linga (Rajni) is a thief who hops on snatching chains and earns a living, as much he hates his Grandfather for not giving any wealth. Cut to other side, Singanur village awaits for someone from Raja Lingeswar (Rajni) family to reopen a long closed temped in their village. TV anchor Lakshmi (Anushka) finally finds Lingaa and woes him to village by messing him up in a jewelry theft. At the same time Singanur MP (Jagapathi Babu) has other plans with the ‘dam’ in Singanur. After coming to village, Lingaa finds out the good deeds done by his grandfather in 1939 about building a dam, as village head (K Viswanath) explains him. And the movie is all about the obstacles involved in building dam with the then british villains and opening the temple against the will of present political villains.
The EFFORT :
On-Screen:
At 64, Rajnikanth is still as mesmerizing as he is years back. His trademark stylish moves, sharp looks, fast-paced dialogue delivery and gravity-defying stunts are top notch. It’s Rajni mania that takes all over, and if there is any minus, it’s definitely Rajni hasn’t had enough comedy or emotional scenes.
Among the heroines, Anushka looks plump and unappealing. After watching her with her famous yoga-teacher figure, it’s tough to digest her looks. Otherwise, she has done her part well. But debutant Sonakshi Sinha is the show stealer with her innocent looks, flawless acting as a pre-independent era girl, and cute smile. Definitely she is here to stay.
Jagapathi Babu kills with his looks but got nothing much to do as the villain. He is seen for short while and for climax. Santhanam tries hard to bring laughs in the first hour, but he isn’t successful. Other actors are those quite regular gang seen in all Rajnikanth’s movies. They do their part and go.
Off-Screen:
Director KS Ravikumar has done a good job with the way he visualizes a story that requires detailing and attention. Though he faltered a bit with screenplay while dealing with the present-era story, the flashback episode dating back to 1939 is a real treat. But he should have focused more on the story as the film suddenly loses pace and becomes predictable.
Cinematographer Ratnavelu did a spending job in showcasing the British time India with some awesome visuals. Though the art-work for the colonial era is awe-inspiring, it is his camera work that does the magic. Showcasing Rajni as young as possible, and Anushka posh, Sonakshi as innocent as possible, his camera work seamlessly got integrated into the graphics work too.
AR Rahman composed decent background score but his songs doesn’t enthrall as they did with Robo and Sivaji. Though they create interested while watching on screen, you can’t remember even one song while coming out of theatres. Probably Rahman can’t deliver a thrilling album in such a short notice as the film is completed in just 5 months.
We have to talk about Visual Effects too. From creating huge construction-work scenes to building the dam to a huge dam with all gates flooded, computer graphics have played a key role. Never, these graphics looked clichéd as they are quite realistic.
The PLUSES:
· Rajnikanth
· 1939 Raja Lingeswar episode
The MINUSES:
· First 40 minutes
· Weak and predictable climax
· Songs
BREAKDOWN:
‘Lingaa’ is a pure Rajnikanth film though the story and setup looks dazzling as they cut to pre-independent era showcasing the humane side of a rich Maharaja who gives everything for country and its citizens. However the lengthy and intentionally elongated climax spoiled the whole feel as we could notice even Rajni struggling to wrap the movie.
The film starts on a simple note with K Viswanath explaining the importance of bringing back someone from Raja Lingeswar’s family to reopen a temple located by the dam built by Raja. But when stories cuts to thief Lingaa, it evinces no interest as the comedy fails to brings laugh and stealing jewels from five star hotel looks silly. Still struck with 1990s brain, KS Ravikumar makes the hero sue haphazard techniques even in digital age. Movie gained momentum suddenly when flash back starts, though fights and scenes look over the board. The whole of second half pushes into that British rule illusion effortlessly, but films loses grip as it reaches climax. With everything ending on predictable note, even a Rajni film brings you headache.
Lingaa is a film that evokes mixed reactions. Fans may enjoy it for Rajnikanth’s mesmeric presence but regular movie lovers don’t get that kick. Also if you are expecting something huge and unexpected, then the film will not enthrall you. Go with least expectations and then you may enjoy for a while. Otherwise, you can enjoy it once for Rajnikanth.
The FINISHING Line: Lingaa is typical Rajni mark film
Review By: Hapra
Rating: 3/5
Cast: Rajnikantha, Anushka, Sonakshi Sinha and others
Cinematographer: Ratnavelu
Music: AR Rahman
Story: Pon Kumaran
Screenplay-Direction: KS Ravi Kumar
Producer: Rockline Venkatesh
Release date: 12th December, 2014
After a three year hiatus from silver screen, Rajnikanth is returning in his human form to silver screen with KS Ravikumar’s “Lingaa”. As the story is woven around a dam built, controversies erupted including plagiarism followed by a civil suit. Irrespective of the opposition, Rajni’s Lingaa has hit more than 3000+ screens and here goes the review.
The CONTENT
Linga (Rajni) is a thief who hops on snatching chains and earns a living, as much he hates his Grandfather for not giving any wealth. Cut to other side, Singanur village awaits for someone from Raja Lingeswar (Rajni) family to reopen a long closed temped in their village. TV anchor Lakshmi (Anushka) finally finds Lingaa and woes him to village by messing him up in a jewelry theft. At the same time Singanur MP (Jagapathi Babu) has other plans with the ‘dam’ in Singanur. After coming to village, Lingaa finds out the good deeds done by his grandfather in 1939 about building a dam, as village head (K Viswanath) explains him. And the movie is all about the obstacles involved in building dam with the then british villains and opening the temple against the will of present political villains.
The EFFORT :
On-Screen:
At 64, Rajnikanth is still as mesmerizing as he is years back. His trademark stylish moves, sharp looks, fast-paced dialogue delivery and gravity-defying stunts are top notch. It’s Rajni mania that takes all over, and if there is any minus, it’s definitely Rajni hasn’t had enough comedy or emotional scenes.
Among the heroines, Anushka looks plump and unappealing. After watching her with her famous yoga-teacher figure, it’s tough to digest her looks. Otherwise, she has done her part well. But debutant Sonakshi Sinha is the show stealer with her innocent looks, flawless acting as a pre-independent era girl, and cute smile. Definitely she is here to stay.
Jagapathi Babu kills with his looks but got nothing much to do as the villain. He is seen for short while and for climax. Santhanam tries hard to bring laughs in the first hour, but he isn’t successful. Other actors are those quite regular gang seen in all Rajnikanth’s movies. They do their part and go.
Off-Screen:
Director KS Ravikumar has done a good job with the way he visualizes a story that requires detailing and attention. Though he faltered a bit with screenplay while dealing with the present-era story, the flashback episode dating back to 1939 is a real treat. But he should have focused more on the story as the film suddenly loses pace and becomes predictable.
Cinematographer Ratnavelu did a spending job in showcasing the British time India with some awesome visuals. Though the art-work for the colonial era is awe-inspiring, it is his camera work that does the magic. Showcasing Rajni as young as possible, and Anushka posh, Sonakshi as innocent as possible, his camera work seamlessly got integrated into the graphics work too.
AR Rahman composed decent background score but his songs doesn’t enthrall as they did with Robo and Sivaji. Though they create interested while watching on screen, you can’t remember even one song while coming out of theatres. Probably Rahman can’t deliver a thrilling album in such a short notice as the film is completed in just 5 months.
We have to talk about Visual Effects too. From creating huge construction-work scenes to building the dam to a huge dam with all gates flooded, computer graphics have played a key role. Never, these graphics looked clichéd as they are quite realistic.
The PLUSES:
· Rajnikanth
· 1939 Raja Lingeswar episode
The MINUSES:
· First 40 minutes
· Weak and predictable climax
· Songs
BREAKDOWN:
‘Lingaa’ is a pure Rajnikanth film though the story and setup looks dazzling as they cut to pre-independent era showcasing the humane side of a rich Maharaja who gives everything for country and its citizens. However the lengthy and intentionally elongated climax spoiled the whole feel as we could notice even Rajni struggling to wrap the movie.
The film starts on a simple note with K Viswanath explaining the importance of bringing back someone from Raja Lingeswar’s family to reopen a temple located by the dam built by Raja. But when stories cuts to thief Lingaa, it evinces no interest as the comedy fails to brings laugh and stealing jewels from five star hotel looks silly. Still struck with 1990s brain, KS Ravikumar makes the hero sue haphazard techniques even in digital age. Movie gained momentum suddenly when flash back starts, though fights and scenes look over the board. The whole of second half pushes into that British rule illusion effortlessly, but films loses grip as it reaches climax. With everything ending on predictable note, even a Rajni film brings you headache.
Lingaa is a film that evokes mixed reactions. Fans may enjoy it for Rajnikanth’s mesmeric presence but regular movie lovers don’t get that kick. Also if you are expecting something huge and unexpected, then the film will not enthrall you. Go with least expectations and then you may enjoy for a while. Otherwise, you can enjoy it once for Rajnikanth.
The FINISHING Line: Lingaa is typical Rajni mark film
Review By: Hapra