There's a scene in Petta where Rajinikanth tells the students at the hostel "If you don't like the food that you are eating, speak up! Don't keep quiet. It's either you say something or you get into the kitchen and cook by yourself."
There's a beautiful connect to the movie. There's no point for Rajini fans to keep complaining about not being able to see the vintage Rajinikanth of the past doing his signature style on the screen. There's only one way to fix that - which is to make a movie with him yourself. Thats exactly what Karthik Subbaraj delivers - a perfect Rajinikanth meal that is set to satisfy you for a long time.
Walking into a Karthik Subbaraj movie is a tricky business. For starters, you know he's always unto something. Here's one of the most exciting filmmakers in the last decade that has built a name for himself with a series of films that has incorporated plot twists in each and everyone of them.
The Michael character shade in Pizza, the Siddarth character switchover in Jiggarthanda and Bobby Simha's negative shade in Iraivi - all these plot twists at the end of the films always somehow fooled the audience. It's almost become a Karthik Subbaraj signature.
And then, he announces a movie with Rajinikanth, arguably one of the most formulaic actor in India - someone who understands his limitation and often plays it safe with his films. More significantly, he names it a Karthik Subbaraj Padam.
That got us thinking, "Well, there's no way Karthik will be able to pull a rabbit of out the hat with this one. After all, this is a Rajinikanth film, it needs to stick to the pattern of Rajiniism. There would be no room for surprises."
And there's where Karthik scores - his ability to infuse his "Thalaivar Veriyanism" with a stronghold in his craft as a filmmaker shines throughout Petta. Make no mistakes, Petta easily follows in the footsteps in the formulaic nature of Rajinikanth's films - but Karthik proves that with a clear intention to tell a story interestingly, he makes even the most cliched Rajini mannerism fresh and more importantly 'Marana Mass'.
Coming to the core story, Petta simply talks about Kaali, a hostel warden who gets a job at a college at a hillstation. He eventually gets along with the students and becomes their 'Thalaivar' and is seen as a protector against the operators of the college canteen who is abusing their power. From then on, it takes on a story about revenge, friendship and violence in a typical Karthik - Rajinikanth fashion.
If you're a Rajinikanth fan, here's the time where you would be forming your own screenplay of the story - and Karthik wants you to make up your own story. He keeps throwing the obvious plot lines - at the start of the movie, Kaali mentions that he is coming to the college to do a 'sambavam' - Karthik knows that you would automatically start to predict the story from thereon. He allows these predictions to happen and blows you off the water with the plot twists constantly.
He also keeps throwing incidents throughout the movie where you think Rajinikanth is going to go on a preaching spree - but just when you think Thalaivar is going to start advising, Karthik smartly turns the story away. Here's a fresh change from all the political preaching that Rajinikanth has come to known for in the last few films. There's no space for political speeches here (apart from the book that he reads in the beginning and the scene where he tells the students to 'cook something and eat if they dont' like what they eating'
It is also an absolute delight to notice all the homage that Karthik serves to Rajinikanth. From the gate that Kaali opens at the beginning, to the way Rajini bites his lips, to the 'Paambu' jokes, to the way Rajini feels shy and also the ultimate "Ulle po" - this is Rajinikanth at his nostalgic best comes to the fore. You even get Chinni Jeyanth (yesteryear comedian) in a small cameo. The Baasha connect with Sasikumar's character, the significance of the name Anwar (the friend's name in Baasha) and the inclusion of director Maheendran (who directed Mullum Malarum). This is the ultimate Rajinikanth compilation.
We also get a proper Rajinikanth introduction shot after almost a decade - "Naan vizven endru ninaithayo" will put any Rajinikanth into a screaming frenzy. This is Rajini talking to his fans saying "I am back!"
It's also refreshing to see Rajinikanth on screen without much CGI work (except for the obvious airbrushing that has been done on his face in some scenes). DOP Thirunavarasu's camera work and lighting is easily one of the best in his career and the set works are picture perfect. The slow mo shots of Rajinikanth in all his glory is beautifully captured - instead of focusing only on his action sequences, Thiru also captures Rajini's cute little expressions - note the scene where Simran asks him to close his eyes and Rajinikanth says "It's alright, this is good" - it is classic Rajinikanth!
The film, though largely shoulders on Rajini-ism does give it's moments to it's other casts. Almost one hour into the movie, you finally see Vijay Sethupathi and then realise that he's actually part of the film - how can a film get better than what it already was at that point? Vijay Sethupathi then comes up with his answer. He underplays beautifully and somewhat still makes his character likeable. His combination scenes with Rajinikanth are terrific and watch out for their first encounter, the first dialogue that comes out from VJS is whistle worthy.
The only dissapointment of the film comes in the limited space that has been given to the likes of Simran, Trisha and especially Nawazuddin. For all the hype that was projected for his inclusion in the movie, he fails to hold his ground in the film that already has terrific performers in Rajini and VJS.
Coming to the music, Anirudh delivers easily one of the best introduction song in a Rajini film in a long time with 'Marana Mass' and the way the song connects back to the end is typical Karthik Subbaraj. 'Ilamai Thirumbothe' is a classic throwback to Rajini of the 90s.
In summary, Petta is a callback to the dialogue Kaali says to the cook in the movie. "When you cook, you need to do it with love - thats when the food tastes good."
Karthik, you certainly gave us a delicious meal. Take a bow son!
"Indha aattam podhuma kozhandhai", Rajinikanth says at the end.
"Podhum Thalaivaaa!"
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