kuselan movie review

How many times had you walked out of theatre emotionally choked after watching a Rajnikanth film? How many times had you times had you seen Rajnikanth not uttering a punch dialogue in his films? How many times had you not seen Rajnikanth not flexing his muscles and bashing the baddies in his movie?

Watch for Kuselan, where one can find a completely different Rajnikanth – the real Rajnikanth, the human being. The movie is perhaps an answer to his critics who had been criticizing the actor for doing routine 'commercial masalas'. Thanks to P Vasu, Rajnikanth reinvents himself the actor in himself in the movie not playing to commercial compulsions.

Whatmore the movie throws light on the real Rajnikanth and the star himself answers the question that is plaguing the minds of his millions of his fans. Want to know the answers for why Rajni has not entered politics? Why the 'Superstar' often goes to Himalayas? Why the actor still plays prefers the run-of-the-mill stuffs? Kuselan has got all the answers. With Rajnikanth by his side, P Vasu has come out with a message that 'Matha Pitha Guru Nanban Deivam'.

He plays the 'Super Star' himself and doesn't impose himself on the screen. Watching Rajnikanth plays the role with consummate ease is like watching Sachin Tendulkar on song at the middle of the crease. It's like listening to Beethoven's symphony sitting under moonlight. Though the story doesn't revolve around Rajnikanth, yet he manages to leave his screen presence. Especially towards the climax, the emotional Rajnikanth identifying his friend and recalling their old days does evoke tears in our eyes.

It is a tough task for an actor like Pasupathy to carry all burdens in his shoulders acting alongside a scene stealer like Rajnikanth. As a poor barber, fighting for survival, he evokes all the sympathy. Seemingly an extension of his role in Veyyil, Pasupathy passes out with flying colours. Meena as his caring wife is a more realistic portrayal. She understands the emotional struggles of her husband and gives him the solace and comfort. She manages to get under the skin and play her part well.

Nayanthara plays herself in the movie and executes the job entrusted to her indeed well. She plays a heroine, who shoots for a movie alongside Rajnikanth. She fulfills the glamour quotient and serves the purpose indeed well. Vadivelu's comedy compliments the script well. His trick to get an audition with Rajnikanth, who is shooting in the village brings the roof down in laughter. The movie boasts of a huge star cast including Livingston, M S Baskar, Sona, Geetha, Fathima Babu, Brahmanandham, Chinni Jayanth. All have a significant part to play in the film.

Prabhu plays a cameo while a host of stars including Sneha, Soundarya Rajnikanth, Surya among others appears for Cinema Cinema song.

Kuselan is about two childhood friends, with the one becoming the numero uno in film industry, while the other lands up as a barber in a hamlet.

Balakrishnan alias Bala (Pasupathy) is a poor barber in a village. He leads a happy life in with his wife Sreedevi (Meena) and his children until a film crew lands in their village to shoot. Coming to know that Super Star Ashok Kumar (Rajnikanth|), who has come for shooting in the village, is Bala's childhood friend, villagers flock to Bala's house with favours. A man wit self dignity, Bala fears to meet Ashok Kumar thinking that he may not identify him. But, when the two meet after a long gap, the emotional drama between the pals sets up an emotional 20-minute climax.


Complimenting Vasu's hard work are Arvindh Krishna's excellent cinematography and the brilliant musical score by G V Prakash Kumar. Especially the catchy numbers Omzarerare and Cine Cinema have been captured in an attractive manner by Aravindh Krishna. The background score towards the climax sets up the momentum.

Hats off to director P Vasu. The film-maker, who knows the knack of remaking a Malayalam hit in Tamil, has rendered a movie which has right emotions. He has intelligently packaged the movie with commercial elements which a Rajnikanth fan would love without spoiling the crux.

Produced by Pushpa Kandaswamy and Vijayakumar, Kuselan is a movie that would go down well with the Rajnikanth fans for they see the real actor in reel.