Rajini’s age, a good connect factor

Director Ranjith talks about ‘Kabali’ and the experience of working with Rajinikanth

Fans of Rajinkanth went berserk went the teaser of his forthcoming film ‘Kabali’ went viral not only in Tamil but also in Telugu (dubbed version). “I did not expect such a response and I want to thank the Telugu audience. Hopefully they enjoy the film too,” states Pa Ranjith, the film’s director.

His approach towards the script and the success of his earlier films ‘Attakathi’ and ‘Madras’ have earned Ranjith the ticket to direct Rajinikanth-starrer ‘Kabali’. Recounting how he bagged the offer, Ranjith says, “Rajini sir called and appreciated me after my second film ‘Madras’. Soon, I narrated two scripts to Soundarya Rajnikanth and one of them is ‘Kabali’.

In fact, she asked me to do a film for her, but I could not do it due to prior commitments. After some time she again called and told me that her dad was listening to scripts and mentioned my name during a conversation. When I went to meet him, I was nervous because there were several top directors approaching Rajinikanth but he chose me.

He believed in my abilities and gave me the opportunity to direct him. So my only focus was how to do justice to that belief. Rajini sir always wants to create something new and that’s one of the reasons he works with youngsters.”

The director broke the 'superstar' stereotype with Rajinikanth’s look by showing him proudly flaunting his age. “I believed people can easily connect with his real look, and also brings him closer to his personality. So that’s one of the reasons why we went ahead with the look.

I always want my actors to lose their 'star'ness and live the character in the film, only then will the audience easily relate them when they see them on screen. I asked him whether he can sport a white beard for the role, and he immediately agreed. Moreover, he was also on the lookout for a role that shows off his real age,” he explains.

‘Kabali’ may not be a quintessential Rajini film, feels Ranjith. “Kabali is a goon’s name generally associated with goons back in those days. It’ll not have the typical 'punch' dialogues. It’s not just action film but also high on emotional quotient. Kabaleeshwaran is born in a family that migrates to Malaysia during the British rule.

Kabali grows up to fight for the cause of the ethnically Indian workers settled there. It's a mafia don's story in the backdrop of Malaysia,” Ranjith reveals. Even though Rajinikanth’s character is borrowed from his yesteryear Tamil film, the director insists ‘Kabali’ has it’s own style. “Rajini sir's character in the film is on the lines of guys called 'rowdies’.

I was also inspired by his intense portrayal of Kaali from his film ‘Mullum Malarum’, directed by Mahendran. Kabali’s character has such influences but Rajini sir brought his own style. Working with him is a dream come true and to direct him is memorable experience,” signs off the director, who’ll next team up with actor Suriya.