Kabali (2016)

The very first thing that hit me with full force was the realisation that Santosh Narayanan's background score is simply out of this world. I can think of no better way to hook someone onto this film.

The second thing that hit me was how cleverly Pa. Ranjith uses Rajinikanth's superstardom and bends it to serve his own purposes, without diminishing either his film or the superstar himself. It's a delicate balance, but Ranjith pulls it off like nobody's business. 

I'm not a huge enjoyer of gangster films, but this one is just so well done that I found myself completely invested from the first scene itself. And the way Ranjith brings in his caste politics— once again displaying how skilled he is at delicate acts because it's neither too pushy nor too subtle, just the right balance the issue needs— is amazing. It really forces one to think, about the people who build nations, the notion of a 'diaspora' and its associations, about clothes, about families, about everything. It is a film that rewards rewatches, but then, which Ranjith movie doesn't?

However, it's the way the film makes you look at 'gang' culture and turns it inside-out so that you are actually forced to look... man, oh man. Every upper caste is an aspiring nepo kid, aren't they?

Also, Kabali and Valli's relationship.... TEARS ONLY. So beautifully conveyed on screen, I think I like the film at least 30% more because of it. You just can't have a good gangster film without an excellent romance track, hence proved.

PS- Kalaiyarasan MAASSSS!! Man can do anything and everything, someone give him his due already!!