Kabali: 10 reasons why you should watch the Rajinikanth starrer

Mumbai: With bookings opening a week in advance and offices granting a day's leave to watch Kabali, this Rajinikanth starrer has created quite a storm. We give you 10 reasons not to miss this gangster drama that has been directed by Pa Ranjith.

Read: After Sultan, Rajinikanth's Kabali leaked online?

1. The film set in the 80's has Rajinikanth essaying the role of a retired gangster. Off with those lungis, it is dapper suits for the gangster’s role. We bet Rajnikanth’s fans can’t wait to clap and cheer at his makeover.

2. Director Pa Ranjith was summoned by Rajinikanth as the mega-star wished to work with a young unconventional director. The filmmaker narrated two ideas- one based on a sci-fi horror subject and the other revolving around a Tamil gangster in Malaysia. As Rajinikanth wanted to do a film that allowed him to play a dark character who spreads sunshine, he opted for the latter, and the rest, as they say is history.

Read: Rajinikanth-Aishwaryaa seek blessings at Satchidananda Ashram ahead of Kabali release

3. This is Rajinikanth’s own Nayakan. The Mani Ratnam classic featured Rajinikanth’s friend and rival Kamal Haasan as a Tamil migrant in Mumbai who becomes a mafia don. Kabali’s journey takes him from Tamil Nadu to the plantations of Malaysia. Apparently, Rajinikanth was so impressed by Kamal Haasan in Nayakan that he had asked Mani Ratnam to create a similar gangster epic for after the films' release. That dream project never happened for Rajinikanth and hence 'Kabali' is his delayed reaction to the impact of 'Nayakan'.

4. To guide him into a new phase of his career, Rajinikanth chose the young upcoming director Pa Ranjith who had earlier helmed the raw and gritty 'Madras', a film he loved. The filmmaker wanted to bring out the actor in Rajinikanth like no other actor in recent times. 

Read: Bangalore and Chennai based companies declare Kabali’s release date a holiday

5. All the trademark Rajinikanth camera tricks have been done away with. While playing a larger-than-life Tamil gangster in Malaysia, Rajnith repeatedly asked the actor to tone it down and do away with unnecessary 'dialogue-baazi'.

6. To ensure he occupies real-time space without any obstacles, Ranjith roped in Radhika Apte to join the gang as Kabali’s wife. Radhika with her roots in realistic acting kept Rajinikanth’s performance toned down.

7. At 30, Radhika is a more mature co-star than his last two co-star Deepika Padukone in 'Kochdaiiyan' and Sonakshi Sinha in 'Lingaa'. And she plays no walkover in 'Kabali'.

8. The joke on the sets was, the three R’s- Rajinikanth, Radhika and Ranjith- were ganging up to whip up a storm. The letter ‘R’ has always played a key role in Rajinikanth’s life. His wife Latha’s maiden name was ‘Rangachari’ and his last big hit was 'Robot'.

9. Rajinikanth wanted extra songs and comic elements to be added, however the director blatantly refused.

10. It’s time to see Rajinikanth in a never seen before avatar.