Return of Rajinikanth’s ‘Baba’: Is it time to take a trip down memory lane?

Rajinikanth with Manisha Koirala in Tamil film ‘Baba’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

I saw Rajinikanth 20 years ago Dad at Thyagaraja Theater in Chennai.

It was a drama-filled experience. The day before release I went to my father’s friend’s house, and he said he had an extra ticket Dad later that night.

I asked, and got it. Those were the days of late night special fan shows – and these were played at 1.30am or earlier before release. before First show of the first day. Because, well, it was Rajinikanth.

As a youngster who had joined college, I remember making my way to the theater with several Rajinikanth fans, all of whom were excited to catch a glimpse of their Thalaivar before the rest of the world. Whenever there was space between squatting on the floor and a seat, we – a bunch of much older people, mostly strangers, and I – would whistle and cheer, shaking a leg to Rajinikanth’s ‘Baba, cinema cinema’ Were.

Three hours later, we went back, discussing the film, and feeling mostly dejected.

today i saw rajinikanth Dad In the same Thyagaraja Theatre, now renamed as S2 Thyagaraja. once again,

It was once again a drama-filled experience. Chennai was devastated by cyclone Mandaus and trees were scattered everywhere. But that wasn’t going to stop people – not least Rajinikanth’s fans – from traveling to cinema halls to experience the mastermind all over again. Dad for its re-release ,

So, how is the movie this time?

Rajinikanth dubbing for re-release of 'Baba'

Rajinikanth is dubbing for the re-release of ‘Baba’. photo credit: Raghul

The introduction sequence – the most important in any of Rajinikanth’s films – certainly wasn’t the greatest. Dad, But I think the makers have missed a trick by editing it out and instead zooming in on the superstar directly. That and all other editing, in the words of the film’s director, has been done to make it more clear. Suresh Krishna she herself.

Actually, new Dad It’s early It strips away a lot of the flab that was present in the 2002 version; The songs have interludes cut by AR Rahman, and the tracks come and go like you hear them on a modern radio channel.

Whenever Rajinikanth isn’t setting the screen on fire with his dialogues or fights, it’s Goundamani who gets the applause – it’s great to see a comedian on the big screen after a while.

Although, the punch dialogues sound old, which they really are. Many of Rajinikanth’s punch dialogues in the film were written based on the political and cultural milieu of the time, and I suspect people now, especially first-time watchers, will relate to them. However, the computer graphics, and Final Fantasy portions, can be a drawing factor for children.

Dad It might not have been Rajinikanth’s best film when it released in 2002. In 2022, it still isn’t. But it’s still worth a trip to the cinema hall just for the nostalgia; Rajinikanth goes around not taking himself too seriously and trying out incredible action sequences.

Dad It’s bound to be a trip down memory lane, especially if you, like me, have an emotional connect with the film.