Movie Review: Petta (Tamil)
Petta (read: Hood) is akin to watching a parade of Rajinikanth's biggest hits. Even the opening credits make it very clear: "The film is inspired from, performed by, dedicated to the only one Super Star Rajinikanth." This is an unabashed tribute to Brand Rajini from a fan, for the fans, even if Brand Karthik Subbaraj suffers as a result. For the maker of movies like Pizza, Jigarthanda, Iraivi and Mercury delivers an action entertainer that, while zippy and solid masala, gets consumed in its own Rajini worship that other characters become throwaways and the story, a casualty.
Needless to say, the threadbare plot, a not so subtle nod to Baashha, exists solely to deify the leading man, but it isn't until post intermission Petta begins to coalesce, blending Rajini's style and charisma, and Subbaraj's signature quirks and his penchant for big twists, culminating in an all-guns-blazing climax set against the saffron-soaked backdrop of Maha Shivratri. Petta meanders for the most part, but for those who wish to see the 90's Rajini back, there couldn't have been a better way to "get Rajinified."
P.S.: That Nawazuddin Siddiqui makes his Tamil debut aside, the fact that he was even cast in the movie despite having been accused of sexual abuse in last year's #MeToo outpouring in India only reinforces the status quo, with the men facing no consequences for their actions while the women suffer serious setbacks to their careers.
Needless to say, the threadbare plot, a not so subtle nod to Baashha, exists solely to deify the leading man, but it isn't until post intermission Petta begins to coalesce, blending Rajini's style and charisma, and Subbaraj's signature quirks and his penchant for big twists, culminating in an all-guns-blazing climax set against the saffron-soaked backdrop of Maha Shivratri. Petta meanders for the most part, but for those who wish to see the 90's Rajini back, there couldn't have been a better way to "get Rajinified."
P.S.: That Nawazuddin Siddiqui makes his Tamil debut aside, the fact that he was even cast in the movie despite having been accused of sexual abuse in last year's #MeToo outpouring in India only reinforces the status quo, with the men facing no consequences for their actions while the women suffer serious setbacks to their careers.
But he was only "accused." Would you prefer to see men punished for unproven actions?
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late response. I just happened to see your comment. I am not saying they should be punished, but just that we, as audiences, be mindful of who they are in real life. The fact that someone may be the best actor, singer and have all the talent in the world is secondary. We cannot, and should not, separate the art from the artist. Hope this clarifies!
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