Two
things...
One,
it's
difficult
to
conceptualize
and
execute
a
film
like
The
Robot.
Two,
when
Rajinikanth's
name
comes
in
the
credits,
one
cannot
hear
anything
for
the
next
two
minutes.
His
name
is
greeted
with
a
thunderous
applause,
whistles,
yells
and
cheers.
Such
is
the
charisma
of
this
superstar.
Rajinikanth
is
the
Boss.
The
real
Baadshah.
The
Robot,
directed
by
Shankar,
is
a
Rajinikanth
Express
that
transports
you
to
a
world
you
can't
envision.
Rajinikanth's
feats
are
legendary
by
now.
In
The
Robot,
he
goes
a
step
further.
The
Robot
not
only
follows
orders
of
his
creator,
but
also
cooks,
fights,
romances
and
wonder
of
wonders,
has
a
lengthy
conversation
with
a
mosquito
and
scan
loads
of
books/magazines
and
an
entire
telephone
directory
in
a
second.
Yes,
you
read
it
right!
That's
not
all,
this
Robot
is
Superman
+
Spiderman
+
Terminator
+
Godzilla,
all
rolled
into
one.
There's
more
to
this
Robot.
It
can
replicate
itself,
wage
a
vicious
battle,
turn
into
an
Anaconda
or
a
monster
ball
and
wipe
off
an
entire
army.
Whew!
Known
for
larger
than
life
canvas,
The
Robot
is
Shankar's
most
expensive
and
if
I
may
say
so,
his
most
imaginative
film
thus
far.
And
who
better
than
Rajinikanth
for
the
pivotal
role!
Final
word?
A
Rajinikanth
film
is
an
event
and
this
combo's
(Shankar
-
Rajinikanth)
new
outing
The
Robot
is
sure
to
strike
like
Tsunami.
Let
me
make
it
short-n-sweet.
If
you
miss
The
Robot,
it's
YOUR
loss!
Location:
Chennai
2010.
Mission:
Creating
a
The
Robot
Chitti.
Purpose:
To
help
the
society.
Development
time:
10
years.
Special
Features:
A
human
who
is
not
born,
but
is
created.
He
can
dance,
sing,
fight,
is
water
and
fire
resistant.
He
can
do
all
that
a
human
can
and
more.
He
feeds
on
electricity.
He
takes
instructions
literally.
Where
a
human
can
lie
to
save
himself,
this
Robot
cannot
lie.
Where
he
has
a
razor
sharp
memory
and
can
memorize
an
entire
telephone
directory
by
just
running
through
the
pages,
he
cannot
understand
human
emotions.
Dr.
Vasi
upgrades
Chitti's
processor
and
simulates
human
emotions
without
realizing
the
repercussions.
Chitti
gets
transformed.
He
can
now
feel
and
the
first
feeling
that
he
discovers
is
Love.
Will
this
love
come
in
the
way
of
Dr.
Vasi's
purpose
of
creating
Chitti?
Will
Dr.
Vasi's
own
creation
destroy
him?
A
title
like
The
Robot
automatically
puts
tremendous
responsibility
and
pressure
on
the
director's
shoulders.
And
The
Robot
is
not
merely
a
display
of
VFX,
but
it
also
has
soul,
a
story
to
tell.
At
first,
The
Robot
comes
across
as
a
clash
between
the
virtuous
(Rajinikanth)
and
wicked
(Danny
Denzongpa).
But
The
Robot
changes
gears
in
its
post-interval
portions
as
the
focus
shifts
to
the
creator
(Rajinikanth)
and
his
creation
(Rajinikanth).
It's
a
Rajinikanth
film
and
it
would
be
incomplete
if
his
loyal
fans
don't
get
to
watch
his
stylish
actions
and
feats.
Thankfully,
The
Robot
showcases
it
all.
He
can
glide
on
the
railway
tracks,
run
horizontally
on
a
moving
train,
transform
into
an
Anaconda,
can
swallow
helicopters
and
even
fire
at
people
with
his
fingers,
without
using
a
pistol.
These
are
truly
clap-trap
moments!
Even
otherwise,
the
screenplay
is
really
well
penned
and
absorbing.
While
the
film
is
a
super
ride
from
start
to
end,
it's
the
penultimate
25
minutes
that
leaves
you
awe-struck
and
speechless.
You
can't
imagine
a
Hindi
film
having
such
an
out
of
the
world
climax.
There
will
be
pandemonium
inside
theatres
when
the
climax
unfolds,
I
am
sure.
Let
me
confess,
it's
the
mother
of
all
climaxes!
Only
thing,
Shankar
could've
controlled
the
length
of
the
film.
It
could've
been
shorter
by
at
least
10
to
15
minutes,
which
includes
doing
away
with
a
song
or
two.
Of
course,
like
all
Shankar
movies,
the
songs
are
filmed
most
imaginatively
on
exotic
locales,
but
what's
the
point
of
having
songs
if
they
act
as
speed
breakers?
That
Shankar
ranks
amongst
India's
best
directors
is
well
known
by
now
and
The
Robot
only
cements
the
fact.
His
vision
and
execution
of
the
difficult
subject
deserves
the
highest
praise,
in
fact
distinction
marks.
He
not
only
dreams
big,
but
the
outcome
is
incredible
too.
A.R.
Rahman's
music
doesn't
compliment
the
content
of
the
film,
but
like
I
pointed
out
earlier,
every
song
has
been
filmed
exquisitely.
The
action
and
chase
sequences
are
outstanding
(Yuen
Woo
Ping,
action
choreographer
in
the
Matrix
and
Kill
Bill
sequels,
was
the
stunt
coordinator).
Visual
effects
are
spectacular
(Stan
Winston
Studio,
the
studio
behind
Jurassic
Park,
Predator,
Terminator,
Iron
Man,
Avatar,
provided
the
animatronics
technology).
Cinematography
captures
the
grand
production
values
with
precision.
The
locations
of
Austria,
Machu
Picchu
in
Peru,
U.S.A.
and
Brazil
only
enhance
the
visual
appeal
of
the
film.
The
sets
are
mind-blowing.
Dubbing
is
near-perfect.
The
Robot
is
a
Rajinikanth
show
from
start
to
end.
And
no
other
actor,
not
from
Bollywood
at
least,
would
be
able
to
do
what
he
does
with
such
amazing
ease.
Aishwarya
Bachchan
looks
stunning
and
acts
most
convincingly.
Danny
Denzongpa
is
efficient,
as
always.
The
remaining
actors
enact
their
parts
well.
On
the
whole,
The
Robot
is
a
crowd-pleasing
and
hugely
mass
appealing
tale
of
android
revolution
with
a
thrilling
plot,
rich
and
imaginative
screenplay,
super
action,
astounding
effects
and
most
importantly,
Rajinikanth,
who
is
the
soul
of
the
film.
It's
the
Big
Daddy
of
all
entertainers.
Miss
it
at
your
own
risk!
Director:
S
Shankar
Cast:
Rajinikanth,
Aishwarya
Rai,
Danny
Denzongpa