Kathanayakudu
(remake
of
the
Malayalam
movie
Katha
Parayumbol)
has
the
special
aura
and
look
of
a
typical
Rajini
film;
yet,
in
the
place
of
the
usual
style
king,
audiences
get
to
see
the
emotional
actor
in
the
superstar
(the
last
scene
is
particularly
superb!)
similar
to
the
role
portrayed
in
the
classic
Aarilirindhu
Arubadhu
Varai.
The
Tamil
remake
has
of
course
deviated
from
the
original
and
incorporated
a
few
interesting
changes;
Rajini's
role
has
been
considerably
expanded,
yet
the
movie
is
completely
devoid
of
artifice
and
commercial
frippery.
Blockbuster
director
P.
Vasu
knows
audiences'
expectations
from
a
Rajni
movie.
With
such
an
action
hero
in
the
lead
role,
Vasu
has
displayed
commendable
sagacity
and
showcased
him
with
an
image
makeover.
The
story
of
Kathanayakudu
goes
like
this:
Two
childhood
friends
grow
up
together
in
a
small
village,
then
go
their
separate
ways.
One
rises
to
become
a
superstar.
The
other
struggles
through
life
and
barely
ekes
out
a
living
as
a
barber
in
the
same
village.
When
the
barber
and
the
superstar
meet,
there
is
evidently
a
clash
of
personalities.
But
how
do
they
overcome
their
differences
and
rekindle
their
friendship?
Superstar,
portrayed
as
superstar
himself,
is
something
nobody
in
Tamil
cinema
dared
to
attempt
till
date.
The
characterization
itself
has
a
touch
of
novelty
and
exclusivity.
The
best
part
is
that
in
the
role
of
a
superstar,
Rajni
has
taken
this
opportunity
to
answer
some
important
questions
put
by
his
fans.
Why
he
is
avoiding
politics?
Why
do
movie
cameras
focus
mainly
on
the
industry's
big
shots
like
Rajni
and
Kamal?
Is
there
a
secret
behind
his
periodic
visits
to
the
Himalayas?
If
you
watch
Kathanayakudu,
you
are
sure
to
find
answers
to
all
these
questions!
Though
the
focus
is
more
on
the
superstar,
Jagapathy
shines
as
a
solid
performer.
Particularly
in
a
sequence
where
everybody
lauds
and
reveres
him
as
the
star's
friend,
the
timidity
and
longing
projected
from
his
eyes
display
the
great
actor's
talent.
Nayantara
is
simply
gorgeous
and
Meena
warms
audiences'
hearts.
G.V.
Prakash's
music
('Thalaiva'
song
tugs
at
one's
heart-strings!),
Arvind
Krishna's
camera
and
Thotta
Tharani's
art
direction
--
all
these
constitute
Kathanayakudu's
crowning
glories.
After
Sivaji,
the
movie
is
a
fitting
comeback
for
Rajni.
Such
a
strong
role,
in
which
he
downplays
his
own
talents
and
icon
status,
could
be
performed
only
by
Rajni,
a
star
and
visionary
of
highest
order.
And
all
the
love
and
admiration
his
fans
have
for
their
'Thalaivar'
have
worked
as
an
uplifting
breeze,
guaranteeing
the
success
of
Kathanayakudu.
Cast
:
Rajinikanth,
Nayantara,
Meena,
Jagapathi
Babu
Banner
:
Kavithalaya
and
Seven
Arts
Films
Direction
:
P.Vasu
Music
:
GV
Prakash
Kumar
Camera
:
Arvind
Krishna
Art
:
Thotta
Tharani