We all remember how uncomfortable superstar Rajinikanth appeared dancing alongside the likes of Anushka and Sonakshi Sinha in Lingaa. It’s also not easy to forget how manufactured and inorganic Rajini’s face looks when the sixty-something-year-old icon is covered in layers of makeup to look 30 years younger. Seriously, just check out the music video below.
However, it seemed like Pa. Ranjith’s Kabali and Kaala permanently closed that chapter in Rajini’s book. In both those movies, Rajini plays an ageing man. His standard introductory song in which he sings and dances vigorously was replaced with songs sung and danced by younger members of the community, with Rajini only busting a couple of his classic moves towards the end of the song. Elaborate romance sequences in which Rajini woos a girl using a harmonica or chases a girl around a temple was replaced with sequences of husband and wife quibbling. In Kabali Rajini’s character has a daughter in her 20s; In Kaala, Rajini even has grandchildren. And Rajini himself never looked better. At 67 years old, Rajini should be playing these type of characters. He isn’t Michael Corleone anymore, he’s Don Vito Corleone.
However, if recent reports are to be believed, it seems like Rajinikanth could once again be playing a much younger self in Karthik Subbaraj’s upcoming mass movie (or perhaps he’ll be playing an ageing man with a much, much younger girlfriend, which is just as facepalm-worthy). According to Times of India, a source close to the development mentioned that Malavika Mohanan will be the female lead opposite Rajinikanth. The source also went on to say:
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Malavika makes her debut in this lavishly-mounted Tamil production which also features Vijay Sethupathi. Unlike her character from Dhobi Ghat in Majidi’s film, she will be seen in a glamorous avatar in this light-hearted action drama, one of the most expensive films ever made in Tamil.
That said, it is important that we take this piece of news with a grain of salt for now. After all, this isn’t official information from the makers of the film themselves, but an unnamed source. While it’s probably true that Malavika will be starring in this film too, she could be playing Vijay Sethupathi’s partner, instead of Rajini’s, or a number of other ‘glamorous’ roles. For now, it’s best we trust Karthik Subbaraj, who has proven himself to be a brilliant filmmaker thus far.
