Favorite Rajni Performances - II

Kaali - Mullum Malarum


To director Mahendran goes the credit for giving Rajnikanth one of his best and most memorable roles. Kaali, the winch operator in Mullum Malarum, is a role tailor-made for Rajni. It is a complicated character whose affection for his only sister is matched only by his ego and arrogance and the role fits Rajni like a glove.

Rajni always shines in characters displaying affection, whether directed at his mother, father, brother or sister. I've noticed that his otherwise-rough face softens amazingly in such roles. He is terrific here as he attends to Shobha's every need(the whole marudhaani sequence is awesome) and his tender conversations with her are very sweet. We see another side of him in his meetings with Sarathbabu and his irritation and dislike are brought out in every action. For a combination of both those sides, see how well he displays his pride when Shobha runs back to him in the climax. And for an actor never considered a good dancer, his uninhibited dancing for Raman Aandaalum... is a treat to watch.