Monday, December 12, 2005

Favorite Rajni Film Scenes - II

"The Election Result" - Annamalai


Annamalai is my favorite Rajni movie. It follows the Rajni formula but still manages to seem well-grounded in reality with memorable characters and non-melodramatic relationships that don't seem over-the-top. The hilarious comedy, great stunt sequences and measured political double entendres make it a really complete film.

My pick from a number of great scenes is the one where Rajni wins the Hotels Association Chief election and the fact that it has no dialogs is testimony to Rajni's charisma and screen presence. The scene has great buildup as we see only Rajni's feet walking up to the room even as the results are being announced and the door opens on cue, as his name is announced, to show him standing behind, smoking his cigar. He has our full attention as he walks up(in slo-mo ofcourse) to the head of the table and in a move that spells arrogance, blows smoke right into Sarathbabu's face. And he then sits down, crosses his legs and leans back in victory. Whew!

Whatever music director Deva's faults may be, he really had no equal in composing the background score for Rajni. This scene has mindblowing, soaring BGM that heightens the impact and perfectly hits the peak at the end.

8 Comments:

At 6:49 PM, Blogger narayanan said...

appo elevator scene illaya ? oh no. scene 1 enna? ore suspense'a irukke.

That 'R A J N I' theme introduced in Annamalai, and still a sensation today. I donno why Rajini opts for Rahman where Deva better suited his type of movies.

-narayanan

 
At 6:53 PM, Blogger Siva Nara said...

My most favorite Rajini movie till date is Annamalai. I hardly watch movies but if there is one Tamil movie I wouldn't mind watching again and again that is Annamalai.

Last year, my wife Priya gave Annamalai's DVD as gift and I was more than thrilled.

BTW, my most favorite scene in Annamalai is the elevator. Really pun intended.

Good writing Balaji. Keep it up.

 
At 7:16 PM, Blogger Balaji said...

narayanan, yep. its still used for the title card. btw, adhu escalator scene and not elevator right?

siva, elevator/escalator scene for u too? looks like that scene is pretty popular. i think it immediately follows the election scene...

 
At 7:18 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

no. 1 scene-- baasha-la "unmaiya sonnen" scene?

 
At 7:59 PM, Blogger narayanan said...

oops. yeah it is escalator scene :). yes that scene is immediately after the scene you posted. the reason it is quite famous is it quite shows how Sarath Babu goes down and Rajini climbs up (repeating the challenge in the background) and finally the master punch 'Malai da Annamalai'. I would whistle as loudly as I could if I knew how to whistle :)

guesses for scene 1: 'innoru thadava unna parthen, partha edathulaye kuzhi thondi pudhachuduven' after he beats down Ananthraj, just before the Intermission. right'a ?

-narayanan

 
At 8:47 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My scene no 1 will be from moondru mugam
Senthamarai and Rajni confrontation.
Dialogue goes like 'Indha Alex paandiyan pera sonna, kozhandha adhoda vaayayum mooditu pakkathula irukkara amma oda vaayayum moodum'. IMO one of the best movies with Rajni's style at its peak!

And some scenes that come closer are in baasha
1. When he goes to the college for his sisters admission. The face reaction of the guy when Rajni reveals his identity
2. When he tells his brother 'uLLe poa'

 
At 10:38 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Balaji,
that escalator scene in which rajni goes up and sarath babu goes down (with no background music) and after a long silence rajini telling 'Maley da..Annamalai' is the best of that film in my opinion

Ramkumar

 
At 10:19 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Udal mannuku uyier thalaivarukku

Do any one have annamalai theme music, kindly upload the same.

 

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