Caution : *Long Post with few Spoilers Ahead*

Sci-fi films are a rarity in Indian cinema and more so in south Indian film industry. If you wonder why this genre hasn’t really clicked in India, then have a look at a “gem” of a film called “Love Story 2050”. The film was good enough to slap the elite filmmakers out of their daydreams of making a sci-fi film and remind them that people cannot be taken for a ride! But then, when a director like Shankar announces that he’s making a sci-fi film with Rajinikanth, we can’t help but hope that this film changes the dismal track record which this genre has in our cinema. Why Shankar, you ask? Remember the famous song, Mukkabla from Kadhalan? Shankar wowed us with the special effects and since then, they had become an integral part of his films in one way or the other. Still, despite the impeccable track record which both Rajini and Shankar have, pulling off a Rs 150+ crore ‘sci-fi’ commercial film sounded like skiing on the rings of Saturn! 24 hours after I saw the film, I can safely conclude that the money and responsibility of making this film was entrusted in safe hands.

It’s not I, Robot. Neither is it Bicentennial Man. But it does take some basic elements from these two films and morphs into a full fleged visual extravaganza with a local flavour. Before you stamp the film as a special effects gimmickry, we need to spare a thought for the script, Shankar’s vision and what Rajini along with the rest of the cast has done with the script under the aegis of Kalanidhi Maran. Yes, there are some mind-boggling special effects which would certainly wow us towards the end of the film. What’s interesting is the lead up to this point is poignantly written while retaining all the necessary ingredients expected from a masala entertainer. Shankar’s masterstroke lies in striking a balance between Rajini’s charisma and the script he had written for the film along with Sujatha Rangarajan. One of the reasons why so many people have been saying that it’s more of a Shankar’s film than a Rajini’s film is precisely because of this reason. And that’s quite an achievement in itself.

Notice how Shankar harnesses superstar’s charisma and unleashes it when you least expect it! There’s hardly a big bang introduction, which otherwise is a norm in a typical Rajini’s film. The director wastes no time in establishing the fact that Dr Vaseegaran (Rajini) has been working on making a humanoid-andriod for the past ten years. His dedication has taken a toll on his social life and also his love with Sana (Aishwarya Rai). But he does succeed in making a Robot who’s later named as Chitti (Rajini again). I don’t know if the rules of robotics apply to Chitti, but he’s always there for Dr Vaseegaran and Sana when they need him. Chitti’s honesty lands them in trouble, but the incidents and their consequences are extremely convincing at the same time.

The conflict point between Chitti and Vaseegaran was perhaps the first instance which made me realize the effort Shankar and Sujatha had put in their script. After the relationship between Sana, Vaseegaran and Chitti is well-established, there’s a scene where Danny (Vaseegaran’s senior) tests the intelligence of Chitti. It follows all the commands but doesn’t have the power to take decisions on its own and this point is remarkably established in the film. I had goosebumps when I saw the scene, simply because no other scene in the film conveys the psyche of a robot which says, “I followed your orders!” Once Vaseegaran realizes the fact that Chitti cannot be of great service to the country unless it has emotions, he becomes oblivious to its consequences while teaching Chitti about the importance of emotions. Blinded by passion, he does everything possible to make Chitti into an invincible soldier guarding the nation. But Chitti falls in love and the dialogues when question about the authenticity and sincerity of his feelings ensure that there’s enough emotional quotient in the story. Therre were instances where I couldn’t say whether Chitti was a robot or not! Maybe love does that to you…after blinding you, of course!

When does an actor raise above the script and leave his mark forever in our mind? Does an actor like Rajinikanth whose sheer presence sends his fans into frenzy need to so something spectacular to be remembered? Robo presents Rajinikanth like no other film since Padayappa. He’s present in almost every frame of the film either as the scientist or the robot. And the icon along with Shankar make sure that every second of Robo is lit up with splendidly written gags or heart wrenching emotional sequences. Not to forget the stunning action sequences and choreography! It’s tough to make out if there was a body double for Rajini! Whatever maybe the case, Rajini proves that when’s on screen, you would rather let your popcorn and cola rot in hell! His screen presence needs no introduction, but for a generation which doesn’t quite understand why his roles in films like Annamalai, Basha and Padayappa were so famous, then Chitti V2.0 is your answer. If Kroor Singh from ‘Chandrakantha’ was a robot and you add zeta bytes of evilness in him, then Chitti V2.0 would be a kazillion times more suave than that in terms of his villainy! Rajini literally and figuratively shakes the fanboy in you and unleash his fury much to our awe. All I could say was…FUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKK….Thalaivaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrr, YOU ROCK!!!

I have never been a fan of Aishwarya Rai and partially agree with the popular sentiment that she’s more plastic than plastic itself. I can’t remember when was the last time she wowed me with her acting skills. But something was different in Robo. For the first time, I saw a woman who’s so gorgeous that I wanted to reconsider my perspective of her aura! The film, although revolves around her, doesn’t give her much scope to ‘perform’. Yet, Shankar compensates this state by making her appear so ravishing that a lot of us end up being ‘Chittis’! A lot of credit for this goes to the cinematographer, Rathnavelu. The colours and lighting which he uses to make every frame appear distinct is noteworthy. The costumes of both the actors are gawdy, especially in the songs. But then, they say it’s all futuristic and when you have a dream song with a robot, then anything is possible. Every Dengue Lakshmi would agree to that! Other like Danny Denzongpa, Santhanam, Karunas are competent in their roles.

A R Rahman’s music fights hard with the visual grandeur of the songs to make itself heard. Be it Kilimanjaro or Neelo Valupe, the breathtaking locales of Machu Picchu, Peru and Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil make more impact than Rajman’s music. Atleast that’s what happened in my case. Sabu Cyril’s art direction and action choreography by Yuen Woo Ping are among the most talked about aspects of the film and it’s not without a reason. Watch the action sequence in the train and you will know why Robo is such a kickass film. The last 25 minutes of the film is a totally different story altogether. It has to be seen to be believed. If you are with the right crowd, when people love to express their excitement, this act in the film has so much energy that it’s bound to leave you overwhelmed.

Two of the biggest directors in South India, S S Rajamouli and Shankar have never had a flop in their careers. Both of them have mastered the art of churning out commercial hits for the past several years. This time, Shankar breaks free from all shackles and dreams big. His ten year dream of making this film couldn’t have been possible had it not been for Kalanidhi Maran’s belief in Shankar, Rajini and the rest of the team. Like any other Shankar film, there’s something or the other to be learnt from his films. After a long time he moves away from ‘corruption’ and concentrates on man vs machine conflict. In doing so, he rakes in several issues regarding love, sex, marriage and more importantly the will to survive for love. Had it not been for Shankar’s expertise in handling the conflict point, the whole film would have demagnatised itself within no time! We bow to your imagination, sire. You have once again proved that when it comes to big bang entertainment, you are the King!

As the end credits roll, I couldn’t help but think, when was the last time I had so much fun while watching a film? I couldn’t remember. When was the last time I cried with joy and cheered for every move of a character on screen? I couldn’t remember. Perhaps, that’s why people say Rajini’s films are sheer magic especially when they are made by someone like Shankar. Go watch the film and get Robotised (or Endhiranised, if you are watching the Tamil version). It’s one overwhelming experience which we may never go through ever again in a long time. All hail Chitti V2.0. Dot.

P.S: If you are someone who has ridiculed the film when it began or turned down the offer when Shankar approached you, all I can say is – Mmmmmmmmmmeeeeeehhhhhhhheeeeeeee. Especially you sir, the resident of ‘Mannat’.