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Dozens of directors claim that they have the commercial formula down pat but none can be compared to Shankar who belongs to the rare breed of film-makers who can actually combine a genre like science-fiction with spicy masala quotient.

Sun Pictures' Endhiran (Robot in Hindi), starring superstar Rajnikanth and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Shankar's tenth effort has been raising anticipation sky-high for months, with its special effects and novel script. Aside from being the most anticipated movie of the year, it stars two of India's most iconic actors, and is also the most expensive Indian film to date. The surprising part? It actually does work.

The story is simplicity itself: Dr Vaseegaran, (Rajnikanth), robotics expert, works on a complicated project, designing an android-humanoid meant to help the Indian Army . So absorbed is he in his work that he misses all the calls, smses and emails from his beloved, Sana (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan).

His efforts pay off when the robot, Chitti, is finally unveiled at a International Robotics Conference 2009. Chitti can work wonders armed as he is with almost unlimited super-powers and an ability to process information at light-speed (not to mention every singing and dancing skills on Earth). Dr Vaseegaran's work gets unanimous applause from all except one: Dr Bohra (Danny Denzongpa), his erstwhile mentor and currently jealous scientist whose attempts at creating a robot failed spectacularly. He also happens to head the AIRD (Artificial Intelligence Research and Development), which must, eventually approve Chitti.

There are hilarious scenes as Chitti is first brought out into the open for "testing", so to speak. His adventures in interacting with the human race are a poignant mixture of quirkiness and naivete, leading to quite a few amusing results. Sana is fascinated with him and teaches him an inadvertent lesson in human nature but the real clincher arrives when Vaseegaran, dejected with the rejection of Chitti as a robot, decides to give him a hormone simulation package (and thereby emotions). And then all hell and heaven break loose for everyone, literally and metaphorically.

If you were expecting a regulatar Rajni movie with cyclone winds and an introduction song, you do get them, but not in the way it's usually done.

Shankar the director re-claims his place as helmsman. Here, the story comes first and the characters come into their own later. Science fiction, as a genre, finally gets some place where plenty of technical terms are bandied about (courtesy Sujatha) but none are so puzzling that they leave you confused.

After a long time, you get to see a Rajni who's genuinely stylish and who's had a ball playing three different characters. As the brainy Vaseegaran he wears a French-beard, looks knowledgeable and literally runs away from violence (a very nice touch), but as Chitti, he walks away with considerable applause. His innocence when encountering the human nature to lie; his absolute ecstasy when he first discovers love, and his later fury are fascinating to watch. And there are plenty of song and dance sequences to exhibit those talents as well.

Aishwarya is bold, beautiful, feisty in certain song sequences and melting damsel in others. It's a role that requires her to be more arm-candy than fiery actress, but since a good deal of the movie depends on her bewitching beauty, she fits the role better than anyone else. Wonder of wonders, she even appears throughout the film, instead of in bits and pieces.

Santhanam and Karunaas appear in rather silly roles that seem to have no relevance. In fact, Rajni is such a competent comedian that they pale in comparison. Danny Denzongpa looks distinguished and is every inch the intelligent scientist with an axe to grind. The only grouse is his dubbing where the lip-synching goes hay-wire. The rest appear in blink-and-miss roles.

Here is also where Shankar distinguishes himself as someone who understands star-power and the means to manipulate it: all through the first half, the pace is steady, making use of its star-players' charisma appropriately and unleashing it at others (the train sequence is an example).

The second half is something else altogether: it's a non-stop roller-coaster of action, exploding cars and robot-snakes. The SFX team has gone to town and used their wherewithal in bringing science fiction to life.

Rathnavelu's camera-work is at its best during the song sequences, especially Kadhal Anukkal and Arima Arima. It's swift, clean and precise. Sabu Cyril has gone all out in the art-work and you see the result in Vaseegaran's office and the AIRD premises, which positively glow with futuristic air.

Peter Hain's stunt sequences mimic the swiftness needed for a robot, and make it look convincing. The dance choreographers and costume designers deserve kudos. Antony's editing, while competent at most points, could have been used to better effect; the latter half drags a bit. The film itself clocks close to three hours.

A R Rahman's tunes have already become chart-busters; he proves his mastery over the background score too: the instrumental music of Puthiya Manitha is used to much dramatic effect.

All said and done, this is a Shankar film where he strikes the balance between science fiction and masala quotient. The presence of a concrete story also helps. But Shankar's intelligence lies in giving Rajni super-powers and explaining it convincingly. Yes, there are a few sequences that are silly, but he remains in command for most of the film and actually has brought out the best of Rajni: the quirkiness, flair for comedy, incredible action and the ability to laugh at himself.

Whichever way you look at it, Endhiran is one of those rare films that give you just enough material to pull you in, and enjoy yourself. Just go and have a blast.

Review 2

Super Star Rajinikanth has done it again, that’s multiplied his craze manifold amongst his existing fans and created a whole new lot of fans with his latest man v/s machine super entertainer Endhiran. Touted as a Rs. 160 crore budgeted bonanza making it the costliest ever made Indian film, the sci-fi thriller Robot is a full on paisa vasool entertainer.

Scientist Dr. Vasi (Rajinikanth) after years of hard work succeeds in making an andro humanoid named Chitti. Carrying the power of 100 men, Chitti is well trained in every aspect right. Vasi wants to offer him to the Indian Army but rejection comes from Dr.Vohra (Danny) the ex mentor of Vasi who has some devious plans of his own. It is pointed out that Chitti lacks feelings and can go wrong. Vasi therefore reworks the structure of Chitti and adds human emotions to him. But then complications arise as Chitti experiences the emotion of love from Vasi’s fiancée Sana (Aishwarya Bachchan). He falls in love with her and begins to disobey Vasi’s commands. Sana just considers him her ‘toy-friend’. Things spiral out of shape after an angry and disappointed Vasi dismantles Chitti. What follows as Chitti falls in wrong hands and multiplies his obsession for Sana forms the rest of the film.

Seldom in Indian cinema has a film come that has justified its gargantuan budget and managed to entertain you at the same time. A big bow to director Shankar’s vision and creativity that makes Robot set a new benchmark in filmmaking. All those expecting a typical Rajinikanth entry however, will be disappointed watching him being presented with a subtle entry. But then he makes it up for it by delivering his best. As the film gradually proceeds towards the climax, the number of Rajinikanth’s on screen multiply and continue to entertain. His conversation with a team of mosquitoes or his fights with the goons in a moving local train are extremely delightful. Also, the child birth sequence here is more convincingly done than it was in 3 idiots.

While he is subtle as Dr. Vasi, Rajinikanth has succeeded in pulling off the immensely difficult part of the robot Rajini by picking up the perfect mannerisms of a Robot. After turning villainous, his wicked laughter is just terrific. Aishwarya’s character though relevant to the plot doesn’t have much to do. But she pulls it off well with her dazzling screen presence. She simply looks WOW. Danny is impressive in his short role.

Picking up the best technical talent across the globe that has worked on films such as Jurassic Park, I Robot and Avatar, Shankar has managed to deliver an Indian film that can stand on par technically with the best of Hollywood films in this genre. The last 30 minutes full of action and plenty of jaw dropping moments do make you wish that the film was made in 3D. The only big sore point of the film is A.R Rahman’s utterly forgettable music which to some extent is salvaged by Shankar’s innovative picturisation. The film’s length is around three hours and could have been shorter by at least 10 minutes.

Endhiran guarantees super fun for the entire family and Rajinikanth re-establishes the fact that what no body can, only Rajini can!

Cast: Rajnikant, Aishwarya Rai, Danny Denzongpa, Santhanam, Karunas, Devadarsini, Kalabhavan Mani.

Credits: Story assistance – Sujata, Cinematography – Ratnavelu, Editing – Anthony, Art – Sabu Syril, Action – Peter Haynes, Visual effects – U. Srinivas M Mohan, Frankie Chang and Eddy Wong, Costumes – Mary E Vogt, Lyricists – Vanamali, Suddala Ashok Teja, Bhuvana Chandra, Dialogues – Sree Ramakishna, Music – AR Rehman, Sound – Rasool Pokutty, Producer – Kalanithi Maran, Story, screenplay, direction – Shankar.

Review: Robot (Endhiran) is an Indian film to be proud of (DNA India)

Robot (Endhiran)
Director: Shankar
Cast: Rajinikanth, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Danny Denzogpa and other
Rating: ****

Robot, or Endhiran as the original is called, is India’s costliest film. It stars Rajinikanth, arguably India’s most popular actor around the world. The film has been written and directed by Shankar, whose last film with Rajni – Sivaji – was among the top Indian grossers of all time. The film has an ambitious story to tell, that of a scientist who creates a robot that turns rogue.

All of these facts have been thrown at us right from the time the film went into production. The hype has been gargantuan, the expectations enormous. But when you watch the film, all of them go out for a toss because the expectations and hype don’t live up to the film.

Robot, simply put, is one of the most entertaining Indian films – across all languages – ever made. Do yourself a favour, and go watch Robot.

The film takes no time to get to the point, or ‘dot’ as Dr Vasi [Rajni] would say. Vasi, a scientist, has been working on creating a robot for close to ten years. His creation is Chitti [Rajni, who else], whose body has been modelled on Vasi himself.

The scientist wants his creation to be used by the Indian armed forces for security, but has to get him ready for the Army to approve his invention. He begins a process of training Chitti in various aspects with the help of his girlfriend, Sana [Aishwarya].

Meanwhile, Vasi’s guru in science, Dr Bohra [Danny], has been trying to create his own fleet of robots, but one which would cause more destruction than do good.

In Chitti, Bohra sees the opportunity to fulfil his dream. Bohra, who heads the committee that could approve Chitti’s induction in the army, cites Chitti’s inability to differentiate between good and bad, and to take the right decisions, as a reason to deny Chitti’s inclusion in the army.

Vasu wants to now train Chitti in a different manner, teaching him the value of human relationships and ability to understand emotions. Vasi succeeds, but his plan backfires when Chitti falls in love with Sana. What follows is complete mayhem.

The film has an outrageous plot to begin with. The robot runs sideways on a train, talks to mosquitoes when he’s in ‘Mosquito mode’ [hilarious] and develops ‘feelings’. But what makes them work is director Shankar’s ability to involve these within the confines of the story, and to pull them off in the most entertaining way possible.

We have seen ‘SUPERSTAR Rajni’ [as the title suggests] doing the most hard-to-fathom things on screen before – we all know how he used a knife to cut a bullet aimed at him, the two halves of which went on to kill two other people.

In Robot, Rajni plays a humanoid capable of doing things no man can. Basically, he’s a ‘Rajni’. So while the actor’s super-herogiri keeps you enthralled, you know it’s all there for a reason. For that, credit goes to Shankar for letting Rajni’s legendary skills come through, but at no point of the film does it get bigger than the plot itself.

The film has the best special effects ever seen in an Indian film. Never before could you imagine the kind of climax you see in Robot. You are spellbound at one stunt after another and Shankar has imaginatively utilised the scope the story provides him to innovate action sequences that, frankly, are jaw-droppingly good.

Of course, some of us may be used to seeing such action in Hollywood blockbusters, but Robot matches up to quite a few of them, if it doesn’t better them. And that is saying a lot.

For Shankar, this is a giant step as a filmmaker. He dares to think big and pulls it off too. Making a film, the budget of which exceeds Rs150 crores isn’t child’s play, and Shankar makes sure he puts to good use every last penny. Inspirations, of course, are hard to miss. Vasi has another robot, modeled on R2D2 from the Star Wars series, who mysteriously disappears after the first scene.

Chitti’s body, when damaged especially, reminds one of the Terminator and his pranks are similar to that of Jim Carrey’s Mask. But to Shankar’s credit, he integrates these into a very Indian story and gives you something original at the end of it.

Aishwarya is an inspired bit of casting. Her charm to be able to attract even a robot comes through and she looks like a million bucks. Thankfully, she gives a performance better than in all her recent films. Danny is efficient as usual.

The camerawork and editing give the film the edge it requires [although some may argue the film could have been shorter], and the art direction is of a very high standard.

Credit needs to go to Swanand Kirkire, who has translated the film’s dialogues in Hindi. Compared to other dubbed films, this is no rush job and every scene seems to have been worked painstakingly on.

Kirkire retains the humour, emotions and thought in the dialogues, and with Aishwarya and Danny having dubbed their own lines, it’s a good experience for a Hindi film audience. The voice actor who has dubbed for both the Rajnis does a good job too.

Rajinikanth, whose fan following extends beyond India into many other countries of the world, gives his many admirers something to cherish in Robot. In fact, if you’re not a Rajni fan, you might just be one after watching Robot.

Whether he woos the heroine in the most garish attire in outrageously shot songs or fights off an entire battalion without as much a scratch on him – he’s a robot after all – Rajni pulls it off with style. When the robot turns sinister towards the end, Rajni’s transformation has to be seen to be believed.

The creepy laughter, body language, the sneer under the heavily made up face all create an effect that leaves you spellbound. This a Rajni fest all the way, and it’s not to be missed.

Chulbul Pandey can move over, Robot is here. And he’s here to stay.

'Endhiran': The Big Daddy of Entertainers!

'Endhiran', directed by Shankar, is a Rajnikanth Express that transports you to a world you can't envision.