If you are a '90s kid and expect to see an Alex Pandian on screen once again after decades, Rajinikanth's Darbar will be a definite disappointment. After decades, as the superstar dons the police uniform on the big screen again and emerges in style, it is fun watching him. The superstar is a bundle of energy in Darbar as he walks, laughs, flips his hair and puts on his sunglasses, but lacks the fire that we saw in Mooondru Mugam's Alex Pandian. And when the plot and screenplay are disappointing, all you can do is take comfort in watching Rajinikanth pull off his 'Rajinisms'.
Taking on the role of a tough cop who goes on rampage against drug peddlers, Rajinikanth is Aaditya Arunasalam, Commissioner of Police, Mumbai City. As the movie begins, every newspaper headline speaks about the chilling killing of bad men of the underworld. In the backdrop of these events, Rajinikanth gets his mass entry, beating up the bad men. Music director Anirudh Ravichander allows the audience to fully be gripped by Rajini's charisma as he blends in a reworked Annamalai BGM and also a bit of Baasha.
Aaditya Arunasalam is transferred from Delhi on a special assignment to Mumbai. A sincere police officer, he moves to Mumbai with his daughter Valli (Nivetha Thomas), and takes charge. He discovers that Ajay Malhotra (Prateik Babbar) is the kingpin of a major drug racket. What happens to Ajay Malhotra? How and why villain Hari Chopra (Suniel Shetty), who has a history of burning police officers alive, will faceoff with Rajinikanth forms rest of the plot.
Darbar juggles with lots of Rajinisms—his characteristic style, dialogues, and the theme of a bad but genuine cop make it a commercial masala movie. As a cop, Rajinikanth, lacks the fitness and it is hard to imagine the youthfulness of an 'Aaditya' in him, while the Arunasalam is acceptable. Though director AR Murugadoss has tried hard to make Rajinikanth play the role of an energetic cop, the character fails to strike a chord. There is dearth of fresh ideas and knots in the screenplay are not enjoyable, especially when there is a proxy prisoner and when he is shot dead or when Rajinikanth sets into a romantic mood to impress Lilly (Nayanthara).
And of course, the lady superstar who has quite a huge fan following, has little role to play. There is nothing specific to be mentioned about her character, except a heroine who comes to dance with him and pays for her own coffee that she sips with the commissioner at a coffee shop. Nivetha, as Rajinikanth’s daughter, delivers an emotional performance in the second half. Nivetha has done her part, yet the father-daughter relationship feels cold.
Of course, an Alex Pandian cannot be recreated, because there is no villain like Senthamarai. At the end, with his hair tied in style and a few buttons of his shirt left open, Suniel Shetty aces the villain-walk with a gun, but depresses the audience with a lack-lustre performance that doesn't give you the chills. Rajinikanth has to be praised for all his hardwork, and entertaining his fans even at the age of 70. But the one big aspect missing in the theatre was the usual loud cheering and bustle of fans. The first cheer was heard as Rajinikanth entered in style, with a BGM to complement it. The second cheer was heard only in the second half as he goes for a workout to prove his physical and mental fitness.
Darbar is a complete commercial movie; watch it only for Rajinikanth. With a weak villain character, a long flashback, unending cat and mouse games and an emotional second half, Darbar is just a regular cop entertainer for Rajini fans.
Film: Darbar
Cast: Rajinikanth, Nayanthara, Nivetha Thomas, Suniel Shetty, Prateik Babbar, Yogi Babu
Director: AR Murugadoss
Rating: 2.5/5