Darbar Movie Review: A Commercial One-Man Show of Superstar Rajinikanth

Darbar, the precious battle pass of AR Murugadoss, to step into the ground has been unveiled today. Whatever, Darbar is a Rajini film that cannot be said no to watch. So, the craze has just made the fans of Rajinikanth to drive into the screens. The craze made the theaters Housefull and celebrations outside the theaters. But, "how about the movie" is a big question right now.

The story seems to be a normal one if some items like the bad cop character and high profile villain from the Bollywood are excluded. But, the Bad Cop character, that bumps out on a Human Rights personals with a slap and sharp stare, suites perfectly to the Superstar. The charisma seems encouraging for his age, and that definitely conveys "age is just a number for Superstar." That particular scene has created goosebumps across the audience. 

The plot goes this way. Superstar (Aditya Arunachalam), who is a police officer with deep confidence to overthrow crimes in whatever the city he gets posted in, takes charge as Mumbai Police Commissioner for a short mission to stop drug use and women-trafficking in the town. The quick mission turns out to be a prolonged one after confronting, Ajay Malhotra (Prateik Babbar), the son of a bad police-hating drug lord Sunil Shetty and an unbearable loss. The how of Adithya Arunachalam takes down the drug lord and his son with impeccable plans and avenge his unbearable loss is the story of Darbar.

Most of the first half ends in the flashback that explains why the calm and cool cop turned out to be the rogue and bad cop, later. Though the first half shows some twists, it lags in some portions while the second half ends swiftly. Director manages to fill sentiments and pin-drop silence for a few minutes in the theater in the second half.

Talking about the characters, Nivetha Thomas acted as Valli, the only daughter of the police commissioner Adithya Arunachalam done her part as she did in Papanaasam with Kamal Haasan. The Father-Daughter combination of Nivetha and Rajinikanth has worked out well in the movie and created an excellent impression in the story. Apart from the position, the daughter of the Rajinikanth, Nivetha Thomas, stood in the story as an essential lead and a responsible daughter who deliberately looks to marry Nayanthara (Lily) to her widowed father.

As per the tradition of Indian Cinema, Nayanthara (the so-called heroine of the film) has not been used much in the content. Yogi Babu, who acted as the caretaker of the commissioner, showed his efficiency as much as he could, and his parts with the Superstar worked out well.

Sunil Shetty, the once upon a time charming hero of the Bollywood, made his contribution as Hari Chopra, the bad police-hating drug lord, in the movie. Though his entry marks only in the middle as an unexpected villain, the director has efficiently tied him to the story.

The background score of Anirudh Ravichander stood as the big support for the entire film. The BGMs are killing and shown the bad cop character in its own angle. Stunts choreographed by Peter Hein, Ram Chella, and Lakshman Chella helps the movie to go brisk and secure till the end despite of its no logic things. The cinematography of Santhosh Sivan and Sreekar Prasad's editing works can get special points.

As said before, the story of Darbar has already been talked much in Indian cinema. It failed in innovation. But, that ain't slowed down the movie and the 70-year-old young actor's stardom.

Totally, Darbar is the one-man show of Rajinikanth and lacks the regular social message stuff of AR Murugadoss in this film. Though it is a fast phased movie, the only thing that stands in the heart is Rajinikanth's style and charismatic face and sharp look.

Darbar would be a better choice to enjoy the Pongal and Sanskriti holidays.