Kabali Genre: Action Director: Pa Ranjith Cast: Rajinikanth, Radhika Apte, Dhansika, Winston Chao, Dinesh Ravi, John Vijay, Kalaiarasan Harikrishnan, Kishore et cetera Being screened at QFX Cinemas Kathmandu When it is a Rajinikanth movie, there are high expectations from the audience for some thrilling action. Villains flying through the air, gang fights, hero-villain chasing scenes and the use of long sticks — these are things that you expect in a Thalaivar film. Though there are scenes of gang fight, the action one expects in a Rajinikanth movie is missing in Kabali. The story line is simple — Kabali (Rajinikanth) and Gang 43 are trying to overpower each other. Leaving the tussle behind, the movie focuses more on the family issues as it moves on. Having spent 25 years in a Malaysian jail, Kabali’s release is a surprise for gangsters. As the plot moves on, the audience come to know about his past and the causes for him being locked up. As he comes out of jail, he wants to regain his position, power, name and fame that he had gained while he was fighting for the Tamilians’ rights in Malaysia. As he fights for the Tamilians, he has to pay the price with his family. With a few flaws such as the dubbing of the movie in Hindi, Kabali is just an average watch. Rajinikanth has tried his best to fit in his role of both an old man and a younger looking guy. He is able to reflect his anger and love through his acts. He being nostalgic, and revelation of his life through flashbacks are some of the best things to watch in the movie. However, he accomplishing his plans just sitting on a chair is a little too much. A little description in the storyline would have shed light into how these things come about. There are action scenes from the very beginning of the movie. How could there not be a scene with the hero fighting a group of villains, beating them till death in South Indian movies? Well plenty of such scenes in the movie, yet one is not satisfied with these scenes. Radhika Apte as Kabali’s wife is good. She is able to present herself as a loving and a caring wife. But her coming to normalcy from her mental illness immediately after seeing her husband isn’t realistic. Villains Winston Chao and Kishore are good in their roles. However, the director should have worked a little harder in the character of Chao. He could have at least had stronger dialogues and acts in the much expected Rajinikanth movie Kabali.