This Rs. 65-crore extravaganza is all style with very little substance. This A.V.M. production may have set the cash registers ringing, but the film storyline falters and the antics of the aging on-screen hero of millions tends to get on your nerves.
This film is merely a jamboree of Rajnikant's popularity among the masses. The film begins with Rajini (Sivaji) returning from the U.S. with head full of heady ideals and bank account that is bursting with dollars. He plans to construct hospitals, medical colleges, factories for the poor.
The villain of the piece is Suman (Adikesavan), a deep-pocketed and politically well connected businessman who owns several hospitals and educational institutions. Suman is convincing as the powerful Adikesavan who initially attempts to use suave methods to convince Sivaji to reconsider his projects, fearing that Sivaji's "free medical treatment and educational opportunities-for-all" might dent his personal profits.
Rajini's love interest is the nymphet, Shreya, (Tamilselvi). He falls for the girl at first-sight and continues to woo her in the midst of fights, mayhem and half-a-dozen songs shot in magnificent rustic expanse and expensive studio sets.
The songs by A.R. Rahman (save for the one unintelligible one with a "fair & lovely" Rajini) are foot-tapping. The film falters right from the beginning when a reluctant Rajini pays crores as bribe to various department officials for getting a government approval for the construction of buildings. However, Suman affects a change in the government! The new government withdraws the G.O of the previous government!!!! (Didn't know G.O.s could be canceled).
The saving grace is Rajini's cousin, played by Vivek. His cheeky comments and antics keeps the first half of the film alive but the director takes it too far in the scenes where Sivaji's entire family go bride-hunting to Shreya's house where they are repeatedly insulted and asked to leave the house.
The song of "white" Sivaji and the comedy scene where Vivek and Rajini first gain entry to Shreya's house as electoral officials could have been avoided. Some of the wigs worn by the hero during some of his excruciating jigs, appear out-of-place. The song sequence where CGI graphics was reportedly used to make Rajini "white" too appears inane. The second half comes to life with Rajini's usual punch dialogs.
But then again, attempts to use wire-frame technology (that has been mastered by Hollywood film makers) for fight sequences appears too amateurish. The stunt doubles appear to float in air rather than get thrown around when punched by Rajini! The fight sequences appear to be scene inspired by the Tom & Jerry cartoon show rather than serious business of blood and broken bones.
Another point that has been overlooked is that the film depicts corrupt officials, businessmen and politicians to be a complete bunch of morons! Most of the black money is stashed in rice mills under sacks of rice, under roof tiles (last scene), papers, pots and pans, packed in plastic bags in wells, under dried cow dung.... (Yuck!!!) (And I thought Indians were well versed with concepts of e-banking and bank locker facilities??)
The film with massive sets and impressive costumes and galaxy of stars has been considered the most expensive Indian film ever made. But it just overlooked one small detail - the producer apparently failed to invest enough money and time in the storyline.
Overall the film is no where near the standards set in Batcha or Padayappa. Raghuvaran, Solomon Papaya, Chinni Jayanth, and few other comedians make their guest appearance.
Sivaji - The Boss is a film that has style but is devoid of logic.
