‘Petta’ Trailer Reaction: Rajinikanth Back to 90s Form

It’s going to be a Petta Pongal in Tamil Nadu come January 2019. Rajinikanth’s new flick, directed by Karthik Subbaraj and starring Vijay Sethupathy, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Simran, Trisha and Bobby Simha promises to deliver. Here’s my reaction to the trailer.

The Punch and Style are Back!

It’s been a while since Rajinikanth played the ‘Superstar’ on screen. Right from Sivaji (2007) to Endhiran (2010), to Kabali (2015) to Kaala (2016) to 2.0 (2018), Rajinikanth has played multiple avatars, each distinct. But none of them have truly catered to the masses like his films from the 90s.

That there have been no punch dialogues worth mentioning or mouthing for over a decade in a Rajini film, it’s both a measure of Rajinikanth’s sheer courage in experimenting; and a kind of a let-down for die-hard fans, who expect ‘that something’ on screen.

Petta’s trailer offers all of these;

A form of sweet nostalgia beginning with the superstar’s look of the 90s; and three wholesome punch dialogues that stay with you. What started with Baasha, Muthu and Arunachalam reached the zenith with Padayappa (1999), the character of the superstar ‘Thalaiva’.

‘Sirappaana, tharamaana sambavangala inimethaan parkapora’ (you’re about to see special, top notch scenes).

And right after that dialogue, Rajinikanth beats up some bad guys in a fight sequence beautifully choreographed by Peter Hein, a mainstay of fights in Kollywood and Tollywood cinema.

Petta’s trailer promises a fresh dose of much needed nostalgia. It seeks to revive that superstar of the 90s capable of no wrong, capable of brilliant comedy and superb fights. And of course, the Punch dialogue.

The Ensemble

Vijay Sethupathi and Nawazuddin Siddiqui as anatagonists.

Simran and Trisha as female leads.

Bobby Simha and Sasikumar adding ‘character’ to the arc.

Each of them are lead actors, capable of handling their own films. In fact, they all have hit films to their credit, and a loyal fan following across the state. The casting clearly points the way to the only foregone conclusion; One Thalaiva to Rule them All.

Petta’s trailer promises a feel good, non-serious, heavy-message-free entertainer that goes well with Pongal’s festive feel. It’s a Rajini film that fans have been waiting for, for over a decade.