Kaala has received a mixed reaction from critics but is being celebrated by fans. Starring Rajinikanth and directed by Pa Ranjith, the film speaks about the oppression faced by Dalit community in Mumbai’s sprawling slum, Dharavi. Dalit activist and MLA from Vadgam in Gujarat, Jignesh Mevani congratulated director Pa Ranjith for “challenging the established order” through the film.
“Watched Kala yesterday and felt that I am also a Kala. Very good film. Our brother @beemji (also director of Kabali) has come up with one more very good film challenging the established order in many subtle yet entertaining way. Proud of Pa. Ranjith,” Mevani wrote.
Terming Kaala “a brilliant cultural response to the Brahminical ideology”, Mevani also wrote an article in The Print. “Seeing Rajinikanth’s larger-than-life image, his political party and his recent remarks on the police firings on civilians in Thoothukudi, I have my reservations about whether his real life imitates art. But my faith lies in Pa. Ranjith the film-maker and his political narrative, rather than Rajinikanth’s,” he wrote in the piece.
{{/usCountry}}Terming Kaala “a brilliant cultural response to the Brahminical ideology”, Mevani also wrote an article in The Print. “Seeing Rajinikanth’s larger-than-life image, his political party and his recent remarks on the police firings on civilians in Thoothukudi, I have my reservations about whether his real life imitates art. But my faith lies in Pa. Ranjith the film-maker and his political narrative, rather than Rajinikanth’s,” he wrote in the piece.
{{/usCountry}}He further added, “I strongly believe that alternative cinema, where you can take the liberty to be who you really are, is important, but it sadly doesn’t reach the masses. With Kaala, the director has shown how one can use pro-poor subliminal messaging in the most commercial way. Art can never be fully separated from ideology, and he brings out his politics in latent ways, and I can only hope he continues to keep making movies.”
Kaala stars Nana Patekar as the antagonist, while Easwari Rao is cast opposite Rajinikanth. Samuthirakani plays a pivotal role.
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