Fans and industry divided over Rajini’s look in Rana

May 3, 2011 - 6:00 AM IST

'First impression is the last impression' and so goes the clichÃ©. It has started reflecting even more on the fortunes of movies, what with the First Look posters pretty much sealing the fate of a film. Unfortunately though this doesn't seem to be working in favour of Rajinikanth's Rana which hasn't resulted in many swooning over the film's poster that has just been unveiled, what with industry and fans divided over it.

Fans and industry divided over Rajini’s look in Rana

Says a prominent filmmaker on condition of anonymity (for just the right reasons), "Is this really THE Rajinikanth film that was being promised all this while? It seems so 80s in its look. Agreed that 'masala' films are back in vogue but even these films are being innovative when it comes to presentation of their lead actors. Look at the poster design of films like Dabangg/Ready (with Salman) and Yamla Pagla Deewana (Deols) and you would know what I mean."

The poster of Rana shows Rajinikanth standing tall in a warrior's costume and seems to be an out and out photo-shop job with the man made to look leaner and in the best of physique. Not that this is not a trend with other actors as well but in case of Rajinikanth, it is up for scrutiny even more as the man is expected to stand tall when compared to the rest. In fact some have equated Rana to being a B-grade 'masala' pot-boiler.

"Well, only pea sized brains can make accusations like these", says a college student who is an ardent Rajini fan, "Let me tell them that such talks don't really matter for those who want to watch his films on the big screen. Even Robot was said to be B-grade by many and its VFX was termed as tacky and below-par just on the basis of its promos. Well, let the fact be told that this so-called B-grade film is today not only the highest grosser film of all times worldwide but has also left behind our very own A-grade all time blockbuster 3 Idiots which starred the perfectionist Khan."

Trade has a different thought though. "I am disappointed, really", says a trade analyst, "After Robot I expected him to scale further heights but Rana just doesn't seem to be standing out from many other films coming from down South. Actually to tell you honestly, it seems like a hurried job as the makers perhaps wanted to release the First Look to coincide with the mahurat of the film. It may just be a rush design and I don't see this making it to the final cut around the release of the film."

"Come on, do you think we fans would be deterred by anything like this? The film is still about a year ahead", another fan adds, "This is just a start and I am sure Rajini has much more to show in months to come."

Well, when Rajini fans come together, one can hardly argue anymore, right?