Puli an epic fantasy

Vijay's new film with Sridevi is an action adventure with an element of mystique, writes Deepa Gauri

DIRECTOR SS RAJAMOULI'S Baahubali has set the bar high and that is the single biggest challenge actor Vijay will have to face as his movie Puli releases this week worldwide.
The multi-starrer action adventure fantasy, as the makers describe it, has created a buzz on YouTube with its trailers reaching a phenomenal 7 million and counting hits.
Laden with special effects, the film has weaved mystique around it with speculation on how many roles Vijay is playing (while it is a confirmed two, there is talk of a 'diminutive' version of the actor in a third role), and what is the true nature of Sridevi's role in her magnificent return to Tamil cinema (notwithstanding the partially re-shot English Vinglish version).
After all, Sridevi had reportedly turned down Baahubali to be part of the movie directed by Chimbu Devan, and it marks her return to Tamil 'original' cinema after nearly 30 years. She was last seen in Naan Adimai Illai, opposite Rajnikanth, in 1986.
Sridevi has said she was excited to be part of the movie, more so for its fantasy element, and reportedly had to wear costumes weighing over 20 kg in her role as a queen.
Puli also stars Sudeep, who was also seen in Baahubali. He plays an oppressive tyrant. As far as one-liners go, the film is all about Vijay, a happy-go-lucky guy who finds himself having to travel back in time to save a queen from the tyrant.
In doing so, he has to address countless obstacles including witchcraft and supernatural powers, not to mention having to talk to friendly tortoises and fight panthers.
In the mode of mainstream entertainment, he also gets to romance two damsels in distress - played by Shruti Hassan and Hansika Motwani, and gyrate with them both to tunes set by Devi Sri Prasad. An accomplished singer, Vijay has also crooned a melody.
But what can audiences really expect from Puli? The director has but one request - and that is not to compare the movie with Baahubali. After all, it has been shot at about half the cost of Baahubali, although Rs118 crore is still a significant sum for a Tamil film.
But then Vijay being a hot favourite among audiences, recovering the first Rs100 crore does not look like a Herculean task. After all, of the top 10 most-collected movies in south India, he owns two, Kaththi and Thuppakki.
Despite his mega-star status now and his 'filmy' connection (his father is a film producer and director), Vijay can take credit for making it big the hard way. Edging his way into the romantic hero spot and then venturing into action, he has delivered a string of not-so-successful films too such as Villu and Sura.
Post-2010, he reinvented his image, opted for script-backed movies and has since then built a remarkable success graph, despite movies such as Jilla and Thailava offering nothing new.
His star charisma will be tested with Puli, given that fantasy movies are evaluated on many counts, most importantly special effects. After Baahubali, the audiences will expect nothing but the best.
That could be one reason that Chimbu Devan asserts the film is a family entertainer and no expense has been saved to ensure that Vijay gets the 'mass entry' his fans expect. It is said that the actor's entry song was shot on a budget of Rs5 crore.
But then, Chimbu Devan is no stranger to fantasies - and that could be the trump card of the movie. He has effectively balanced comedy with fantasy through movies such as Imsai Arasan 23M Pulikesi with comedian Vadivelu on the lead.
Formerly a cartoonist with a leading Tamil magazine, he says that what distinguishes Puli from his earlier fantasies is that he is doing the same genre with a superstar. His audience is children and has framed many scenes that will have them in splits.
Puli has received tremendous opening bookings in India and overseas, and is being released in Hindi and Telugu versions.
Plans are afoot to have the film released in Chinese and Japanese too.
The question then is, will Puli give Vijay the nation-wide fame that often evades South Indian actors? The answer could come later: Right now, it is all about bagging the Rs118 crore first and counting the profits.

• South Stars