I'm a die-hard Rajinikanth fan and Kabali left me floored

There is always a sense of triumph when you get a ticket for any show on the first day of a Rajinikanth release.

Being a Rajini fan, I definitely had it in plenty. The crowd goes into frenzy as Rajinikanth appears on screen. The background score complements it.

The film starts with Rajini's release from a Kuala Lumpur jail as he stylishly flips the book My Father Baliah, does a couple of chin ups, wears his trademark bracelet and shrugs on his blazer. And there, he walks with that typical "Baasha" type gait as the prison gates slide open with a slow motion effect.

Flashes of "Malai Da" dialogue from the movie Annamalai crossed my mind. Though I would say the pace was slower, naturally corresponding with his age.

Also read: Superstar Rajinikanth's Kabali left me disappointed

The scenes that follow set the context of how he is one of the unbeatable dons with an arch rival Tony Lee (played by Winston Chao), who, along with his goons, is responsible for killing his "family".

Our Kabali sets out to seek revenge, and in the process, discovers that his family is still alive. How does he get back his family fighting Lee forms the rest of this story. Predictable it is, but I liked the game of who is on whose side and who will suddenly change sides.

I was feeling a bit let down with no punch dialogues to whistle for, but at the same time, was in awe of just that one word that he repeatedly uses - "Magizhchi".

Similarly, there is no introductory song of his that highlights his fiery personality.

Not even "Neruppu Da". But I was glad the slow romantic songs were used as part of the background score ensuring it didn't become the "drag factor".

Also read: Don't go by reviews, 5 ultimate reasons to watch Kabali

There is no Rajini mannerism like the way he would flick his finger in Baasha for "oru dharava sonnaa, nooru dharava sonnaa maadhiri" or salute in the movie Padayappa, but his laughter each time or his Nambiyar dialogue left you delighted.

Yet, one of the biggest let downs was the scene where Kabali cries when he gets to know the truth about his family. I would say Radhika Apte acted far better when she cried. It left me wondering how director Mani Ratnam made Rajinikanth "cry" in the film Thalapathy.

Director Pa Ranjith and his team definitely have some style.

The slow motion effects in the right places (especially when Kabali sees his daughter), the carefully-choreographed stunt sequences (especially when he unexpectedly pulls out a weapon from his sleeve), and the tailor-made jump suits (especially when he dusts them off after punching his enemies)... Am I looking for a Rajini movie, or should I look at it as a Ranjith film?

The superstar makes a reference to a Vadivelu comedy in the film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (meaning I am a rowdy too). I walked out of the theatre feeling "Naanum Rajini Fan Dhaan".