Baba

“Baba” (2002) by Suresh Krissna fantasy meets action flick in this supernatural action drama. It features Rajnikanth and Manisha Koirala in the main roles, with Amrish Puri appearing in a special role. The film centres around Baba, an atheist that goes out of his way to prove to everyone that there is, in fact, no god. When fate suddenly bestows upon him god-like powers, he jumps at the opportunity to be a force for good, wielding his newfound abilities to protect and elevate those around him, especially the citizens of his home state.

From its opening sequences, the film takes a radical approach to oriented speculative fiction and storytelling as a whole. The film follows Baba, a man who has reincarnated from a saint but starts life over as an atheist, leading a life of crime and debauchery. He eventually gets caught up in the conflict caused by his subversive work, most notably with a trumplike politician and opportunist, destroying his neighbourhood. Baba dreams of restoring it but enlists under intense internal conflict, particularly with Chamundeswari, who he ends up dumping after acknowledging his commitments on multiple fronts.

Upon meeting a sadhu, Baba is given seven mantras that he can use for selfish purposes but realizes the consequences of selfish use. Over the course of the story, Baba finally receives spiritual redemption, deriving the inner strength to not abuse his power for selfish gain. Finally, his decision to remain in Tamil Nadu to lead his people following his mother’s assassination, even as fresh challenges threaten to overwhelm them, provides a moving capstone to the film. In the re-release, Baba is forced to learn that serving his mother is key, and must go through a cycle of reincarnation.

“Baba” mixes spiritual themes with social commentary. In the titular role, Rajinikanth gives a magnetic and multifaceted performance as a hard-nosed, cynical, atheist businessman who, endowed with quasi-divine powers, re-emerges as a better person who slowly matures into a selfless leader. "Baba" has grown in appreciation over the years for its themes and Rajinikanth’s magnetic screen presence, resulting in a profoundly moving film that remains deeply resonant.