Director Pa. Rajinth's Telugu movie "Kabali," featuring superstar Rajinikanth, Radhika Apte and Dhansika in the lead roles, has received mixed reviews from the audience in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (AP/T).

Read: Kabali Review | Hindi Critics Review | Celebs Review

"Kabali" is a gangster drama film, which is high on emotional quotient. Besides directing the movie, Pa. Ranjith has also written its story and screenplay. The movie has been produced by Kalaipuli S Thanu under his banner V Creations. It revolves around the story of an aged gangster (Rajinikanth), who tries to protect his family and business from his enemies.

Read: 'Kabali' Shatters Bahubali, Sultan collection records in US premire

Viewers say Pa. Rajinth has penned an interesting script for "Kabali," which throws light on drug mafia and oppression of Tamil people in Malaysia. How the hero fights for the people forms the crux of the story. Telugu film goers say that this subject would be more appealing to Tamilians than others.

The beginning, interval and climax scenes are the highlights of "Kabali," but the rest of the movie suffers from slow and dragged pace of narration. Another big drawback is that the film lacks Rajinikanth's regular masala elements, which is a big disappointment for his fans, says the Telugu audience.

As usual, Rajinikanth has given a wonderful performance and his aura is the biggest highlight of "Kabali." Winston Chao, Radhika Apte, Dhansika, Dinesh Ravi, Kishore and Kalaiyarasan have done justice to their roles and their performances are the assets of the movie, say the film goers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Made on a whopping budget, "Kabali" has superb production values. Santhosh Narayanan's songs and background score, G Murali's cinematography, beautiful locales and a couple of action scenes are the attractions on the technical front. Lack of punchy dialogues and other mass elements and weak editing are the drawbacks, say critics.

We bring here some viewers' verdict shared on Twitter. Here is the live update of the "Kabali" review by Telugu audience:

Satyajith Ankareddy ‏@satyajithpinku

#Kabali : Rajnikant's Sardar Gabbar Singh Treat to fans and a bore fest for others. Except for Rajnikant screen Presence 1/3 Rajnikant styling, walking for every 10mins in slow motion, nothing good about this movie, very stupid narration & direction killed this. Even Rajnikant made us yawn during climax, avoid, stay at home, watch the teaser again and again. 2/5 #Kabali

Jalapathy Gudelli ‏@JalapathyG

#Kabali : What a disappointment! Rajinikanth is in great form but the story and direction is a huge letdown. Not manchidi. #Kabali: Is it Finding Valli? Gangs of Kuala Lumpur? Confused plot! #Kabali : There are traces of Dalit angst but they are not effectively handled except few dlgs about Gandhi/Ambedkar, wearing suits, etc.

Das C H ‏@chs_dass

#Kabali below average 1st half...Rajni style,attitude with solid Bgm given by santosh narayan holds the key...dhansika attitude was good. #Kabali OK 2nd half..good climax,while we are just watching the film for Rajnikanth..dhansika makes a special attraction to film,rocking bgm #Kabali don't expect anything new except for Rajnikanth and Dhansika performance.. outstanding Bgm given by Santosh Narayan.. average flick

Sangeetha Devi ‏@Sangeetha_Devi

Neruppu da, aana naduvula konjam sodhappalda. Oh my oh my! That inescapable underwhelming feeling! Mixed feelings. #Kabali Rajinikanth in super form, doesn't have to underplay his age for the most part. Radhika Apte, so good. The plot & storytelling? Why Ranjith? Good cinematography and background score. Big assets. As for the story of a do-gooder dons, I feel like re-visiting Nayakan and Thalapathy.

RJV ‏@RJV4U

#Kabali is a total disappointment...Story and screenplay were terrible...Rajini screen presence and Radhika is good..Ranjith missed it

♫CHANDU ♪ ‏@channdu

#Kabali is a well planned murder of a good story line and millions of people expectations! A huge disappointment. A proper execution and better screenplay could have saved the film. As you already have booked your tickets, you can't do anything about it & have to bear it!

Chandrakanth ‏@itschandrakanth

#Kabali 2.75/5 It's al abt Kabali & Family. Pa.Ranjith Strictly sticks to story.#Superstar Stylish Presence. Bgm No Punch Dialogues

Srikanth Reddy.A ‏@srikanth2828

#Kabali very flat screenplay it test's your Patience to the core.Highly Disappointed FLOP #Kabali only 2 positive Rajinikanth and BGM

Krish ‏@krangana

#Kabali half baked commie story -Rajini kinda of saved it. It's for kids or For Rajini Rasigargal

Akhilimz ‏@akhilimz

#Kabali Telugu has been started in USA #Kabali : Villains are dangerous & powerful which elevated the story line to different level, very good so far. #Kabali Interval: Good goods. Amazing mass startup, and then the emotions take over. Strong music and cinematography #Kabali : Breathtaking mass screenplay in second half. No emotion only heroism!! #KabaliDa #Kabali second half: MASS, MASS, MASS!! @superstarrajini at his best!! High pitch action avthar!! @beemji #Kabali second half: @superstarrajini dialogue to Villain about Tamilian attitude. #Goosebumps #Whistles #Kabali : Theri Mass screenplay by @beemji & @superstarrajini 's outstanding performance will make you to clap and whistle for every scene. #Kabali : Strongly connected to the hearts of Tamilians. Feast for #Thalaivar fans!!

HARI KIRAN ‏@harikiranroyal

#Kabali-Golden opportunity wasted by Pa.Ranjith. Very slow Nd Mediocre 1st half. This is not the Fans expect frm Rajini movies.#KabaliFDFS

Raj ‏@AlwaysRAAZ

Thalaiva is awesome with his trademark mannerisms and style throughout the movie.His screen Presence is amazing #Kabali daww Director Ranjith fails big time..watch it ONLY for Super Star's Screen Presence #Kabali

Chenna ‏@chenna_prince 4h4 hours ago

What What's Happening Never Expected Very Boring First Half Fully disappointed #Kabali #lingaa First Half >>>>>>>> #Kabali First Half Bad First Half Okay Second Half Watchable for #Rajini sirr & BGM #Kabali #BelowAverage

Venkyreviews ‏@venkyreviews

#kabali Rajinikanth gave an amazing performance. While the story was good, the screenplay was very bad and slow. Overall not a good movie. #Kabali tamil audience will like it more than telugu audience

Vinoth Sreehari ‏@VinothSreehari

#Kabali @superstarrajini characterization,Mass and styling is perfect ! Ppl who expect a power-packed mass movie will be disappointed.

Survi ‏@PavanSurvi

Still too soon for me to make any kind of definitive statement about #Kabali other than that it's falls inbetween #Brahmotsavam & #Anjaan. #Kabali felt like it was trying very hard to be a movie. What a waste of Rajinikanth.... Dissappointed

Nagaraja Reddy ‏@NagarajaReddyS

#Kabali daa.... 1st half Superb #Kabali I liked it very much. ☺ Ayana screen presence tho ne cinema motham mostaadu.... that is Super Star. Either it is Ranjith R Shankar, always ONE MAN SHOW. #Kabali.