Darbar movie review: Live audience's response

Rajinikanth and Nayanthara have teamed up for AR Murugadoss-directorial movie Darbar. The Lyca Productions-funded movie has the Tamil superstar playing the role of an unconventional cop, while Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty along with Prateik Babbar is the antagonist in the film. Nivetha Thomas, Yogi Babu, Thambi Ramaiah and others are part of the supporting cast.

The movie is bankrolled by Lyca Productions, which has 'funded many successful movies that include Rajinikanth's mega-budget flick 2.0. The film has Anirudh Ravichander's music, Santosh Sivan's cinematography and Sreekar Prasad's editing.

Story:

Rajinikanth enacts the role named Aadhithya Arunachalam, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, who is assigned to clean the city from the drug menace in Mumbai. He kills the people associated with it mercilessly to only draw the ire of human rights commission, but being a bad-ass cop, he knows how to escape from the situation even as he nabs Ajay Malhotra (Prateik Babbar), a major drug supplier.

Ajay Malhotra is the son of gangster Hari Chopra (Suniel Shetty), but he escapes from the jail and the super cop eliminates in a neatly-planned execution. In retaliation, Chopra kills the cop's daughter. What follows next is the cat-and-mouse game between the hero and the villain.

Analysis:

Rajinikanth is a phenomenon who could make an average story an enjoyable experience. Through his mannerisms and humour, the superstar has always impressed his fans. Darbar too is one such movie packed with action, comedy and dialogues. There are plenty of whistle-worthy scenes. The first half is brilliant and interval block is one of the best moments in the film. The second half struggles to hold the viewers' attention here and there.

Watch out for the father and daughter's moments. Rajinikanth, as always, shines. Nayanthara is wasted, but Nivetha Thomas has got a fantastic role. Suniel Shetty's characterisation is okay and people expected a lot better confrontation scenes between the hero and the villain. Anirudh's Chumma Kizhi and Thani Vazhi songs are our picks from the album. Santosh Sivan's cinematography is top class and special mention for the costume designers. What the audience's say about the Rajinikanth and Nayanthara-starrer? Find it out in the viewers' words below:

Rohit Venkatraman: #Darbar Complete Thalaivar & rockstar anirudh' show . Superstar looks very energetic on screen & his screen presence & charisma is unmatchable at this age. ARM sir expected a better end to the film. Special mention to
@i_nivethathomas for an excellent performance. Abv Avg - 3/5

Sridevi sreedhar: #Darbar Full marks to @Rajinikanth as he not only looks good and energetic but performs earnestly ! Minuses:Age old story, weak second half and villains, bad lip sync like a dubbed Hindi film! Comedy falls flat..Expected much more from @ARMurugadoss and team!

Haricharan Pudipeddi: #Darbar is no Petta but is elevated by a terrific #Rajinikanth who is in his element and makes this an engaging watch with his unmatchable screen presence. Some better writing would've made it work even more wholesomely.

Prashanth Rangaswamy: #DARBAR - Ok. Loved the portion of Yogi babu and Rajini sir. So enjoyable #Darbar

Sathish Kumar M: #Darbar Thalaivar energy level in action and dance scenes were Vera level. Thalaivar fans will go crazy for those scenes. It is usual cop revenge film. Villain Characterisation and second half could have been better.
#Darbar First Half - Interval block ends with our favourite dialogue from our Superstar. #Yogibabu comedy works. Expecting an engaging second half.
Superstar looks stylish and his romantic scenes with #Nayanthara was quite good.

KOLLYWOOD TALKS: #Darbar : Superstar's style and ARM's brains come together in very good fashion, there are hardly any dull moments so far. The mind-game narrative works well in the commercial format, lot of intelligence in the screenplay and it's very enjoyable!

Wetalkiess: #Darbar - it's hard to believe that rajini sir is 70 years old but looks stunning and his energy matches 25 years young man. This man is ageless . Undoubtedly the ruler of indian cinema . Gods gift to indian cinema super star #rajinikanth #ThalaivarDharisanam #DarbarFDFS

Ramesh Bala: #Darbar [3/5] : Dir #ARM screenplay Except pre-interval block falters..
Wish #Thalaivar Mass scenes are backed by substance..
@anirudhofficial BGM is Mass..
Watch it for #Thalaivar
#Darbar [3/5] : A feast for #Thalaivar fans..
#Superstar @rajinikanth swag and acting is a treat to watch..
@i_nivethathomashas done well..
#Darbar 1st Half : A Mad Police commissioner cleans up #Mumbai city crime syndicates in his own unique way.. #Thalaivar #Superstar @rajinikanth looks very young and his swag/Mass screen presence is the No.1 highlight.. Pre-interval block is intelligently executed. 

Sidhu: #Darbar: Of course, @anirudhofficial's score ups the ante in the action and mass episodes. The songs were just about alright, but what I liked the most was his work for the father-daughter angle, particularly in the second half - that tune could've been a separate track.
#Darbar: Murugadoss packs the first half with many interesting episodes and great use of starry mannerisms. But the absence of a strong villain and the format of Thuppakki come back haunting, only to be risen up by Superstar's swag and the nice little emotional arc!
#Darbar: Entertaining. Likable cat-and-mouse commercial outing from Murugadoss with Superstar Rajinikanth's marana mass performance. The second half is not as tight as the first, but this is a fair entertainer that does the job!
#Darbar Interval: Athiradi. Superstar's style and ARM's brains come together in very good fashion, there are hardly any dull moments so far. The mind-game narrative works well in the commercial format, lot of intelligence in the screenplay and it's very enjoyable!

S Abishek Raaja: It is always interesting to see how @ARMurugadoss manages to bring the 'not so popular' angle to current affairs. @rajinikanth as usual brimming with energy. @anirudhofficial's heavy metal version of #ThaniVazhi in the RR is killer. @iYogiBabu doesn't spare #Thalaivar

Rajasekar: Rajasekar: #Darbar-A commercial action potboiler with an enjoyable first half powered by enough swag & intelligence. Expected more brainy moments in the 2nd half but they played it to the gallery. To put it right,the film is #Thalaivar's one-man show. Watch it for the 70-year-old youngster
#Darbar - The second half to begin now. It's time for Superstar Rajinikanth vs Suniel Shetty game now. Bad cop vs the most wanted criminal in Mumbai.
#Darbar - Paisa Vasool entertainment so far from
@ARMurugadoss with his trademark brainy episodes and elevation sequences. Thalaivar steals the show all the way with his infectious energy level. Good!
#Darbar - Paisa Vasool entertainment so far from
@ARMurugadoss with his trademark brainy episodes and elevation sequences. Thalaivar steals the show all the way with his infectious energy level. Good!
#Darbar - The second half to begin now. It's time for Superstar Rajinikanth vs Suniel Shetty game now. Bad cop vs the most wanted criminal in Mumbai.