She is sometimes in the news headlines for some of the wrong reasons, but there is no denying her acting chops or her brilliant screen presence. Any film starring Kangana Ranaut invites attention and with good reason. When that film is about one of the most formidable Indian politicians ever, J Jayalalithaa, that interest becomes ever more avid. Recently the teaser trailer of Thalaivi – a film where Ranaut plays the late Jayalalithaa – dropped:
The film stars Kangana Ranaut as Thaliavi (meaning leader) and Arvind Swami as M. G. Ramachandran and is directed by A. L. Vijay The film will be released on 26th June 2020 simultaneously in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The teaser trailer was released on 23rd November 2019.
J Jayalalithaa was a legend in her own lifetime; an eventful and tumultuous life. Few receive the sort of love and adulation that she did first as an actor and then as a political leader.
A lot of people think that the teaser is very impressive and are looking forward to seeing Ranaut on the big screen in a compelling story about an extraordinary life.
Many thought that Ranaut looks very convincing and authentic in her avatar as the late Jayalalithaa.
The makeup and prosthetics seem unconvincing felt a lot of the tweeple.
Versus reality
I don’t know about ET, but in some shots, Ranaut looks more like a plastic mannequin than an actual person.
Many thought that the strangely bland, smooth look resembled a wax statue. One commentator even thought that she looked like painted wheat dough.
Some were reminded strongly of Kamal Haasan’s role in the film Chachi 420.
Ranaut looks unconvincing they thought.
There were those who remembered that a film of director Vijay had been banned during Jayalalithaa’s time and suggested that the unrealistic portrayal is perhaps deliberate.
Some thought that the actor bore a certain resemblance to some spud in a bad mood.
The resemblance to a cartoon character from a kid's series.
…from Chhota Bheem
Some of the tweeple thought that Aishwarya Rai would have been a better fit for the role.
Some were reminded of Monica from Friends in a flashback.
Many of the tweeple thought that Jayalalithaa herself would be pretty upset with the way she is portrayed.
This commentator gives the example of the Sonic Hedgehog and how social media trends forced filmmakers to change the look of that character. They hope that the pushback against Ranaut’s look in the first look poster and teaser of Thalaivi will have a similar impact.
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