Whatever one makes of it, one must give both Rajinikanth and Soundarya props for effort. If the film doesn’t work, it’s not for lack of trying. I’m going with two out of five for Kochadaiiyaan. This one’s strictly for fans.

Even Rajinikanth, the one and the only, can’t pick up a film and run with it, if it has the oldest, creakiest plots cobbled together from many books.

Kochadaiiyaan, alas, is a fundamentally flawed dud, one without anything to applaud besides grand (if self-glorifying) ambition. And little is as heartbreaking to witness as utterly failed ambition.

Hardcore Rajinikanth fans will enjoy the film once but the film lacks revisit option.

Conventional fans might find it a bit hard to worship their hero in this CGI avatar, but Kochadaiiyaan is a big bold step in opening new frontiers to film making, a step that deserves to be supported.

Kochadaiiyaan is ​​not the work of an amateur and I give Soundarya the credit for trying her hand in something so mid boggling as well as dangerous. The mere look at one of the exquisite war sequences​ convey the magnitude of her imagination, but the translation of the same into celluloid was half baked. Despite the story having a soul to it, the animation discrepancies suck it out from the film. IT doesn’t have the quaff value of Avatar but for the thumping effort alone, I am giving this film a 2.5/5. Probably the sequel Rana will have that unprecedented quality I am looking for.

Soundarya has stated in interviews that Kochadaiiyaan is her way to immortalize her father. Despite having two Rajinis in the film, she doesn’t succeed as the revenge action drama the film never quite engrosses you.

For all the technological risks that Soundarya has taken, the characters have come across as stiff. Moreover, their facial expressions alternate from cold to horrible. There is no life in the eyes either!

Though not up to the mark, this film has the capability to reach out the largest audience possible – all thanks to the presence of Rajinikanth. And for a country which still calls all animated films cartoon, Kochadaiiyaan could very well bring a change in perception.

Kochadaiiyaan might have taken a small step towards introducing Avatar-like technology into our lives, but it’s no giant leap. If you have blind faith and (obsessive) love for Rajinikanth and all things animation, you may enjoy this film. For others it may prove a battle to remain glued to your seats.

Many parallels can be drawn between commercial Indian cinema and conventional superhero sagas. Its beauty lies in the fact that they are inherently cartoonish at heart, often at the cost of relatability, without being boring or animated. Unfortunately, Kochadaiiyaan is both, and even Rajinikanth’s loyal fans will crave for the real thing.