Watch or Skip?
Watch it if you’re a Rajinikanth fan who enjoys vintage mass moments, grand production design, and a socially-charged period flashback.
Skip it if you want a tight screenplay, nuanced character arcs, or cutting-edge VFX.
My Rating: 3/5
Pros
- Rajinikanth’s charisma in two timelines
- A. R. Rahman’s sweeping background score
- The period portions have heart, scale, and purpose
- Strong social message on water rights and public welfare
Cons
- Patchy VFX and uneven pacing
- Predictable screenplay, especially in the present-day track
- Underused supporting cast
- Emotional highs don’t always land
Released on December 12, 2014, Lingaa was marketed as a grand, star-driven spectacle that fused mass cinema, period drama, and a socialist core. Directed by K. S. Ravikumar, and powered by A. R. Rahman’s score, the film promised Rajinikanth in dual roles—one rooted in dignity and sacrifice, and the other in swag and style. It’s ambitious, loud, and occasionally clumsy—but it has its heart in the right place.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
At its core, Lingaa tells the story of a village fighting for its right to water. In the present, a reluctant descendant (Rajinikanth) is pushed to reconnect with his heroic past. In the past, his forefather (also Rajinikanth) battles corrupt colonial forces and cynical officials to build a dam that will transform the lives of thousands.
Two timelines. Two Rajinikanths. One recurring conflict: public welfare vs power and greed.
Performances: Rajinikanth Keeps It Afloat
- Rajinikanth: The elder character in the pre-independence timeline is where he shines—measured, noble, and emotionally grounded. The modern conman-version of Rajini gives you the laughs and the swagger, but it’s the period Rajini who sticks.
- Sonakshi Sinha (Tamil debut): She holds her own in the rural portions, but her character lacks depth and agency.
- Anushka Shetty: Charismatic, but her role feels more like a narrative utility than a fully-etched character.
- Santhanam and the supporting comedians bring sporadic humor but are largely plugged in to soften the heavy drama.
- Villainy is serviceable but not menacing enough to leave a mark.
Direction & Screenplay: K. S. Ravikumar Plays to the Gallery
K. S. Ravikumar knows the Rajini formula well—big set pieces, punch dialogues, and clear moral binaries. But Lingaa struggles with rhythm. The present-day portions drag, the comedy detours dilute the stakes, and the emotional beats don’t always crescendo. The film aims for epic, but its screenplay feels stretched, especially post-interval.
Music & Technicals: A. R. Rahman Elevates, VFX Dips
- A. R. Rahman’s soundtrack isn’t his most iconic, but the background score gives gravitas to the period drama and emotional sequences. Tracks like “En Mannava” (if you remember it) fit the film’s rousing, royal tone.
- Cinematography (notably the sweeping shots of dams, valleys, and colonial-era settings) is lush and lends visual weight.
- VFX is where the film noticeably stumbles, especially in the climax. The ambition is huge, the output—not quite there.
- Editing could have been tauter. Several sequences overstay, undercutting momentum.
Themes & Symbolism: Water, Welfare & Legacy
- Water rights & social justice: The dam is more than a structure; it’s a symbol of public-good infrastructure vs corruption and private greed.
- Legacy & identity: The modern hero’s arc is about finding purpose in his lineage. The film’s emotional core lies in how the past informs the present.
- Unsung heroes: Like many Tamil films rooted in social commentary, Lingaa celebrates sacrifice over recognition, reminding us that history often forgets those who built it.
Related Films & Resonances
If you liked the mix of mass + social message in Rajini’s Sivaji (2007) or the rooted emotional arcs in older classics like Muthu (1995), you’ll see familiar DNA here. But Lingaa is less slick than Sivaji and less emotionally resonant than Muthu.
Audience Reception & Box Office
- Critics were split—many praised the period flashback and Rajinikanth’s presence but took issue with screenplay bloat and underwhelming CGI.
- Fans enjoyed the mass moments, punch lines, and the elder Rajini’s dignity.
- Box Office: It opened big on Rajini’s superstardom but underperformed against sky-high expectations and production costs.
Lingaa vs Expectations: The Hype Problem
The promos promised a massive Rajini comeback with grandeur, modern tech, and social depth. What we got was a half-solid, half-wobbly entertainer. The film is ambitious in theme, traditional in storytelling, and uneven in execution. It’s not a disaster, not a classic—just a mixed bag with memorable flashes.
Best Scenes & Biggest Letdowns
Best Scenes
- The dam planning and public hearings—emotional and ideologically strong.
- The elder Rajini’s confrontations—pure star power anchored in ethics.
- The background score elevating the flashback portions.
Letdowns
- The climax stunt sequence—ambitious, but the VFX breaks immersion.
- Comedy detours in the present-day track.
- Predictability in the screenplay—beats you can see coming a mile away.
Final Verdict
Lingaa is a throwback Rajinikanth vehicle—a blend of melodrama, social message, and star charisma—that works in parts, especially in the period narrative. If you go in for Rajini, for the emotional arc of public welfare, and for A. R. Rahman’s score, you’ll find value. If you want a tight, modern, post-2010s Tamil screenplay with sharp edges, you’ll feel the drag.
Score: 3/5
Quick FAQ (People Also Ask)
Is Lingaa based on a true story?
Not directly, but it borrows thematically from real issues around dam construction, public welfare, and political corruption in India.
Who directed Lingaa?
K. S. Ravikumar, who has previously collaborated with Rajinikanth on films like Muthu and Padayappa.
Is Lingaa worth watching today?
If you’re a Rajinikanth fan or enjoy mass films with a social message, yes. If you expect tight writing and flawless VFX, it might not satisfy you.
How is A. R. Rahman’s music in Lingaa?
The songs are a mixed bag, but the background score delivers emotional heft, especially in the period portions.
How was Lingaa’s box office performance?
It had a big opening but underperformed compared to the expectations set by its budget and Rajinikanth’s star power.
