Let's set the record straight first. Billa 2007 is a faithful not like don. It's adaptation of Rajini's 1981 classic of the same name. If you come to the movie expecting Ajith to do a Rajini, then you won’t like it. This is a complete Ajith show with a totally different viewing experience.
The story is same as in the original Billa. The elusive don David Billa (Ajith) is accidentally killed by the police assistant commissioner Jai Prakash (Prabhu) while trying to capture him alive. So, he changes a petty thief Velu (Ajith), a Billa look alike into Billa to get inside information of Billa's gang and capture them all. Velu successfully infiltrates Billa's gang. Just when the gang and its mysterious chief, Jagadeesh (Rahman) was about to be captured, Prabhu is killed by Jagadeesh. Velu is caught in an identity crisis. He has to survive both the police who think he's Billa and his gang who by now knows that he's not Billa. He has to trust a girl who tries to assassinate him, Sasha (Nayanthara) to reveal his identity and capture the mysterious chief. How he successfully accomplishes the two tasks forms the climax.
Ajith as David Billa is stunning. He has lived the role of a don. He is stylish in his looks and brutal in his actions. His killing of a leaving gang member and his girlfriend were proof of his brutality. Ajith in his Armani suits, Ray Ban glasses and cars (BMW, Jaguar etc) looks dashing. He does negative roles with relative ease which most will agree takes more than a smile. Ajith as Velu could have done better. There will be inevitable comparisons of Rajini's comic relief as Rajappa compared to Velu. Ajith's incompetence in comic scenes shows here. But his overall screen presence is amazing.Nayanthara's transformation from a chubby actress to a slim, sexy babe is stunning. She looks out of the world for a Tamil actress with her bold & sexy looks though she does remind you of tomb raider. Namitha as the second heroine fits the bill of a gangster's lover. Prabhu as the police commissioner and Rahman as the Interpol officer & Jagadeesh showed their maturity.
The movie's high points were many. The overall outlook of the films is stunning and cinematographer Nirav Shah need a special mention for giving the viewers a never before seen viewing experience. Stunts sequences were choreographed with a touch of reality to it. The car chase scene needs a special mention with no over the moon flying of cars, though it reminds you of Fast & Furious - Tokyo Drift. Costume designing needs a special mention. Anu Vardhan has really worked hard to give the stylish looks for not just Ajith, but for every actor in the movie. The use of cars and weapons were all up to the point.
On the flip side Velu's character could have coiled better. He lacks the comic flair that is associated with his character. The transition of Velu to Billa is so fast, that you wonder you wonder how his gang believes him. Song choreography is a let down. Blame it on his spinal surgery, but Ajith's performance in the two fast paced song sequences (Vethalaya Pottendi & Seval Kodi) were less than impressive. Even his usual energetic face expressions were missing in the Seval Kodi song. Screenplay of the movie could have been a lot faster. It creates a boring atmosphere which many would not welcome.
Yuvan Shankar Raja has done well in the background score for the movie but could have done well in the songs, given his proven track record, especially with Vishnuvardhan.
Vishnuvardhan has done well to recreate a movie that still remains as one of superstar's best and done so with aplomb. He did not try to recreate Rajini's magic. Instead he has let Ajith bring his own power packed performance to the forte. This is a movie with a totally new experience. If you try to compare this with the original, then you may not like it. Dialogues were all up to the point. But the director could not help but steal a famous dialogue from the Italian Job where Charlize Theron says, "I trust you... I just don't trust the devil inside you"... Does that ring a bell? It fits the movie though. The Director's use of latest technology and gadgets were applaudable, especially cars and suits. His choice of locations needs a special mention too. He brings to you a feel that Tamil movies are changing for the good. Actions movies getting critical acclaim is a rarity. This could well break that trend by being a critically acclaimed film as well, along with commercial success. It takes more than a smile to recreate a blockbuster film that had a superstar at his best. Special salutes to both Vishnu and Ajith for making this happen. Overall, Billa 2007 is a faithful recreation of Billa. Forget Rajini and you’re in for a totally different and refreshing experience.
