Kabali is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language gangster-drama film written and directed by Pa. Ranjith and produced by Kalaipuli S. Thanu. The film revolves around the gang war between Kabaleeswaran (played by Rajinikanth) and Tony Lee (portrayed by Winston Chao). Radhika Apte, Dhansika, Dinesh Ravi, Kalaiyarasan, and John Vijay also star in pivotal roles. Principal photography for the film began on 21 August 2015 in Chennai. While filming mostly occurred in Malaysia, smaller scenes were shot in Bangkok and Hong Kong.
A Kuala Lumpur–based don Kabaleeswaran alias Kabali (Rajinikanth) is released after spending 25 years in prison on a false charge of starting a massacre at a local Hindu temple that killed many, including his wife Kumudhavalli alias Kumudha (Radhika Apte). He immediately resumes charge of his old gang and soon confronts Loganathan alias Loga (Mime Gopi), a drug smuggler. Loga insults Kumudha, saying that she would have been sold into prostitution had she been alive. In retaliation, he rams his car into Loga, killing him; however, the incident makes him believe that his wife may be still alive. Later that night, Kabaleeswaran survives an assassination attempt by Tamizh Kumaran alias Kumaran (Kalaiyarasan), whose father Tamilmaaran (Charles Vinoth) was killed by him when he was a young boy. The next day, at a function organised by the Free Life Foundation School, a school started by Kabali’s friend Ameer (John Vijay) to reform youngsters involved in criminal activities, Kabali talks about his past.
Kabali was the protege of Tamilmaaran’s father Tamilnesan (Nassar), a don who fought for the rights of the Tamil Malaysians. Tamilnesan was killed by Veerasekaran alias Veera (Kishore), who was also a part of Tamilnesan’s gang, but disliked his rules such as not involving in illegal activities like drug smuggling and prostitution. Following Tamilnesan’s death, Kabali took charge of his gang. But Veera manipulated Tamilmaaran by telling him that he, being Tamilnesan’s son, should lead the gang and not Kabali. Tamilmaaran invited him and a pregnant Kumudha for a temple function. However, this was revealed to be a trap as Veera and his men confronted Kabali and Kumudha at the function. In the ensuing scuffle, Kabali was brutally attacked while Kumudha was shot and seemingly killed. He then killed Tamilmaaran for his betrayal in front of a young Kumaran and was soon arrested on a false charge of instigating the massacre.
Kumaran, after hearing Kabali’s speech, realises his mistake and apologises to him. He tells him that Velu, one of Veera’s henchmen who was present at the temple massacre, is aware that Kumudha is still alive and had given birth to a baby girl after the massacre. Kabali then leaves for Thailand, where Velu is residing. On confronting Velu, he learns that his daughter is still alive. At this juncture, Kabali is confronted by Yogi (Dhansika), a contract killer hired by Veera and his boss Tony Lee alias Tony (Winston Chao), who heads the rival Gang 43 in Kuala Lumpur, to eliminate Kabali. But Yogi instead kills the men who had come with her and reveals herself to Kabali as his daughter, who had been raised by Velu. She also tells him that Kumudha is still alive and is living with a French family in Puducherry. He and Yogi then leave for Puducherry, where they reunite with Kumudha and spend a few days with her there.
Kabali and his family soon return to Kuala Lumpur, where he is told that Ameer has been severely injured in a car accident set up by Tony; his henchman Jeeva (Dinesh) was brutally chopped to pieces by Tony after refusing to join the Gang 43; and the Gang 43 had destroyed the Free Life Foundation School and started to control the Kuala Lumpur underworld, eliminating any gang who dared to oppose them. On hearing all this, he decides to finish Veera and Tony once and for all. He and his family attend the 100th birthday party for a respected Malaysian don Ang Lee, who had invited all gangs, including the Gang 43. At the party, Kabali starts a shootout with the help of Kumaran, which ends with him killing Veera and Tony.
Some months later, Kabali, Kumudha and Yogi attend a function organised by the Free Life Foundation. One of the Free Life alumni, a youngster name Tiger (‘Johnny’ Hari), who is known to be aggressive and reckless, walks up to him, with scenes showing him speaking to the police prior to the function. The screen cuts to black, and the sound of a gun clicking and a gunshot afterwards is heard.
Directed by Pa. Ranjith
Produced by Kalaipuli S. Thanu
Written by Pa. Ranjith
Starring Rajinikanth, Winston Chao, Radhika Apte
Music by Santhosh Narayanan
Cinematography G. Murali
Edited by Praveen K.L
Production V Creations
Distributed by Gemini Film Circuit
Release dates 22 July 2016
Running time 152 minutes
Country India
Language Tamil
