Endrendrum Thalaivar Superstar Rajinikanth - News & Updates

[mappi]

Baasha - The Master Script

The Movie Clock (part 2/2)



The second flashback occurs inside closed doors, and the voice of Manickam is muted while Baasha walks from the right corner of the screen and disappears through the left:



The thematic interpretation is constructed to contrast the similarities and differences between Manickam and Baasha. Through a mid-film twist, the revelation occurs in the story.

The flash back episode, the core plot of the film, it is revealed why Manickam entered into a world of crime, as well as, explains why he choose to exit to become a commoner. Manickam becomes Baasha and Baasha become Manickam in the flashback which is loaded with a flash forward non-standard linear narrative within.

I have already spoken about how colours used in the film build a harmony or tension within a scene while addressing Kabali (2016). The use of colour brings attention without the viewer being aware. It secretly receives a reaction from the viewer. There are many ways colours can influence a story, either by setting a tone to the film or draw focus to significant details or even represent particular character traits.

In Baasha, Red is used to show the arcs of the story.

When his brother asks him about his past, Manickam shuts the door [Note: every flash occurs beside a door - at the DIG Office, inside the college correspondent’s office; door is used as a portal between the present and the past] Manickam shuts the door behind him as though he is shutting himself from reality. The director brings up the Flashback - Baasha: The Tears of an Emperor - by painting Manickam's face red:





The tale shiftily begins with the introduction of Baasha walking out of his mansion (A faded building brightens up as the footsteps of Baasha echoes around) :



The previous shown dark images turn into silhouette while sweeping through the screen:





Baasha is revealed and is seen walking towards the viewer:



The Baasha story is a tricky narration - a flashback narrated as a linear storyline in a non-linear film, which contains a linear sequence within the flashback. Anwar story drops in as a memory of Baasha bent down on one knee at the cemetery before Anwar's tomb. The discourse in the current Flashback (notably with Baasha and Antony), suddenly turns into a monologue while opening the Anwar episode, where Baasha speaks in First Person while addressing Anwar as though he is speaking with the viewer (another direct communication extended from the screen). Rapid introductions to Rangasamy and Baasha's family members are made while establishing the friendship between Anwar and Manickam. After the mishap, Manickam is seen knelt on his right knee with his left hand on his left knee in front of Anwar's coffin - a position similar to the posture taken by Baasha in the principle flashback narrative at the cemetery before the tomb of Anwar: