Rajinikanth’s 2018 film Kaala, directed by Pa Ranjith, has been honoured by the British Film Institute (BFI) by being included in their prestigious "Films of the Century" list. This Tamil socio-political drama now stands alongside esteemed global cinematic works such as Artificial Intelligence (2001), Divine Intervention (2002), and Old Boy (2003).

This accolade was announced in the BFI's Sight and Sound Summer Issue 2024, positioning Kaala among globally acclaimed films like Artificial Intelligence, Old Boy, and Divine Intervention. The BFI stated, “In 2024, marking a quarter of the way into the 21st century, Sight and Sound magazine has commemorated this milestone by consulting 25 critics. Each critic was tasked with nominating a film that holds significant cultural value within our current cinematic era. These films are considered candidates for inclusion in a time capsule, meant for cinephiles of the 22nd century and beyond to appreciate. They represent both the essence and pinnacle of cinematic achievement from the years 2000 to 2024.”



Despite this prestigious recognition, Kaala faced significant controversies upon its release. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce banned the film following Rajinikanth's statements supporting Tamil Nadu's stance in the Kaveri River water dispute during the 2018 protests. Pro-Kannada activists vandalized the film distributor's office in Karnataka, prompting legal intervention. Additionally, the film encountered bans in Norway and Switzerland after Rajinikanth labeled the protestors of the Thoothukudi violence as "anti-social elements."

The inclusion of Kaala in BFI's list is a significant achievement for Indian cinema, particularly Tamil films. Besides Rajinikanth, the film features an ensemble cast including Nana Patekar, Eswari Rao, Huma Qureshi, Samuthirakani, and Pankaj Tripathi.

Source / Image Credit : Newsbytesapp, Times Of India