Kabali is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by Pa. Ranjith and produced by Kalaipuli S. Thanu under V Creations.

[3][6] The film stars Rajinikanth, alongside Winston Chao, Radhika Apte, Sai Dhanshika, Kishore, Dinesh Ravi, Kalaiyarasan, John Vijay, Rosyam Nor, Nassar and Mime Gopi.

In the film, Kabali, an aged gangster released from prison, sets out to exact revenge on his rivals while searching for his wife Kumudhavalli and daughter Yogitha who were presumed dead.

[12] A Kuala Lumpur–based gangster Kabaleeswaran alias Kabali is released after spending 25 years in prison on a false charge of starting a massacre at a local temple that killed many, including his wife Kumudhavalli.

There, Kabali talks about his past and mentions how the Tamil community in general have the "Crabs in the bucket mentality" which was the reason to his downfall.

He immediately opposed, but relented where Tamilmaaran invited Kabali and a pregnant Kumudha for a temple function in Madurai as forgiveness.

Kabali then killed Tamilmaaran for his betrayal in front of a young Kumaran and was soon arrested on a false charge of instigating the massacre.

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 was brutally chopped to pieces after refusing to join Gang 43; they also had destroyed the Free Life Foundation School and started to control the Kuala Lumpur underworld, eliminating any gang who dared to oppose them.

One of the Free Life alumni, a youngster named Tiger, who is known to be aggressive and reckless, walks up to Kabali, with scenes showing him speaking to the police prior to the function.

[22] Soundarya Nandakumar, a television actress best known for her participation in Star Vijay's Airtel Super Singer 3, was chosen for a cameo appearance.

[32] and also obtained permission for shooting in the Hindu cemetery belonging to the management of Sri Subramaniar Temple located in Sepang on 4 November.

Rajinikanth joined the sets two days before the schedule on 2 November,[citation needed] where major portions of the film being shot at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Batu Caves and Bandar Sunway.

[48] Malik Streams Productions and Distribution, a Malaysian media company, will simultaneously release the film in Malay for exclusive screening in Malaysia alongside the original Tamil version.

[49] Kabali is the first Indian film to be released in Le Grand Rex in Paris, France, the world's largest movie hall which has a seating capacity of 2,000.

[70] The film's world television premiere took place on 15 January 2018, coinciding with Thai Pongal, one-and-half years after its release.

[citation needed] While Star India bought the rights for the film's dubbed Hindi,[71] Telugu and Malayalam versions.

[citation needed] The Indian Express reported that although the leaked copies were available only in the darknet, many fake links were being circulated in the web.

The makers of the film had approached Madras High Court in anticipation of piracy and had requested the authority to ensure that it does not happen.

Two days later, on 21 July 2016, a two-minute long sequence of the film was also leaked online, which subsequently went viral on an instant messaging app, WhatsApp.

[75] Commenting on the leak, producer Kalaippuli S Thanu said, "Watching Thalaivar entry on phone or computer won't give you goosebumps.

The News Minute reported that the sequence leak, which carried English as well as Arabic subtitles, could have been released from Gulf countries.

[77] The Malaysian version of the film proceeds beyond the fade to black and offers a concrete ending, stating that Kabali surrendered to the police.

This alternate ending was created at the behest of Film Censorship Board of Malaysia, which does not allow showcasing of policemen encouraging violence.

[98][99][100][101] Anupama Subramanian of Deccan Chronicle, rated 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "Kabali is an intelligent, noir-esque piece of cinema that is dark, broody, and measured.

"[102] The Indian Express rated the movie 3.5 out of 5 and said that, "Take away the dramatic script and lagging screenplay and Kabali is an unusual Rajinikanth film, which manages to combine the actor's mass appeal with a nuanced character.

"[104] Thinkal Menon from The Times of India rated 3 out of 5 stating "The story, perhaps, needed a tighter screenplay, but watch it for ‘Thalaivar athiradi’.

"[105] India Today rated 3 out of 5 stars stating "Kabali falls short of performance as far as the supporting cast is concerned.

[citation needed] The criticism from Malaysian Indians was largely directed at the inaccuracy in its portrayal of the racial tensions and dynamics in Malaysia.

Like the Tamil Indian community, the Chinese are also a minority in Malaysia and likewise disadvantaged by the government's pro-Malay majority policies, known as Ketuanan Melayu.

Racial tensions were much more rife between the politically-dominant Malays and the Chinese, who were in a more economically dominant position as business owners or urbanised blue-collar professionals.