Malay version 'Kabali' gives local audience new experience

The Malay version of the film has been playing to raving audience at certain cinemas since Thursday.

The action-packed film starring superstar Rajinikanth, gave a new perspective of Tamil movies to staunch fan, Zainal Abidin Mohamed, 26.

Despite having watched Kabali in its original language Tamil twice, Zainal Abidin was among the first to catch the Malay version.

"I was very excited to watch the movie. Overall it was a new experience even though it was a bit awkward to see Rajinikanth so fluent in the Malay language," he told Bernama.

For M.Siva, 38, the effort to dub Kabali in Malay should be lauded as it could attract more viewers from the Malay speaking audience to watch Tamil movies.

"However, it cannot be denied watching Kabali in the Tamil version gives more impact to me as the voice and style of speaking of a superstar such as Rajinikanth really has his own aura which could not be imitated by anybody," he said.

Meanwhile, Siti Nur Shahira Muhamad, 23, said she chose to watch the Malay version of the film as it helped her to understand the storyline better.

"I am also more inclined to watch Kabali after finding it was available in the Malay version as the dialogue which was in my mother tongue made it easier for me to understand the story without depending on the assistance of subtitles.

"I must admit, there were funny moments in the dubbed version with the terms and language used but it was effective in presenting the film on the overall," she said.

Kabali, which is the 159th movie featuring Rajinikanth, also starred popular local actors such as Datuk Rosyam Nor, Norman Hakim, Zack Taipan, Tony Kassim as well as Taiwanese actor, Winston Chao.

Local television host, V. Arun Kumaran was the voice behind the leading character in the film, who was a Malaysian gangster don acted by Rajinikanth, whose real name is Shivaji Rao.