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{{Short description|2002 film by Suresh Krissna}}
{{Use dmy dates|date= March 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Baba 2002 poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Suresh Krissna]]
| screenplay = [[Rajinikanth]]
{{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes
| label1= Dialogues by
| data1 = Gopu-Babu [[S. Ramakrishnan]]
}}
| story = Rajinikanth
| producer = Rajinikanth
| starring = Rajinikanth [[Manisha Koirala]]
| cinematography = [[Chota K. Naidu]]
| editing = [[V. T. Vijayan]]
| music = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| studio = [[Rajinikanth|Lotus International]]
| distributor = Lotus International [[PVR Pictures]] [[V. Nagaraj|SV VVK Pictures]] (Malaysia)<ref name="TNST">{{cite web |title=A tame comeback in ‘Baba’|work=[[The New Straits Times]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6G8rAAAAIBAJ&dq=V.+Nagaraj&pg=PA21&article_id=1443,3082149|page=Entertainment 5|access-date=17 March 2026}}</ref> [[Lyca Productions]] (Re-release)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lycaproductions.in/distribution/baba-re-release/|title=Baba (Re-release)|date=2024|work=[[Lyca Productions]]|access-date=17 March 2026}}</ref>
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2002|8|15|ref1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anand |first=S. |date=26 August 2022 |title=Bhagwan Rajni |url=https://magazine.outlookindia.com/story/bhagwan-rajni/216985 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190328052001/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/bhagwan-rajni/216985 |archive-date=28 Mar 2019 |access-date=26 November 2024 |website=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]}}</ref>}}
| runtime = 178 minutes 148 minutes (Re-release)
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Baba''''' is a 2002 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[supernatural film|supernatural]] [[action film]] written and produced by [[Rajinikanth]] under his banner Lotus International, directed by [[Suresh Krishna (director)|Suresh Krissna]], with cinematography by [[Chota K. Naidu]]. The film features Rajinikanth in the title role alongside [[Manisha Koirala]]. The original songs and background score were composed by [[A. R. Rahman]].

The film's story is about a carefree young non-believer of supreme power, Baba, who is a [[reincarnation]] of a great saint from the [[Himalaya]]s. After several twists and problems caused by corrupt local politicians, Baba is taken to [[Mahavatar Babaji]], whom Baba was a follower of in his last life. Baba gets tested by the deity to overcome several illusions of the materialistic world and is given seven wishes. How he uses the wishes while developing spirituality and being at loggerheads with the villains at the same time forms the rest of the story.

First released in 2002 with more than 100 days in theatres, the film was met with mixed critical reviews and was a [[box-office failure]], resulting in Rajinikanth reimbursing distributors for their losses. The film was [[Digital remaster|digitally remastered]], [[Re-edited film|re-edited]] with a shorter duration and an [[alternate ending]], and re-released by [[Lyca Productions]] on 10 December 2022, twenty years after its original release, coinciding with Rajinikanth's birthday weekend and received a favourable response.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-19 |title=Rajinikanth's Flop Movie 'Baba' Becomes A Massive Success After The Re-Release |url=https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/rajinikanth-s-flop-movie-baba-becomes-a-massive-success-after-the-re-release-1570580 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231202250/https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/rajinikanth-s-flop-movie-baba-becomes-a-massive-success-after-the-re-release-1570580 |archive-date=31 December 2022 |access-date=31 December 2022 |website=[[ABP News]] |language=en |agency=[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-19 |title=Once a flop, Rajini's 'Baba' turning into a superhit on re-release? |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/12/19/rajinikanth-movie-baba-released-after-20-years-hit.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226153529/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/12/19/rajinikanth-movie-baba-released-after-20-years-hit.html |archive-date=26 December 2022 |website=[[Onmanorama]] |language=en |access-date=22 November 2024 }}</ref>

==Plot==
{{Expand section|February 2026|date=February 2026}}
The film's story is about a carefree young atheist, Baba, who is a reincarnation of a [[Saint]] from the [[Himalayas]]. After several twists and problems caused by corrupt local politicians, Baba is taken to [[Mahavatar Babaji]], whom Baba was a follower of in his last life. Baba gets tested by the deity and is given seven chances of wishes; the test is that if he uses any one of the wishes for his own personal desires, he would have to take many more births for him to get rid of the Karma.

== Cast ==
{{cast listing|
* [[Rajinikanth]] as Baba and [[Mahavatar Babaji]] (voice only)
* [[Manisha Koirala]] as Chamundeeswari
* [[Goundamani]] as Annamalai
* [[M. N. Nambiar]] as Baba's maternal uncle
* [[Amrish Puri]] as the ''[[tantrik]]''
* [[Vijayakumar (Tamil actor)|Vijayakumar]] as Chamundeeswari's father
* [[Vasu Vikram|MRR. Vasu Vikram]] as Baba's treacherous friend
* [[Delhi Ganesh]] as Perusu
* [[Karunas]] as Samundi
* [[Crane Manohar]] as Kathirika
* [[N. Viswanathan|Kolkata Viswanathan]] as Baba's father
* [[Kitty (actor)|Kitty]] as Bhai
* [[Riyaz Khan]] as Ramaswamy's son
* [[Ashish Vidhyarthi]] as [[deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu|Deputy Chief Minister]] Ippo Ramaswamy
* [[Sayaji Shinde]] as Divyananda Bharathi
* Bharat Dabholkar as [[chief minister of Tamil Nadu|Chief Minister]] Purushothaman 
* [[Sujatha (actress)|Sujatha]] as Baba's mother
* [[Sanghavi]] as Lakshmi
* [[Seema (actress)|Seema]] as Jagadeeshwari, Chamundeeswari's mother
* [[Deepa Venkat]] as Chamundeeswari's friend
* [[Santhoshi]] as Rajeshwari, sister{{Clarification needed|date=March 2026}}
* [[Vaishnavi (Tamil actress)|Vaishnavi]] as Bhuwaneshwari, Chamundeeswari's sister

;Special appearances
* [[Radha Ravi]] as Minister of Tourism
* [[Ramya Krishnan]] as [[Padayappa|Neelambari]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=GE |first=Krupa |date=2018-02-14 |title=Ramya Krishnan, for the win |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/feb/13/ramya-krishnan-for-the-win-1772891.html |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en |access-date=17 February 2024 |archive-date=27 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127053600/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/feb/13/ramya-krishnan-for-the-win-1772891.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] as Suryaprakash
* [[Sarath Babu]] as the father of the girl saved by Baba
* Bharati Mani as Kanthan (uncredited)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thefederal.com/entertainment/baba-review-in-re-edited-version-rajini-sheds-his-political-ambitions/|title=Baba review: Rajini’s cult film holds little appeal for a 2022 audience|date=11 December 2022|work=[[Puthiya Thalaimurai TV|The Federal]]|first=N Vinoth|last=Kumar|access-date=17 March 2026}}</ref>

}}

== Soundtrack==
[[A. R. Rahman]] was approached to compose the original songs and [[background score]] of the film. He initially declined the offer because of his busy schedule in [[London]], with ''[[Bombay Dreams]]''. He eventually accepted the film while in [[Ajmer]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://youtu.be/xBImJBy3i9c?t=743 |title=Baba - Why Mahavatar Babaji Face Was not Shown in Film? - Suresh Krissna Opens Up {{!}} Rajini |date=16 August 2020 |language=ta |publisher=[[Cinema Vikatan]] |access-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425050629/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBImJBy3i9c |archive-date=25 April 2021 |url-status=bot: unknown |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> The songs were recorded in June 2002. Rahman had to supervise the recordings online.

The soundtrack album was released in July 2002 in Chennai. According to Rahman, he tried novel innovations with ''Baba'', giving more than the [[jingoistic]] music that is a characteristic part of a Rajinikanth film.<ref name="Countdown">{{Cite web |date=2002-08-01 |title=Countdown to 'Baba' mystery |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/lf/2002/08/01/stories/2002080101330200.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021116084656/http://www.hinduonnet.com/lf/2002/08/01/stories/2002080101330200.htm |archive-date=16 November 2002 |access-date=1 August 2002 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Some of the songs were filmed in [[Europe]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-08-13 |title=Exciting fare on the cards |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/08/13/stories/2002081300230400.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031006031253/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/08/13/stories/2002081300230400.htm |archive-date=6 October 2003 |access-date=13 August 2002 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

Rahman also faced criticism from the film fraternity for not recording the songs on time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=2002-06-13 |title=Discordant notes |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/06/13/stories/2002061300590301.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021104200228/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/06/13/stories/2002061300590301.htm |archive-date=4 November 2002 |access-date=13 June 2002 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

The [[Dravidar Kazhagam]] objected to the lyrics of a song that had to be partially deleted from the film later. They objected to what they called unfair commentary on [[Periyar E. V. Ramasamy]] and his ideology.<ref name="Countdown" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=2002-08-22 |title="Baba" bashing! |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/mp/2002/08/22/stories/2002082200470200.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126114352/http://www.hinduonnet.com/mp/2002/08/22/stories/2002082200470200.htm |archive-date=26 January 2011 |access-date=22 August 2002 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Song
!Singers
!Lyricist
|-
| "Baba Theme" ("Ekam Eva Adhvitheyam")
| [[Srinivas (singer)|Srinivas]]
| [[Vairamuthu]]
|-
| "Dippu Dippu"
| [[Shankar Mahadevan]]
| Vairamuthu
|-
| "Kichchu Tha"
| [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Reena Bhardwaj]], [[Rajinikanth]] {{small|(voice-over)}}
| [[Vairamuthu]]
|-
| "Maya Maya"
| [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| Vaali
|-
| "Rajyama Illai Emaiyama - Version 1 "
| [[P. Jayachandran]]
| Vaali
|-
| "Sakthi Kodu"
| Karthik
| Vairamuthu
|-
| "Rajyama Illai Emaiyama - Version 2"
| P. Jayachandran
| Vaali
|-
| "Baba Rap"
| [[Blaaze]]
| Blaaze
|}

==Release==
This high-budget production was sold at a record price of {{INR}}17 crore to distributors, but the film yielded a share of {{INR}}13 crore worldwide. So, Rajinikanth volunteered to return almost 25% of the investment. In Coimbatore distribution territory, ''Baba'' was sold for {{INR}}1.5 crore. This record remained unbroken until ''[[Chandramukhi]]'', another Rajnikanth film.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/chandramukhi-first-sale-news-tamil-kkfvDWiddfbsi.html |title=Chandramukhi breaks Baba record price in Coimbatore distribution territory |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=2 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026055051/http://www.sify.com/movies/chandramukhi-first-sale-news-tamil-kkfvDWiddfbsi.html |archive-date=26 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The film made [[Malaysian ringgit|RM]] 2 million in Malaysia but only broke even due to the high cost of distributing the movie.<ref name="TNST"/>

=== Reception ===
Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "You tend to think of ''Badsha'' even as you watch ''Baba'' and you wonder at the magic of the former, which still remains unsurpassed".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=16 August 2002 |title=Baba |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/08/16/stories/2002081600960300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030201170455/http://thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/08/16/stories/2002081600960300.htm |archive-date=1 February 2003 |website=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=3 July 2017 }}</ref> A critic from [[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]] rated the film 2.5/5 stars and wrote, "A large dose of spiritualism, blended with the usual Rajini-style of mannerisms and punch lines, and some graphics [...] A bit of an uncertain and confusing cocktail".<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jul 25, 2002 |title=Baba Tamil Movie |url=https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/97/tamil/baba/30/review.htm |website=Nowrunning |agency=[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]] |access-date=27 November 2024 |archive-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127075150/https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/97/tamil/baba/30/review.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> A critic from ''[[Sify]]'' rated the film 3/5 and wrote, "Rajnikanth's much hyped Baba is a total let down even for his die-hard fans! The film lacks mass appeal and looks more like a propaganda movie for the 'Hindutva' brigade".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/baba-review-tamil-pcluttajccacb.html|title=Baba|website=Sify|access-date=22 November 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201121060045/https://www.sify.com/movies/baba-review-tamil-pcluttajccacb.html|archive-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>

===Controversy===
Ramadoss, a politician from [[Pattali Makkal Katchi]] (PMK) condemned Rajinikanth for posing with [[beedi]]s in the film and playing the role of a chain smoker in the film, which glorified smoking and drinking and encouraged [[Youth in India|Tamil youth]] to pick up those habits. PMK volunteers attacked theatres which screened the film ''Baba'' and usurped film rolls, and burnt it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 23, 2004 |title=Rajini keeps everyone guessing |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/Mar232004/n7.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309043030/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/Mar232004/n7.asp |archive-date=9 March 2007 |access-date=17 September 2015 |website=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref> Amidst such controversies and negative criticism, Rajinikanth kept himself away from acting. Despite this, a few novice directors approached him with scripts, all of which he rejected.<ref>{{Cite web |last=JBR |date=23 May 2005 |title=Is it a Rajni film, a film in which Rajini had acted? |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/specials/specials/rajinispecial.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051205211447/http://www.cinesouth.com/specials/specials/rajinispecial.shtml |archive-date=5 December 2005 |access-date=17 September 2015 |website=Cinesouth}}</ref>

==Re-release==
The film was [[Digital remaster|digitally remastered]] and [[Reissue|re-released]] on December 10, 2022 with its running time being reduced by half-an-hour and having enhanced sound quality.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-21 |title=Superstar Rajinikanth's Baba to be re-released in theatres. Deets inside |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/superstar-rajinikanths-baba-to-be-re-released-in-theatres-deets-inside-2300063-2022-11-21 |website=[[India Today]] |language=en |access-date=26 November 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225034139/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/superstar-rajinikanths-baba-to-be-re-released-in-theatres-deets-inside-2300063-2022-11-21 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/rajinikanth-unveils-trailer-for-remastered-version-of-baba-a-film-that-will-forever-be-closest-to-my-heart-8304393/|title=Rajinikanth unveils trailer for remastered version of Baba: ‘A film that will forever be closest to my heart’|work=[[The Indian Express]]|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204125322/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/rajinikanth-unveils-trailer-for-remastered-version-of-baba-a-film-that-will-forever-be-closest-to-my-heart-8304393/|archive-date=4 December 2022|access-date=17 March 2026}}</ref>

The film had a limited re-release within Tamil Nadu and a few cities across India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-17 |title='Baba' re-release box office collection: Rajinikanth starrer earned Rs 4 crores |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/box-office/baba-re-release-box-office-collection-rajinikanth-starrer-earned-rs-4-crores/articleshow/96296759.cms |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=22 April 2024 |archive-date=20 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220000304/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/box-office/baba-re-release-box-office-collection-rajinikanth-starrer-earned-rs-4-crores/articleshow/96296759.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Legacy==
The film was noted for its dialogue spoken by Rajinikanth "Katham Katham" (Finish, Finish), which gained popularity and also inspired [[Katham Katham|a film of the same name]] released in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 May 2015 |title=I don't imitate Rajini intentionally: Natraj Subramaniam |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150526/entertainment-kollywood/article/i-don%E2%80%99t-imitate-rajini-intentionally-natraj-subramaniam |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526213046/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150526/entertainment-kollywood/article/i-don%E2%80%99t-imitate-rajini-intentionally-natraj-subramaniam |archive-date=26 May 2015 |access-date=18 December 2022 |work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{Suresh Krissna}}
{{A. R. Rahman}}
{{Lyca Productions}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2002 Indian films]]
[[Category:2002 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2000s fantasy action films]]
[[Category:2002 controversies]]
[[Category:2002 films]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Japanese people]]
[[Category:Films about corruption in India]]
[[Category:Films about feuds]]
[[Category:Films about mother–son relationships]]
[[Category:Films about reincarnation]]
[[Category:Films about religion]]
[[Category:Films about spirituality]]
[[Category:Films about wish fulfillment]]
[[Category:Films directed by Suresh Krissna]]
[[Category:Films scored by A. R. Rahman]]
[[Category:Films set in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films set in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Films set in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Films set in the Himalayas]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Films shot in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Films shot in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Films with atheism-related themes]]
[[Category:Hindu mythological films]]
[[Category:Indian fantasy action films]]
[[Category:Indian mythology in popular culture]]
[[Category:Indian political action films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic action films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic fantasy films]]
[[Category:Indian supernatural films]]
[[Category:Kriya yogis]]
[[Category:Obscenity controversies in film]]
[[Category:Paramahansa Yogananda]]
[[Category:Political controversies in India]]
[[Category:Political controversies in film]]
[[Category:Religious controversies in India]]
[[Category:Religious controversies in film]]
[[Category:Supernatural action films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Yoga mass media]]
[[Category:2000s supernatural films]]

Baba (2002 film) - Revision history

Vilianarij: created a stub more to come