Dasavatharam - Kamal, Chaos and Confusion

I have been sooo eager to write about this from the time i watched the movie....So here goes:-

The whole world (well, at least a part of it!!) held its breath and waited for many many months in anticipation for this Magnum opus (!!!!) movie featuring Padmashri Kamal Hassan. It was finally released in the grandest of manner, with hopes of breaking many box office records... ....Unfortunately it got mixed reviews. A few websites called it mediocre & impalpable, and over hyped!! Some People who watched it said, it was a waste of time, money and energy (no really! some one actually said this!!) and some said, Kamal really is a genius and this movie is a must see....
Well, i never succumbed to these websites and reviews, as i wanted to see it for myself...Even if it was full a crap, i would spend that time to sit through it, in order to pass a verdict :)!!!And sit i did :) for a whole of 3 hours. First things first, i always have appreciated the effort that goes into making a movie. It is so easy for us to actually comment or be a very rude critic without actually appreciating the fact that it was conceived with utmost care and love, as a mother would a child.

So anywhoo...I wont talk about the story line, as most of you already know it and there are very many websites that do a much better job at "story telling".....Google it and see for yourself...:)
I am going to rant about what really impressed me and what i think are the positives of this "Movie"!!hmmm....maybe a few negatives too :) :)


(1) Rangaraja Nambi:- This character tops my list. After watching movies like Indian, Anbe Sivam, Mahanadi etc....Rangaraja Nambi is definitely a great "opening Batsman" (for lack of a better comparison!!). His portrayal of the 12th century Vaishnavite leaves you totally mesmerized. This character alone, displays various emotions in the 8-10 minute screen time he has been given...Even I was misty eyed in the scene where the Cruel King Kulothunga Chozhan (Played by Napolen!! well, lets not go there!!) asks Nambi to choose between his family (wife, played by Asin:- Kudos!!) and his God "Shri Maha Vishnu"....The way Kamal acts out Nambi's helplessness left me in Awe...yes, that is the Kamal we all know...Especially when Napoleon spits out series of "Arivom...Arivom"...Nambi goes, "The God even made you say "Hari Om".Classic!


(2) Christian Fletzer:- An Ex CIA. This character is amazing for different reasons...First of, it is completely different from the regular Kamal we know...As in, he normally would not miss the opportunity to use his Accented English and regular vetti banda, even if he play a desi guy visiting foreign land (Ref:- Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu). As Fletzer, he did not talk much but acted out as a typical Villian...Always chasing his target, he never falters or takes a breather...Great Dialogue delivery, Oozing expressions, accent and attitude true to an American Baddie...:)!


(3) Balaram Naidu:- An Intelligence official of the Govt Of India. This character was hilarious...His Telugu accent and the way he beams with pride when he sees a fellow "teluguvadu", is just too good! His convo with Govind (The Scientist Kamal) where he is hell bent on proving how important his role is and how dangerous he can be, is just a riot...I like the scene where Khalifulla says "Lorrykar idichuttu poitaan sir"...Naidu:- "Correct a sollu Lorry ya? Car a?" :) :) And the mockery "I am from Andhra and i am speaking in Tamil. You are from Tamil Nadu and u speak in English....apprum Tamil Vazhga, valargana, yebdi valarum???"...Stings! :)

Other aspects:- I liked Govind (the scientist) for a few reasons:- His anxiousness to find someone in India who can actually understand what he is talking about...The line "You are the south end of a North Facing Horse"...His mini arguements with Asin and the last scene where he says "Naan Kadavul illainu sollale, iruntha nalla irukumnu thaan solren" he he...The Sarcasm in his Atheism.
Vincent Poovaragan, yes definitely a great character. The make up was so real, it took me a while to realize it was "Kamal" in all his glory. The Nagarkoil accent was simply superb. Although i am not surprised, as it was kamal-the perfectionist! However, i felt Poovaragan did not have the screen time he deserved.

The Bush Mockery of "Can we not drop a nuclear bomb on it"? was awesome...I also appreciate the Height variations of the 10 different characters.

Now the "not so good" aspects:- The Tamizh saying "Alavukku adigama pona, amrithamum visham" holds good here..

The very idea of reading a word (even if it is "Ice Cream") 10 times, is boring enough, imagine watching 10 different roles..It was an over dose for sure....The Japanese character, Avatar Singh, Khaliffulla, Krishnaveni pati were just so so...
Make up was not up to kamal's standards. I expected to see a lot more. The "Perumal Paithiyum" Asin was very very irritating...Agreed that she blindly loves her Perumal, but even Perumal has his limits!!! She could have toned it down a bit!

Music was mediocre. The song "Kallai mattum" will take time to grow on you. The same with "Mukunda Mukunda"...

Dasavatharam is a good movie but i can sit through it just one time....I definitely wont see it again. I am a kamal fan and i watch all his movies, N number of times...But sorry, not this one! He is the "Ulaga Nayagan" agreed but Dasavatharam does not fit in Kamal's jewels. Kudos to him for the effort but better luck next time!