Dasavatharam Movie Review

Kamal Hassan's magnum opus film Dasavatharam directed by K.S.Ravi Kumar and produced by Oscar Ravichandran released on June 13. Already the film had been touted as the biggest Indian film to hit the screens. Over one thousand prints of the film have been screened worldwide. In Karnataka Dasavatharam and its Telugu version released simultaneously. While the Tamil film been released in Bangalore, in other districts like Kolar the Telugu version was released.

One man doing 11 roles, 10 on screen and one off it (as scriptwriter) is a first in the history of world cinema. You have heard a lot about the story, probably more than what you have about any film before its release. A story that spans 9 centuries and takes you across the globe on a big adventure and on a canvas so big that Indian cinema, maybe world cinema, has never witnessed. Here's a look at just how big the film is & Dasavatharam review is out:

Banner: Oscar Films

Cast: Kamal Haasan, Asin, Mallika Sherawath, Jayapradha, Rekha, K R Vijaya, Nagesh, Nepolean, Santhana Bharathi, M S Bhaskar, P Vasu, R Sundarrajan, Ramesh Khanna, Erode Sounder, Pandu

Direction: K S Ravikumar

Production: V Ravichandran

Music: Himesh Reshammiya

Kamal Hassan’s Roles in the Movie

1. Rangarajan Nambi – An Iyengar

2. Govind Ramaswamy – An American Scientist

3. Fletcher – Anti Hero (A Former CIA Officer)

4. Balram Naidu – Investigator

5. Boovaragan – Annachi

6. Mrs. Krishaveni – An Old Woman of 95 years.

7. Japanese Martial Arts Trainer

8. Kalifullah Khan - A Muslim Guy

9. Mr. Avatar Singh – A Punjabi Pop Singer

10. George W Bush – American President

11. As a Script Writer

The story line to very complicated woven – The team has tried to highlight a lot of stuff into the Single story – Religion, Bio-Weapon, Tsunami, Illegal stealing of Sand, Cancer, Celebrity’s life & US supremacy.

The story starts with an incident taking place in 12^th century during the rule of the Chozha dynasty when Hindus were divided into Saivites and Vaishnavites. Rangarajan Nambi (Avatar No.1) is a loyal disciple of Ramanuja Azhwar. King Kulothunga (Napolean - what a fantastic performance!), a follower of Lord Siva, compels Nambi to change his religious beliefs and worship Lord Siva instead of Lord Vishnu but Nambi refuses. The king then orders for the immersion of the statue of Lord Ranganatha along with Nambi into the sea.

After this meaningless first avatar, the movie shifts to the present scientific world. Govind Ramaswamy (Avatar No.2), an American scientist invents a dangerous bio weapon in his lab but wants to destroy the same after realizing its dangerous consequences. But the US Govt and scientists don’t allow him to do that. One fine day, Govind runs away from the lab with the bio weapon but Fletcher (Avatar No.3), a former CIA officer turned Villian, chases him to get the weapon back to destroy other countries.

The weapon is mistakenly sent to an Indian address by courier where a 95 year old lady (Avatar No.4) receives the parcel. Govind immediately rushes to India and traces down the address. He is followed by Fletcher who is accompanied by his prostitute cum translator (Mallika Sherawat). The old lady refuses to give the weapon to them without understanding the danger it could cause and puts it inside a statue of Lord Vishnu.

The scientist captures the statue and starts running with it pulling Asin close relative of the old lady, along with him. Fletcher chases him till the end of the film. A foolish police officer Balram Naidu (Avatar No.5) too is in the race always chasing both these characters.

In between a Punjabi singer (Avatar No.6), US President George Bush (Avatar No.7), a tall Muslim (Avatar No.8), a martial arts trainer (Avatar No.9) and a Southern district resident Annachi (Avatar No.10) comes, does something and disappears.

Finally the tsunami comes to the rescue of the Scientist and destroys the weapon along with drowning Fletcher. The statue of Lord Rangaraja, which was immersed in the sea in 12th century, also appears on the shore after the tsunami.

What did Kamal Hassan really want to convey? Lord Ranganatha, the almighty who is sleeping inside the sea for centuries, finally sends a tsunami to destroy the bio weapon along with the bad guy.

What is the necessity or compulsion of portraying Kamal in 10 different get ups? To create some mindless hype or register it as a record in the Industry? Highly idiotic! Particularly the role of Punjabi Singer, Muslim tall man Kalifullah Khan, Annachi and Japanese martial arts trainer unnecessarily intervene in the flow of story.

There is no professionalism in makeup also. For most of the characters, the makeup looks very amateur. Kamal looks like an animation character playing the bad guys role because the makeup is over done. However, one must appreciate him for the hard work put into playing so many different characters to perform in many roles simultaneously at this age.

Apart from Kamal, Asin plays dual roles for the first time but nothing is special in any of her get ups. Her performance is also not par excellence. Jayapradha appears in few scenes and does well in them. Nothing is special in Himesh Reshammiya’s songs or Devi Sri Prasad’s background score. Ravi Varman unnecessarily lifts the camera to top angle and shakes even inside a house.

Technically the film is far superior to any other Tamil movie in some scenes, particularly in the tsunami climax. The special effects of Jennie in the last 15 minutes simply rocks. Also the body language of Japanese Kamal is simply excellent. Watch this movie to see Kamal in 10 different avatars. But is it really enough to make a fan to watch a film? This is a big question stand before Kamal fans those known as the lovers of good movies like sensational Mahanadhi or Kuruthipunal!. Kamal Ji we expected a lot from you.

Verdict: No doubt, Dasavatharam is really an average movie with a poor plot and characterization that fails in most of the departments and fails to attract the viewers.

Rating: 3 & ½ Stars on 5