On Dasavathaaram...

Kamal Hassan’s latest film, Dasavathaaram, is worth a watch for the efforts put in by the Ulaga Nayakan. The movie does not bore you. However, it fails to live up to the Herculean expectations and a substantial chunk of its Rs 127 crore (approximate) budget has been wasted. You wonder if the legend has done justice to himself by hiding several of his ten characters under layers and layers of make-up. The old woman, Krishnaveni, or whatever her name was, is the worst of the lot. We gladly cheered a caked-up Kamal in Indian, but this is too much to bear. Further, the incredible stupidity of the character itself makes you cringe. While on the subject of exceptionally stupid characters — If there is one character in the film that deserved to die, it is that of Asin. (not that she does, eh. Oh, wait a second. She has a double role. Whatever.) It would have been so much easier on the eyes and ears of the audience, apart from Kamal (s) in the movie. Uff.

Anyway, I liked Rangaraja Nambi, the hardcore Vaishnavite. But many of the other avatars seem to be forced into the narrative. For instance, what the hell is the Afghani guy all about? What is he doing in the film? And the less said about Krishnaveni, the better. Ugh. But yes, Balram Naidu is funny. Telugu raadu. Heh. My favourite, however, is Vincent Poovaraghan, the tribal chieftain who leads a crusade against the sand mafia. It is as Poovaraghan that Kamal shows us, once again, his sheer genius… the make-up is good here, but then it wasn’t really required. Hmm… My friend Pavitra pointed out that the music was far from impressive. Which is precisely why I thought it did not merit a mention. I liked the pleasant Ulaga Nayakane… but the other songs don’t stay with you. Watch Dasavathaaram for Kamal. Once. And do check out this column by Shobha Warrier of Rediff.