Dasavatharam - Magnum Opus of Kamal

"It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf." - Walter Lippmann

Disclaimer: This is not a movie for the ordinary. You got to be able to think a bit to understand and appreciate the movie. If you cannot or do not want to think for a movie, please don't waste your time. Neither Kamal nor his serious fans care about you.

It was a unique experience to try first day first show - am sure not possible if I were in Chennai or anywhere in Tamil Nadu. But worth every cent of $15 as I should say honestly that I enjoyed 95% of the movies. All roles of Kamal are carefully chosen and well imagined. The plot is ingenious for Tamil movies and the screenplay is done well.

The story is around a chip that is highly dangerous bio-weapon causing huge damage that can be nullified with heavy amounts of NaCl. Its a cut though chase and as the hero (Govind, a scientist that worked on it and knows the details) travels with the chip, so do we do. We see several characters in the movie in this chase and 9 more of Kamal too each having a significant role. Of course the story starts with 12th century where Ramanuja Nambi is thrown into the sea with the idol of Vishnu. This looked disconnected with the mainstream movie until the very end where the idol appears again from Tsunami. Neither the movie nor the director/actor explains why but left to the audience to think over. The very thought that "If we could imagine Tsunami this way also" needs tremendous appreciation. It takes lot of courage to take this kind of movie - to imagine, to execute and to succeed. Hats off to Kamal and Ravikumar and Ravichandran.

The movie is definitely world class for several reasons: Camera - be it bringing 12th century or the streets of Washington DC or Chidhambaram or Las Vegas Casino - it brings you as close to reality to your eyes. So are the graphics and art direction. Not sure if any other movie brought Tsunami to our eyes so far. The best thing is that they are part of the movie and not noticeable unlike Shankar's movies where they at times look as added explicitly just to make it grand. These are big advantages and ideally should be the case for any movie. Sameway the songs, even though ordinary and nothing catchy or ringing in our ears, blend with the movie and kind of ok. Another good thing is that you can watch the movie with family - nothing vulgar or obscene at all.

Kamal's acting - lot of opportunities as he 10 roles in the movie although some of the facial expressions are limited with the heavy make-up. But its just not facial expression alone that matters in acting rather the whole body language, mannerism and voice and Kamal has not compromised on others. Every role tried to do it differently not only in the make-up but also on voice modulation and style. I can't see any role superior or inferior but few remains with us forever - Ex-CIA Fletcher, RAW officer Balram, Singer Avatar Singh, Dalit fighter Vincent Bhoovaragan, Japanese martial artist, the old lady, tall Muslim guy and Nambi. Even though it looks 90% Kamal movie, the other actors also used their opportunity very well. Be it Asin or Kabilan or Vayaburi or MS Baskar or Santhana Bharathy - they used their small roles to exhibit very well.

Finally the movie is a real magnum opus for Kamal - for the 10 roles he played and for the intelligent plot. But I am sure he will give more in his upcoming ventures - Marma Yogi and his dream project Marudha Nayagam. Now that his 10 min of 12th century in this movie brought lot of attention, he will be more motivated to do them soon.

Lessons learnt - Kamal, please read: While it is understandable that it takes a long time to make this movie owing to the make-up time and reshooting to cover all roles, movies should not take this long to produce as the expectations are more from audience and will lose interest if prolonged for long time. Don't spend more than 6 months for any movie and disappoint the expectations to the audience. Also leave it to the expert for the expertise: like for example music. Even though background music was good and kind of compensated for the very ordinary songs, could have elevated the movie higher if had gone with A.R.Rehman or Vidhyasagar. Its not worth taking a risk with a new music director for a movie of this kind. Perhaps Kamal would have thought we do not need songs for such a packed movie but remember the thought A.R.Rehman said to the movie Kannathil Muthamittal: Mani, we do not need songs for this movie but Rehman experimented a new kind of music with this movie that not only helped the movie but also fetched national award for him. Such is the power of music in Indian movies.

AR Rehman, Bharath Bala & Jana Gana Mana

Got this website from one of my friend that has the national anthem of India - Jana Gana Mana... Set to an excellent music and a gamut of artists from across the country, the video is a masterpiece.

Must see - Check out here: http://www.crushtechnology.com/india/

Manicka Vinayagam - Singer with a difference

When we are used to seeing several young singers singing these days, the one guy that impressed me most is Manicka Vinayagam. Couple of songs are enough to conclude his unique singing style - perhaps its inherent but very different from the crowd of youth voices.

Though my favorite is Margandeya from the movie New, Theradi Veedhiyil from Run also is equally good.

If I remember correct, he used to compose and compere carnatic music. I have seen some albums of Yesudas where he has done that.

Age never matters for you sir - you are doing great!

'Terminal' Indian?

I was amazed to hear that its a true story when I watched Steven Spielberg's movie 'Terminal'. While Spielberg deserves a pat for making films based on true stories ('Catch me if you can' is another one that I know of), Tom Hanks deserves another for the wonderful performance. One of the greatest actors of Hollywood.

While browsing Hindustan Times, I bumped into a news where an Indian was stuck like Tom Hanks in Nairobi Airport for 13 months - More here

Kamal & Hollywood

Heard through friends that the following movies were remade in Tamil:

1. Sathi Leelavathi from She Devil
2. Magalir Mattum from 9 to 5
3. Avvai Shanmughi from Mrs.Doubtfire
4. Panchathanthiram from ???
   
5. Anbe Sivam from Planes, Trains and Automobiles
6. Nala Dhamayanthi from Green Card

It is really surprising to know that why should such a great actor like Kamal should do this? Getting inspired is different and ultalakkadi is different.

Kamal you are a great actor - no questions asked - you too?

A R Rehman and Carnatic Music

AR Rehman's career in film industry started with controversy when his first album - Roja - had a song in Kaapi. But nevertheless he composed several songs based on pure raagas - Anandha Bairavi, Maandu, Dharmavathi and many more. I remember what Rehman said once in an interview that his best work was the movie "Duet". Incidentally most of the songs in the movie are based on carnatic raagas.

Check here for a collection of some of his songs based on raagas. Good work Prabhu!

Wonderful singer called Swarnalatha

Have you ever heard the song "Kuyil Paattu O Vandhadhenna" or the song "Porale Ponnuthaayee" in Tamil? If so, you will enjoy immediately the songs and appreciate the national award singer - Swarnalatha. Wow! what a voice! Very magical. I do not know how to mention her voice in musical scales but it is not the conventional or typical voice you hear often. One of a special and different kind.

Though hailed from Kerala, the singer is settled in Chennai and sings mostly in Tamil. Wait a minute, do not think she is confined just to Tamil. Her song in Rangeela - a blockbuster Hindi movie - "Hey Rama" is a hit number too.

She won national award (one of the highest in India) for "Porale Ponnuthayee" from the movie "Karuthamma". Incidentally the lyricist also got national award and the movie for best film with a social theme.

The song is one of the best of AR Rehman.

Shankar Mahadevan - A great singer

Although heard about the famous album in Hindi, I could appreciate this singer the best when I heard the song 'Varaga Nadhikkara Oram'. It was a very interesting situation when I heard the song first too - on a trip from Madras to Trichy - in Pallavan Express, a group of students singing in a chorus - Wow! Another best is the excellent performance 'Sandhana Thendralay' in 'Kandukonden Kandukonden'. No wonder he got the national award for this.

Shankar has a tremendous skill of taking both high and low pitch at ease and holding the breathe. It is not fair if the song ---- from Pukar is not mentioned.

A great singer, really!

An Actor called Tom Hanks

Had a chance to watch the movie Philadelphia today. Wow! what a movie. Great movie. Have you ever watched 'Castaway', 'Philadelphia' or 'Forrest Gump'? Then you must be a fan of Tom Hanks. No one can deny the excellent piece of acting this actor performs. One of the best actors of this era.

Be it the physique that is required or voice or style or expression, this actor has a great passion towards exhibiting the best. He totally gets involved with the role. Very dedicated. The Oscar winner for best acting was nominated for five times and won twice - once for Philadelphia and once for Forrest Gump.

The punching dialogs that he delivered in most of the movies stay ringing always - "Mama told me to run" or "I made it" or "Every problem has a solution"

Great actor!