Dashavatar

Book Review by: lubusait

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Tan tana tan

As an actor, there is no parallel to Kamal Hassan. He has been there, done that. There are no milestones left for him to cross. In the history of Indian Cinema, not many can achieve what he has. Even at the age of 54, he looks young and fit. In his own way, he is a legend and an icon.

In these cut-throat competitive times, where young actors sprout each day, he has managed to hold his own. He has die-hard fans that never says die. He has come a long way as an actor with memorable roles.

But as a film maker he has miles to go. His last four movies as a film maker flopped big time and this is the latest to join the queue. Dashavatar is a dubbed Hindi version of Tamil Dasavataram. Kamal likes to experiment (remember Chachi 420). But not all experiments succeed.

This dubbed version of the original which was made at a whopping cost of Rs 100 crore and with 10 avatars (Rs 10 crore for each avatar) is a loss-making venture. Apparently, the audience couldn’t digest it. And rightly so. With no story to talk about, garish makeup (that seems like a mask) and fancy dresses to justify the 10 characters, Kamal lost grip over the proceedings. You will come across the weirdest accents.

Consider Bush saying “I am Bush”. It will set you rolling on the floor. And the dumbest scene: throat cancer cured with a bullet. (Wonder what’s the need of medicines and doctors?) So, now you got the gist of the proceedings.

The epic story begins in the 12th century and ends in 2004. Beginning in the USA and ending in India with a heavy dose of Hindu mythology, the film has a strong Southern flavour. Most dubbed movies in Hindi don’t do well and this one is no exception.

In the 12th century, Kamal was drowned in the sea on the orders of the king. Year 2004 sees him as a scientist in the US, where he has developed a biological weapon. Knowing its dangers, he goes on a trip to India. And there begins the chase with the villain after him. It spans many continents and becomes a tasteless khichidi.

The first half hour and the last half hour are the highlights of the movie solely due to digital graphics. They make up for the lack of a story. It is to Kamal’s credit that he plays 10 avatars. But not all avatars rise up to the expectations. With these 10 avatars, Kamal has not set any world record. He has just proved, even intelligent men reach their nadir.

So, we have Kamal (10 avatars) as a Vaishnava hero Nambi, scientist Govinda, villain Christian Fletcher, Asin’s grandmother Krishnaveni, cop Balram Naidu, Punjabi singer Avtaar Singh, George Bush, terrorist Kalifullah Mukhtaar, martial arts Japanese trainer Shinghen Narahasi and Southern district resident Annachi Vincent Poovaragan.

Asin in a double role is wasted. Mallika Sherawat as the villain’s moll is strictly OK. Jaya Prada has turned in a good performance.

Himesh Reshammiya has come up with three foot-tapping numbers – “koi tumsa”, “black ho ya white” and “o sanam”. Remaining songs are pretty ordinary.

Finally, if I say: don’t watch it, don’t watch it, don’t watch it, don’t watch it, don’t watch it, don’t watch it, don’t watch it, don’t watch it, don’t watch it, don’t watch it. You would have got irritated why I have repeated it 10 times when I mean one and the same thing. When once was enough.

So, imagine watching Kamal in 10 different meaningless roles when one was enough. Got the point! Watch 10 old films of Kamal. You will get your heart’s fill. But definitely not this one. This one is just for ‘records’ sake.

Kamal, take it easy, old boy. Reach out for the 100 instead of being reduced to 01 (leave number 1 for the young turks).

Genre: Dubbed, Hindi/Telugu

Producer: Oscar Ravichandran

Executive Producer / Co-Producer: G. Ramesh Babu

Director: K.S. Ravikumar

Star Cast: Kamal Hassan, Jasmine (Mallika Sherawat), Kothai Radha (Asin), Ranjitha Singh (Jaya Prada), King Kulothunga II (Napolean), Sheik Mukhtaar (Kalifulla's Father)

(Nagesh), Robin Roy (Raghuraman), Jaa. Raghavandra (Jaa. Raa) (P Vasu), Meenakshi (Rekha), Jaa. Raa's Brother-in-law (Santhana Bharathi), Inspector Bharath (Akash), Suresh (Sanjay)

Cassettes and CD's on: T-Series

Lyricist: Sameer

Music Director: Himesh Reshammiya

Cinematography: Ravi K. Chandran

Choreography: Brinda, Prasanna

Art: Samir Chanda, M. Prabhakaran, Thotta Tharani

Editor: Ashmith Kunder, K. Thanigachalam

Screenplay: Kamal Hassan

Sound: H Sridhar

Dialogue: Atul Tiwari, Kamal Hassan

Costume: S. Murthy

Story / Writer: Kamal Hassan

Meri Padosan – Boring Than The Word BORE!

This is the third dud of this week. Let’s get it over quick. I have no heart to write but you must know what you have (blinked and) missed. And thank God for small mercies.

Viju (Sanjay Mishra), a clerk and his wife Kavita (Sadhika Randhawa) have come from a small time to realise their dreams. Their happy life is disturbed when Shyam Gopal Verma (a struggling director) comes to stay with two friends Prem (media promoter) and Aslam (working in bank) in their neighbourhood.

Shyam Gopal Verma should remind you of bechara Ram Gopal Verma. Remember Ramu, who is neither here nor there. The maverick has become a mockery. Probably he was needed here to provide some real-life fun.

Prem gets a chance to see Viju and Kavita's romance. Shyam sees an ad in Live India channel for a director. He decides to make a real life film of this couple’s love story.

He shoots the movie secretly with a hired camera. Will he now get his big break with the movie? Don’t even bother to find out about it by going to this movie. Forget it. Remember, you have better things to do. For instance, you have to catch up on your sleep. Or something even better.

I wouldn’t care to comment on any actor’s performance, leave alone trying to remember who they are. Unknown names and equally forgettable performances. This film reminds me of earlier serials telecast on Doordarshan. You will never want to watch them now, not even in your distant dream.

At times I was pinching myself to keep awake while at others trying to remember where the EXIT was. When the film ended, I had only one thought in mind - RUN.

I don’t find any words to describe the songs. Cinematography, what cinematography! It is this film’s good luck to be called a film at all. Even Youtube videos are better and interesting than this. The distributors of this film are in for a shock from which they will not recover easily. If it works for a day also, it will be a miracle.

The producers-multiplex row must get over soon or we will come across flicks like this one alone. It would be better that there are no releases at all than this pitiable fare.

I wanted to title it “Shittier than the word SHIT”. But I didn’t want you all to vomit so I toned it down to the word BORE. And, believe me, that is an understatement. Must say, the first quarter of Hindi film releases is a complete wash out. The less said the better. MUM is the word.

If this movie claims to be a COMEDY, wonder what is a tragedy? Think about it.

Banner: Sagar Creations/Comedy

Producer: Ashok Bagla

Director: Prakash Saini

Star Cast: Sarvar Ahuja, Kavita (Sadhika Randhawa), Viju (Sanjay Mishra), Khayali, Heena Tasleem, Ashok Bagla

Lyricist: Rishi Azad, Jai Salwan

Music Director: Ravi Meet, Manoj Negi

Submitted: April 18, 2009

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