Dasavatharam- Review-Average

After watching Dasavatharam- the so called magnum opus of the year- an ardent fan of Kamal Hassan will ask why indeed it is called a magnum opus in the first place. Why was all the hype, tension, cases, expectations and unnecessary expenses wasted on this average film. Once again, Kamal fails to attract Tamil audiences with his own script.The story starts with an incident taking place in 12th 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 of Lord Vishnu but Nambi refuses.
After this meaningless first avatar, the movie shifts to the present scientific world. Govind (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.5), US President George Bush ( Avatar No.6), a tall Muslim ( Avatar No.7), a martial arts trainer ( Avatar No.8) and a Southern district resident Annachi ( Avatar No.9) 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. 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.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 hardwork 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!Kamalji, we expected a lot from you!

Verdict: Not up to expectations! Credits

Cast: Kamal Hassan, Asin, Jayapradha

Music: Himesh Reshammiya

Camera: Ravi Varman

Direction: K.S.Ravikumar

Producer: V.Ravichandran

Kajal and Allu Arjun together!

Kajal has joined the league of big actresses now. Big projects are raining on her. Soon after pairing with Ram Charan Teja, she has been roped in to play opposite Allu Arjun in his new film to be directed by Sukumar.
She plays the role of Geeta in this sequel to blockbuster Arya. Earlier Tamanna was selected for this film but Sukumar and the team has felt that Kajal best suits for this role which is extension to the character that became hugely popular in Arya. Tamanna is not doing the movie.
As this film is sequel, the main characters - Arya (Allu Arjun), Geeta (Anuradha) and her boyfriend Ajay (Shiva Balaji) from the original are being repeated. But from the cast, only Allu Arjun is acting in the sequel. Allu Arjun’s close friend and hero Navadeep is roped in for the role that was originally done by Shiva Balaji.
The film will begin regular shoot from next month.

Ileana - Exclusive Interview

Ileana, without doubt, is numero uno star in Tollywood. And one of the highest paid actresses in South India. She commands huge following among the current generation actresses almost equal to a top hero! She was a part of the success of movies such as Pokiri, Devadas, Jalsa, Raakhi and Bhale Dongalu. She's rarely seen talking in public. Last year, she attended the TANA convention in the USA, and when the organizers booked a very big hall to meet the audience, the hall was jam-packed and people were standing outside too just to have a glimpse of her! She answered all the questions very patiently.

Q: So, how are you enjoying the success of Jalsa and good response for your role in Bhale Dongalu?
It is a double bonanza for me. I am really happy about the success of the both the films!

Q: Your film Pokiri was much bigger success than the debut film Devadas.. .
True, but Devadas is always close to my heart as it is my debut film and the character I did in Devadas is close to my original self. So I love Devadas a lot, not that I don't love Pokiri, but I surely like Devadas more!

Q: You worked with best directors in Telugu within a short span!
Of course, I am very lucky to work with wonderful directors like YVS gaaru, Puri Jaganath, Krishnavamsi, V.N.Aditya, Trivikram gaaru, Vijayabhaskar gaaruetc. It is luck and my hard work which paid off to work with such a great directors.

Q: How was your interaction with them?
I never had any problem with anyone. Working with them is like learing a new thing every day! But, above all, I definitely have gratitude towards YVS gaaru. I was totally a newcomer when I was doing Devadas and did not know anything about films. It is he who taught me patiently. So I am definitely more indebted to him than to others.

Q: How do you rate yourself as an actress?
I am working hard and I am improving with every film, I could say, but I think others should tell that, and not myself (laughs)!

Q: How was working with heroes Like Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh and NTR Jr.?
Pawan gaaru and Mahesh gaaru are both much reserved people. They never used to interfere with others' works - their policy was to keep to themselves, complete their work and go. Tarak (NTR Jr.) is fun to work with. He mingles with everyone easily. But everyone is a real professional in that they all work equally hard for scene betterment.

Q: How was it working with Siddharth?
No comment, please!

Q: Everyone knows that you are hot property in Telugu, but since you also worked in a Tamil film, I ask this: Any plans of continuing there also?
My film in Tamil didn't do well there, and I was not really happy working in Tamil either. I had a bad experience working in that film. So I am not really keen to work in Tamil films in future, unless a good opportunity comes in. Though I was offered the Tamil version of Pokiri, I was unable to work for it then due to clash of dates with the other Tamil film I was doing and I also met with an accident and was not able to work for sometime caused delays in completion of my other films too.

Q: How do you feel being the highest paid actress in Telugu?
Who said that I am highest paid? All those are rumors, and I do not think I am at that level where people cannot reach me! I am reasonably paid ..not over-paid definitely.
Next..On Rumors..And Love..

Q: Are you working in Hindi films now?
That's a rumor too - there's nothing of that sort of as of now! I am very much available and am doing more films here (laughs).

Q: Being a star, don't you think you miss friends and family more?
Not really. I know many people who like to leave everything for this stardom! I am very fortunate to get this life. I haven't missed much as I do not have many friends. I have very little, close circle of friends, and I am always in touch with them. And whatever I am today, my family was always there for me. I am very fortunate that way too.

Q: How's your dad's reaction in being recognized as a star's father than himself?
He's very proud of my success and was always a great support to me. Not only him, but the whole of my family is very supportive to me.

Q: Do you see yourself as a Goan or a Mumbai-ite?
(Laughs) Part of both. My dad is from Goa and my mom is from Mumbai. I was in Mumbai for the first ten years of my life and then we shifted to Goa.

Q: How did the flops like Khatarnak and Munna affect you?
See, for any film, we do the same hard work, and it's not like we work less for a flop film. Will the flops affect us? Surely, yes! But nothing is in our hands. And, I do not think everyone keeps giving hits constantly, right?

Q: What next?
As of now, I am on a vacation with my family and am just catching up with things and taking rest. I haven't yet signed any new film yet. I'll let you know soon.

Q: Are you in love with anyone?
Ileana: (Laughs) No, I am not, and I do not have time for off-screen romance