Uttama Villain

Mix a dance form from Kerala, with a parallel storyline on life and death with a legendary director and an equally legendary actor portraying the same on screen and sprinkle few other well known names. The result would look something like the now released Uthama Villain (villain mean archer and not antagonist and thus no tax- issues there).

Storyline: An actor attempts to make his magnum opus when his clock starts ticking.

Very few know that Tarantino's inspiration for the manga comic parts ,in Kill Bill, is Kamal hassan's Alavandhan. Such is KH's talent (acting among many others) that any movie goer will follow Sivaji Ganesan's name with none other than KH himself. This time around too he has done what he usually does best: Experimentation.

This is a rare movie where every cast (despite being such a star studded ensemble cast) is given a sizable role and none of them is there for sake of screen filling.

Several sub-textual beauties (like comparison between a dying person and an immortal in parallel stories) including plenty of wordplay makes it a repeat watch just to make sure that you didn't miss anything during the first time.

After Aayirathil Oruvan, this movie contains an abundance of pure tamil with some Telugu and Malayalam (no subtitles) to show the diversity of an actor's life. So, non-tamils please beware and don't complain later.

If my prediction pans out to be right (and I am not a astrologer by the way), then Uthama Villain might turn out to be another Virumandi or Kurudhi Punal (not received well but will treated as a gem when looked back).Slight slag can be felt in the second half's first half.

If you are reading this review section, I definitely feel that you are someone who either like Kamal's movies or someone who really do not like him.

This is not really a review, but just some thoughts based on my experience after watching Uttama Villain. In fact, the first review I read from this section made me write this.

In an industry where commercial potboilers are the only ones that sell, it take guts to even try by what Kamal has tried, without even thinking about repercussions and box office. The state of affairs of Tamil cinema is so bad, everybody (at-least most) needs a kuthu song and flying-in-the-air stunts.

I, being a Kamal fan for all these years, did not like Dashavatharam a bit (except the first 15 mins). I, hated Manmadhan Ambu because the story wandered without knowing where to go. But, Uttama Villain is not one of those movies. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the movie. In fact, I was loosing faith and patience, after these movies, but UV has brought me back into liking Kamal's movie again.

I would not classify this as a comedy, but a good movie. Few of the comedy scenes fall flat, but they are never agonizingly painful to digest.

Kamal has picked up a script where he wanted to show his acting prowess and dedication after a long time and he has done it effortlessly). All the characters KB, MS Bhaskar, Andrea, Jayaram, Parvathy and the son character have performed brilliantly in the small space provided to them.

This is not a racy movie where hero runs from pillar to post behind the villain and leave the audience on the edge of their seats, but a slow one that lets you sit back and enjoy the mastery of a great actor.

Is this Kamal's best movie yet? The answer is No, however this is one of his best performances till date and definitely the kind of movie his fans want to see from him. It definitely is a good movie and a worthwhile watch.

I enjoyed the movie, regardless of it box office fate or how harsh people criticize it. Hats off.

The film opens in a theatre as the camera captures the frenzied mood of fans waiting to watch the latest release of superstar Manoranjan, played by Kamal Haasan. In the movie within the movie, in some foreign ___location, Manoranjan is dancing to a duet with Pooja Kumar.

Here's a sixty-year-old jiving like he's thirty years younger and performing wheeling on his bike. A few scenes later, Manoranjan is on a talk show where he's aptly introduced as the king of entertainment because Manoranjan (in Hindi) means entertainment and what better name can a superstar have.

It just takes a few minutes to get to know Manoranjan, who's the son-in-law of successful producer Poorna Chandra Rao (K Vishwanath), who has produced most of Manoranjan's films since he's married to his daughter.

In a way, he's responsible for his stardom and legacy. In the opening scene, Manoranjan's wife, mother-in-law and son, Manohar, are seated in the back row of the movie screening.

Manohar is least interested and is happily texting away. A little later, we're introduced to doctor Arpana, played by Andrea, and her first encounter with Mano almost catches the eye of the paparazzi.

There's another woman in Manoranjan's life, his old flair Yamini with whom he has a daughter, Manonmani. As a viewer, suddenly, you get the feeling that the life of superstar Kamal Haasan is unfolding on screen, for he's had his share of failed relationships and affairs.

In a beautiful mall scene, we witness hero-worshipping when legions of fans show up to get a glimpse of Manoranjan. He waves at them and smiles like they mean his world. And minutes later, as he leaves in a car, his superstar mask comes off, as he necks down some whiskey to fight severe headache. He doesn't want his fans to see him drinking because superstars are role models for many, aren't they? Uttama Villain is a terrific take on super stardom and mortality. It is actually a satire in parts. When Manoranjan learns he has only few days to live, he wants make a film in which he's immortal.

Manoranjan teams up with his former mentor and celebrated filmmaker Margadarshi, played by his real-life guru K Balachander. The character is named Margadarshi (the path shower) for a reason because it's a fitting tribute to Mr Balachander, who showed the path to Kamal Haasan many years ago when he wasn't sure if he wanted to be an actor. The first scene between them is exceptionally good and the intensity with which Balachander delivers his lines is commendable and inspiring.

Manoranjan and Margadarshi decide to make a film about a theatre artist who sets out on a journey to expel a nasty king. The movie within the movie is called Uttama Villain, which is a comedy, and Kamal Haasan plays Uttaman, but people call him Mrityunjay as he dodges death many times by a whisker.

Although Manoranjan is dying a slow and tragic death in real life, as the character Uttaman he entertains and remains immortal.

As Manoranjan brings his family together, including his daughter from his affair with Yamini, you see the mask coming off the superstar gradually. The scene where he breaks the news about his health to his wife and her family is heartbreaking, and so is when he learns about his daughter from the person who raised her. Kamal Haasan owns these scenes and performs with the kind of subtlety nobody else can.

The scenes with his wife, played Urvashi; his son and daughter are easily some of the best moments of the movie.

The story of Manoranjan and the scenes from the eighth century unfold simultaneously. The story shifts between superstar Manoranjan and the talented actor he is. It shifts between someone who is on the brink of death and someone who has been successfully dodging it. It shifts between mortality and stardom. What's important for any actor is that he's remembered even after he's gone.

In the end, when Manoranjan is taken inside for surgery, we see the climax of the movie within the movie. Superstar Manoranjan battles for his life inside the operation room and at the same time we see Uttaman successfully defeating the king.

In an earlier scene, Manoranjan requests Margadarshi to allow him to complete the last shot of the movie before he's taken for surgery. As Mano leaves in a wheel chair, Margadarshi promises to edit and show the film to him soon in the hospital.

Call it irony, but it reminded me of the time when Mr Balachander was on his hospital bed and speaking to Kamal Haasan, who was busy with the post-production work of the movie in Los Angeles. When Kamal Haasan had asked Mr Balachander if he wanted him to come visit him, he was told not to return without completing pending work. Kamal Haasan didn't get a chance to bid adieu to Balachander; and in the movie Margadarshi doesn't get a chance to bid adieu to Manoranjan.

I would never like writing a review for this film, but seeing the first review, I thought it might mislead viewers and here is my perspective, and I'd like to go one by one: 1.The Story by Kamal Haasan is a class apart. Breaking away from traditional ones, this is about a filmstar, his life - highs and lows, his morality and mortality.Several themes are woven into one. The story is one that we never feel can be artificial. But so much stuff is put into this film that the complete essence of it cannot be captured in one view.

2.The Screenplay, which does transitions between the 21st and 8th century parts, has a lot of significance. Each transition, scene, frame and dialogue has inner meaning that has to be discovered.

3.Direction is good, if not fantastic. A lot of detailing is done in each scene and is a treat for observant eyes.

4.Acting - Kamal Haasan delivers his best. There is no lies in the emotions of his eyes in the Manoranjan he plays. They are very natural and subtle and no other actor could have pulled it off so effortlessly and perfectly. As Uttaman, his acting skills, expressions, dancing skills all are put on the screen. All the supporting ensemble cast - K.Vishwanath sir, Oorvasi, Pooja Kumar, Andrea, Parvathi Menon, KH's on screen son & Nasser do justice to their roles and waste no time. Special mention to K Balachander sir as Margadarshi and MS Bhaskar as Chokku. They just did something amazing!

5.Cinematography by Shamdutt is commendable in his job. In the song sequences, he does the best job...and anywhere else. His was another plus point in Uttama Villain.

6.This film is not a comedy. It is a wonderful emotional film that keeps you stuck to the screen but there is no melodrama. It has its own lighter moments which might not be appealing to all. Vfx could have been better.

This film is a masterpiece as there is intended subtlety at everything.It is very close to reality because no miracles or masala happen. Everyone has their role, the actors and the audience - We too take a part in it by feeling and connecting. While coming out of the theater, you shall have tears either in your heart or in your eyes - if you have properly experienced it. Finally it is up to you - to merely see the film and swear or experience and celebrate it!

The movie was very good. Kamal Hassan's acting was amazing. Songs and BGM was very good. The comedy in the movie were also good. The film is slow but the movie was amazing.