Kallai Mattum

''Dasavathaaram'' () is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language epic science fiction action film directed by K. S. Ravikumar, written by Kamal Haasan and produced by V. Ravichandran under Aascar Film Pvt. Ltd. It stars Kamal Haasan in ten distinct roles with Asin (in her penultimate Tamil film appearance and played in a dual roles), alongside an ensemble cast of Jaya Prada, Mallika Sherawat, K. R. Vijaya, Rekha Harris, Nagesh, P. Vasu, Raghuram, Napoleon and M. S. Bhaskar. In the film, a biotechnology scientist named Govind is forced to steal a vial containing a deadly bioweapon from his corrupt boss, who intended to sell it to a terrorist nation, and keep it contained. During that, Govind is hunted by an American mercenary named Christian Fletcher, an Indian police officer named Balram Naidu and a set of dark events. Several other people also get involved in Govind's journey and all their stories connect after the striking of 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, thus bringing philosophical views into the picture. The film incorporates numerous themes and philosophies, such as existence of God,
Vaishnavism, casteism, determinism, chaos theory and butterfly effect.

The film, which had been under production for nearly three years, was distributed by V. Ravichandran. Primary filming locations included the United States and across Tamil Nadu in India. The songs were composed by Himesh Reshammiya, while the background score was composed by Devi Sri Prasad. The cinematography and editing were handled by Ravi Varman and K. Thanigachalam respectively.

After delays in post-production, ''Dasavathaaram'' was released on 13 June 2008 in around 1300 prints worldwide and received positive reviews from critics. Though its Hindi version was an average success, the film was a massive success at the box-office. ''Dasavathaaram'' is the first South indian and Tamil movie to surpass 200 crore worldwide box-office gross.

Plot

A prologue, set in the 12th century, where Rangarajan Nambi, a devout Vaishnavite, resists King Kulothunga II's efforts to desecrate a Vishnu idol. Nambi is executed by drowning, along with the idol, setting a thematic backdrop for the story.

In 2004, Govindarajan Ramaswamy, an Indian scientist in the U.S., is working on a bio-weapon—a synthetic virus. When a lab monkey dies after ingesting the virus, Govind realizes the threat it poses. After discovering that his superior, Dr. Sethu, plans to sell the virus to terrorists, Govind flees with the vial. During a scuffle, the vial is mistakenly shipped to India.

Christian Fletcher, a mercenary ex-CIA agent hired to retrieve the vial, kills several people in pursuit, including Govind's friend Sairam and Sairam's wife Yuka. Govind follows the package to Chidambaram, where it ends up with an elderly woman, Krishnaveni, who unknowingly hides it inside a Vishnu idol. Govind's attempts to retrieve it are complicated by Fletcher's pursuit, the local police, and Krishnaveni's devout granddaughter, Andal, who believes he is trying to steal the idol.

Multiple subplots unfold: Fletcher's translator-wife and partner-in-crime, Jasmine, is killed during a skirmish involving a rogue elephant; Japanese martial artist Shingen arrives to avenge his sister Yuka's death at Fletcher's hands; and RAW officer Balram Naidu investigates Govind's activities. Along the way, Govind and Andal encounter various characters, including social activist Vincent Poovaraghan and a Muslim family headed by the towering Khalifulla.

The vial is accidentally switched with a medicine cooler belonging to singer Avatar Singh, who is being treated for throat cancer. Eventually, Fletcher takes hostages, demanding the virus in exchange. After a series of chases and confrontations—including one at Avatar's concert—the vial ends up back in the idol.

Govind attempts to neutralize the virus by immersing it in the ocean after finding out that sodium chloride weakens it. A fight breaks out at a construction site between Govind and Fletcher, with Shingen intervening. Fletcher swallows the virus but dies as a massive tsunami hits the coast. The natural disaster wipes out the threat, killing Fletcher and causing widespread destruction.

Govind, Andal, and others survive. Andal believes the tsunami was divine intervention, but Govind maintains a rationalist view, questioning the morality of such devastation as a means of salvation. They then profess their love for each other.

Govind is honored for his efforts with an event, attended by world leaders, and a final glimpse of Nambi's idolized remains washed ashore.

Cast

Production

Pre-production

Kamal Haasan came up with an original storyline and approached a number of directors, including Gautham Vasudev Menon to direct it, when K. S. Ravikumar accepted the offer. It began soon after the announcement of '' Sivaji: The Boss'' starring Rajinikanth. Ravikumar and Kamal Haasan came together for the fourth time following their three previous successful ventures, ''Avvai Shanmughi'', ''Thenali'' and '' Panchatanthiram''.

Development

V. Ravichandran signed up to produce the venture securing distribution rights in the process. Pyramid Film Fund had an exposure of 50 percent in the project.

Following nearly a year of pre-production, deciding the cast and the locations, the film began its first schedule on 11 September 2006.

Casting

Over the course, of the production more supporting actors were added to the film, the first being Napoleon, who was signed up to portray a king in the film. Other veteran actors, Jaya Prada, Nagesh, P. Vasu, K. R. Vijaya and M. S. Bhaskar as well as a bevy of American supporting actors were roped into essay other small roles in the film. Actors, Jayaram and Vadivelu opted out of the film during the production of the project, citing date problems.

Filming

A preliminary schedule took place before the start of the film, which featured no filming, but only the make-up tests, lasting for 25 days in the USA. The make-up used for Kamal's characters proved to create difficulties. It took nine hours to implement the make-up and it failed to stay for a long period of time. To compensate for that, he had to rest and take fluids using a straw and at the same time, refrain from making movement in the facial muscles to make sure that it was not disturbed.

Major portions of the films were shot extensively in overseas locations which included the US, Tokyo, Malaysia and Thailand. The film's final shoot occurred on 8 October 2007 at Uthandi, a coastal village.

Music

The film was originally announced with A. R. Rahman as the music director of the film. However he opted out of the project owing to schedule clashes. Kamal, who quickly wanted the tunes, roped in Himesh Reshammiya, for whom ''Dasavathaaram'' became his Tamil film debut and only Tamil film to date. The background score was composed by Devi Sri Prasad. As the film demanded a "stylish and western" quality of music, two reels of music were initially composed and tested. A two-and-a-half-minute theme song was later composed for the promos. The background music in the second half consisted of extensive usage of violins and chorus and the entire score for the film was recorded over a period of one month, in Chennai.

The soundtrack was released on 25 April 2008 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, which became the largest audio launch for a south Indian film. Prominent film personalities across the world attended the event, with Jackie Chan, in his first such appearance, being Hollywood's ambassador for the function. Other prominent regional Indian artistes such as Amitabh Bachchan, Mammootty, Vijay and Madhavan attended the launch. The then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi, attended the event. The event saw overcrowding and the Chennai Police employed lathi charge on the streets to regain control. The event hosted by Shobana, was attended by all the artistes of the film apart from producer V. Ravichandran, who avoids attending public events. The soundtrack album was acquired by Sony BMG, purchasing their first Tamil film, for a record of .

''Rediff'', however, gave 2 out of 5 stars and concluded that the album was "a mediocre listening experience."

Release

Theatrical

The film was delayed for multiple times when scheduled for a release in 2007 and also in Pongal 2008, due to extensive post-production works and in February 2008, V. Ravichandran announced that Dasavaatharam will be released worldwide 08 in the eve of Tamil New Year weekend. But due to the success of inaugural Indian Premier League season, the release of the film along with Suriya's ''Vaaranam Aayiram'', scheduled for May 2008 release, was put on hold till 1 June 2008, the date when the tournament is concluded. In late May 2008, the makers announced the release date as 13 June 2008 along with Telugu dubbed version, However, the Hindi dubbed version was postponed to 27 June 2008. The film was shown subsequently to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi, by the request of the producer on 8 June 2008.

Distribution

Sony Pictures India distributed the film in North India, whilst Ayngaran International sold the film to cinema halls in the United Kingdom, Singapore and the Gulf. Canadian rights for the film were bought by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, becoming the first distributional venture of an Indian film by the production house.

The film released worldwide with 1,300 prints in all the respective languages. Tamil Nadu had 275 prints, and Karnataka had 80, with 190 prints released overseas. The Hindi version ''Dashavtar'' had an unusually high 410 prints in North India. The Telugu version had 260 prints in Andhra Pradesh including 45 prints in Nizam region. The film opened in 25 screens in Hyderabad. The Malayalam version had 85 prints in Kerala.

Marketing

The film's theatrical trailer was released publicly on 23 April 2008, a day after it was shown to special guests, which included M. Karunanidhi at a screen. The first exclusive screening of the film, prior to release, was held on the morning of the audio launch on 25 April 2008, to visiting guests Jackie Chan, Amitabh Bachchan, Mammootty and Vijay, all of whom were full of praise for the film.

Home media

The satellite rights of Tamil version of the film were sold to Kalaignar TV for 4.5 crore.

Legal issues

Assistant director Senthil Kumar filed a case against the film at the Madras High Court. He claimed to have created the story of ''Dasavathaaram'', in a script titled, ''Ardhanari alias Clones'', and that Kamal Haasan and V. Ravichandran had "stolen" the script and left him out of the credits, violating the copyright act. On the basis of this complaint, the Chennai police queried the actor and later accepted his explanation with the high court sending notices to Kamal Haasan and the producer V. Ravichandran announcing an interim stay on the release of the film. The film was allowed to continue with its schedules, but the case was delayed till in 2007. However, in September 2007, the Court dismissed the petition of Senthil Kumar in the case, clearing the legal hurdles for the film.

Following the audio launch on 25 April 2008, Mallika Sherawat received a police complaint against the donning of improper attire at a film function. Hindu Makkal Katchi, a splinter group of the Hindu Munnani, lodged a complaint with the police, saying that Sherawat's attire at the function to release audio-CDs of ''Dasavathaaram'', in which Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had been present, had "hurt the sentiments of Hindus". The actress was accused of wearing a mini-skirt and exposing her back in front of the chief minister.

The charges were cleared on 29 May 2008 insisting that ''Dasavathaaram'' did not portray Hindu culture in bad light.

Reception

Box office

India

''Dasavathaaram'' completed a 100-day run on 20 September 2008 in four screens in Chennai.

The Chennai Corporation had given the producer special permission to hold five shows daily, which helped the film to garner the extraordinary opening. In the second weekend too, the film registered at least 95% at multiplexes and 80% in single screens. The film grossed from 17 screens in Chennai in the opening weekend. The film grossed all over Tamil Nadu on its first weekend. It grossed outside South India in the three-day weekend. The film grossed in a fortnight in Mayajaal multiplex. In Sathyam Cinemas multiplex, the film grossed in a fortnight. The film stayed at No.1 position in Chennai box office for five consecutive weeks.

The Hindi version ''Dashavtar'', that was released after almost one year opened to a 5–10% response. ''Dashavtar'' netted in six weeks in North India and was declared as an average success. The Malayalam version of the film grossed in Kerala in the first week.

Other territories

''Dasavathaaram'' grossed $4,632,719 and was ranked No.7 in the opening week, becoming the first Tamil film to reach the Top 10 at the International box office. In Malaysia, the film opened in second place, having collected $601,000 from 58 screens on the opening weekend and $1,720,780 in nine weeks.

The film grossed ₹200 crore (US$ million) worldwide, and is currently one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of all time.

Critical response

''Dasavathaaram'' received positive reviews from critics, with critical acclaim on the performances of Kamal Haasan as the ten characters, script, music, narration, and concepts used in the film. Although some critics felt that the plot was little bit confusing and that Kamal Haasan's ten roles were forced, with only four or five relevant to the plot and the film's CGI received mixed response.

On the contrary, ''Rediff'' praised the film as "spectacular" and a "superhuman effort", rating it with 4 out of 5 stars. The reviewer concluded that the film will "go down in the history of Indian cinema as a unique experiment in the commercial circuit". ''Sify'' called the film "average", stating that it would "fall short of the huge expectation and hype it had generated." The reviewer also criticised the make-up, lamenting that "Kamal's prosthetic makeup, especially as George Bush, Fletcher and Khan, is a bit of a dampener" but claimed that Brian Jennings's special effects, "mainly of the climax Tsunami scene, are a top-class by Indian standards". The reviewer praised cinematographer Ravi Varman, noting: " emay take a bow, as his camerawork is glossy and superb", but noted that some of Haasan's characters like Avatar Singh and Khalifullah Khan were "unnecessarily stitched together to make it a perfect 10."

T S Sudhir of ''NDTV'' wrote, "Dasavathaaram, unfortunately, remains just a film with its USP of 10 Kamals. This Kamal does not blossom the way he did in Indian or Nayakan, Appu Raja, Mahanadi, Avvai Shanmughi or in Thevar Magan" and further stated, "One of the best in the business falters with the film's story and screenplay." Nikhat Kazmi of ''The Times of India'' rated the film 2.5 out of 5 and said, "EXPERIMENTS aren't always successful. Like Dasavatharam, Kamal Haasan's ambitious venture sees him playing ten roles which include a take on George Bush too. Daring, we'd like to insist; only the make-up and the fake appearance borders more on the comic." The ''Deccan Herald'' said, "The ten roles are awfully disparate: they are more like pantomime characters. Kamal appears too flabby and jaded. Sorry, Appu Raja (or shall we say Michael, Madana, Kamarajan) it's time you start being your age. From start to finish there is a severe decibel assault aided and abetted by Himesh Reshammiya."

Malathi Rangarajan of ''The Hindu'' said, "The film would have worked even better had the narrative been tauter and more purposive post-interval" but concluded, "All in all, Dasavathaaram shows that Kamal Haasan has once again taken great pains to make his cinematic projects convincing. The effort has paid off." ''Ananda Vikatan'' rated the film 43 out of 100.

Accolades

Cancelled spin-off

A spin off film '' Sabaash Naidu'', based on this film's character Balaram Naidu, the police officer, was planned but eventually dropped due to financial issues.

Notes

References

Bibliography

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External links

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