Virumandi

The movie is too rooted in the culture of south Tamil Nadu for it to receive universal acclaim. Non-Tamil Speakers, Urban Tamil folks might have serious difficulty understanding the language and culture depicted in the film.

The movie is about a brash, honest, foolish bumpkin who is caught up in the politics of two warring villages. The rivalry between castes, which is a highlight of South Indian politics, has been etched out neatly.

The jail riot scenes remind you of Natural Born Killers vaguely but the jail set, actors and dialogues fit to the T. The capital punishment angle seems a tad bit forced into the movie as the movie doesn't really have anything to do with capital punishment apart from the cameo by a former Indian Judge. That apart, Virumaandi is one of the finest movies to have made it to Indian screens.

The Pros: Brilliant acting, Clever dialogues, Interesting narration, Good Music The Cons: Made for a very niche audience

Great editing, music, photography, and screenplay. The movie and the scenes are very consistent as the movie progresses with multiple versions of the same story. Each one of supporting actors have done a stunning job. The movie has mined some interesting new talent.

A typical combination of great story telling, a worthy message, remarkable acting, music, cast.. no wonder he's a legend in world cinema The first time i saw this movie, was a theater with no special sound effects. The entire picture was noisy and the dialogues were not clear. Real sounds were recorded in the shooting spot for this movie, which had made this impact.

But then when i got to watch it for the second time in a good theatre.. i was awe struck by the minute details that were hidden within the scenes.

Kudos to Kamal Haasan!! I'd invariably give a 10/10

I was watching this movie in Bombay on cable nearly 6 yrs after its release. I was blown to smithereens.Its so far ahead of its time. I kinda guessed this must have been directed by some genius( later i found out it was Kamal himself). Now, i'm a guy who watches very few Tamil movies ( cos they are very unrealistic, for my liking( i mean no offence) In my college days I watched Mahanadhi, what a classic that was. I bow to u Kamal sir, if u r reading this. I bow to the editor/ sync-sound /sound designers. Even though the use of violence is wrong , its completely justified in this movie.

Very sleek,stylized.

Mr.Kumar.Y has mentioned things that are unfair and untrue to 'Virumandi'. Firstly, the 3 POV storytelling familiarized by Kurosowa, had been used in many films around the world and was used long back in Tamil cinema By Director S.Balachander in the Sivaji Ganesan starer 'Andha Naal'(1954). It was just a tool adapted by Kamal Hassan, to convey a story that is rustic & real.

Its untrue to say Kurosawa's Roshomon had the same concept of that of Virumandi. Each had the story that was true and real to their soils and had just obvious similarities that can be between any two films.

"Its a great movie but for the trumped up violence..." ..and this too is unjust. No where is the violence been glorified or pushed in cheaply. Instead if observed in a right sense and taste all the gore is justified and raw truths.

To make it straight, this one of the honest films made ever in Indian Cinema. A superior cinema that was well received with masses too.

Hats off & 8.5/10