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.

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!

I have always been a big fan of KamalHaasan's writing more than his acting..And This movie proved a point yet again..The interest was clearly setup for me with Ghibran's terrific Background score and organic introduction of the protagonist(Manoranjan)..The story moves into a different dimension as it gradually progresses..Every character had an organic scope and beneath the story likes a "vision" that is kaleidoscopic. They are surely real time reflections of What Kamalhaasan is/was,What he has seen around him,his likes/dislikes of what happens around him is presented in a meta-est format.. If you can get "really" what the intro song duet conveys,you'll surely get to view more colors in the kaleidoscope..There is no justification/preaching but sheer presentation of reality less dramatically from the first shot till climax..I'm not a expert to judge technicalities but all i can say as a viewer is it was a "refreshing" cinematic experience that can never be got in anyone else's film except-"Kamal Haasan"

Our tamil audience don't know what is the good movie. they expect 5 songs, 5 mass fights and hero mass entries. otherwise they will make flop a movie. this film was great masterpiece in tamil cinema. if you are mature person and good taste in cinema, you will love this movie.

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.