Virumandi

Virumandi is another masterpiece from genuis kamal.The way in which the story has been told is something amazing and very rarely you can see in Indian Cinema leave alone Tamil Cinema. I was very much depressed when films like Anbe Sivam and Hey Ram failed with people but hats off to kamal for his perseverance and hardwork and never giving up attitude to stage a great comeback in Virumandi and scripted a message in Film Industry that realistic and Quality films can also do well in box office. In my opinion currently Kamal is the best in Indian film Industry when it comes to making high quality films.Look at Virumandi - the way in which story being told with flawless screen play, powerful dialogues and aesthetic direction and utilising the technology to a fullest extent. I think his mentor Balachander should be proud of his student.

As an actor he has already proved that he is No 1 in the country and from film Direction point of view he is the process of taking Tamil/Indian cinema to International arena. Probably in years going forward we can witness a range of International awards being confered on this great artist.

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

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.

Kamalahassan has proved a point with this village based script. Though his acting is not his magnum opus, his direction and screen play skills shines through out the movie.He has done meticulous work in sketching the plot and in small details of the village set. Pasupathy, napolean have done a commendable job. Songs and background score gel well with the story. Slightly inspired by the Hollywood movie "Life of David Gale", the movie stood out as unusual good movie among the clichéd kollywood movies. Abirami has done her role well, adding a pinch of romance to the movie. The gruesome fight scenes though realistic adds a negative attribute to the movie. All in all its an exceptional movie of its time.

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