viswaroopam movie review in english

Viswaroopam Review

Posted January 25th, 2013, 12:48 PM IST

Rating: 3.75 /5

Cast: Kamal Haasan, Rahul Bose, Pooja Kumar, Andrea Jeremiah, Shekhar Kapur, Nasser and Others
Music: Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy
Cinematography: Sanu Varghese
Dialogues: Vennelakanti (Telugu dubbed version)
Story-Screenplay-direction: Kamal Haasan
Producer: Kamal Haasan, PVP Pictures (Telugu version)
Release date: 25th January 2013

Amidst all those hurdles, protests and court orders, Kamal Haasan’s magnum opus 'Viswaroopam’ finally managed to hit screens today all over India except Tamilnadu. Let us see what controversies this movie is raking or what is its main intention.

The CONTENT

Viswanathan (Kamal) is a dance teacher who is married to an younger girl, nuclear oncologist Dr Nirupama (Pooja Kumar) and they both don’t maintain any physical relation. When Nirupama wants to get into an affair with her boss Deepak, she thinks of divorcing her dancer husband and appoints a detective to find out if Viswanath is seeing any other lady. Shockingly the detective finds out that Viswanath is a muslim and accidentally dies in the hands of some terrorists residing in Newyork. Those terrorists finally lock out Viswanath and Nirupama, and it is revealed that Viswanath is a Jehadi terrorist Wasim Kashmiri from Hyderabad, AP and had a secret past in Afghanistan along with terrorist boss Omar (Rahul Bose). What interesting turn the story takes after a bomb is about to explode in New York city and who this Kashmiri is in reality, forms out the rest of story.  

The EFFORT:

On-Screen:

Both as dancer Vishwanath who got some feminine touch to his charactersitics and as Jehadi terrorist WasimKashmiri, legendary actor Kamal Haasan rocks the show. His timed expressions are a treat to watch and at places his one-liner dialogues makes you laugh louder.

In the role of terrorist boss Omar, Rahul Bose excelled once again. His quality acting like a devoted terrorist waging war against USA depicts as if he is really waging war.

All other characters played by Pooja Kumar, Andrea Jeremiah, Sekhar Kapur and Nasser have parts to display their talent and they did well. The dubbing given to Pooja Kumar sounds different, like a matured woman’s voice for an young chick, but attracts youths.

Off-Screen:

Once again Kamal Haasan proved the fact that his storylines and intellectual thinking are at par with Hollywood makers. For 'Viswaroopam’ his perfect setting of Afghanistan and the training camps of Jehadis are completely beleivable and look real. Kamal’s research on how a terrorist network works, how FBI works and how some dreaded men are making use of available stuff to make bombs deserves a mention.

Cinematography handled by Sanu Verghese fits perfectly into the bill. For guys who love Hollywood kind of work, Viswaroopam is a treat to watch with this cameraman exploring Afghanistan locales and US Airforce bombing scenes magnificiently. Camera angles focus on narrating the story rather giving buildup to hero. While watching this international subject in a realistic setting, you never understand which technican has done what. Mainly art-director and background score guys need a big applause as they make you focus on subject thouroughly with their stunning effort.

The PLUSES:

    ·  Brilliant story of a spy that is often seen in Hollywood movies.
    ·  Characterization of Kamal and Rahul Bose as people from same religion (Islam) and       fighting   for a cause from different persepectives, say it good and bad.
    ·  Thrilling screenplay that gives surprise every second, while revealing the past of Kamal Haasan.
    ·  Technical brilliance in action scenes which really takes Indian cinema to next level.

The MINUSES:

These kind of films should not be seen with an 'eye' that watches regular mass-masala Telugu films. But yes, general movie goer gives value for the ticket money he spends and there are few glitches in 'Viswaroopam' too.

    · At parts, the films looks quite slow due to the non-linear screenplay technique used.
    · Kamal should have extended action-sequences to give a James Bond move kind of kick
    · Without any songs, movie looks completely monotonous

BREAKDOWN:

Kamal Haasan once again makes sure that his creativity is beyond the imagination of Indian audiences andsurprises you every moment.There is nothing controversial in the film as it just shows the two sides of coin. Like a Jamesbond film highlights Britain, Spielberg film highlights America, this Kamal’s movie has highlighted Indian spy system. Besides that, this legendary actor commands huge respect for his technical brilliance.

However, the movie might appeal only to urban and A-centre audiences, as there is no entertainment factor. And, adding entertainment in a movie like 'Viswaroopam' is like degrading the very meaning of creative intelligence. But the enormous budget mounted on this flick, is surely a risk, if Kamal aims only at Indian market.

The FINISHING Line: All masala haters, creativity lovers and Hollywood admirers, this is the movie you are waiting for to hit Indian screens. Go watch it!!!

Review By: Hapra