Uttama Villain (உத்தம வில்லன், 2015)
Another self over glorifying movie about Kamalhaasan. Unlike Papanasam where Kamal was in a simple role telling a simple story, he is in his usual larger than life persona here.
At the same time, I pick up the vibes of it being a satire of sorts, poking fun at the film industry. An actor is expected to be immortal donning the same role as he did from the start of his career, at the same time the age of the actresses remain the same. The apparent difference in age is comparable as father and daughter's!
Manoranjan (Kamalhaasan) is a famous movie-star who has the world has his feet as he performs age defying dance moves with his heroines. In his private life, he is different. He has an intimate relationship with his doctor and has an illegitimate child from an old girlfriend. He has an disgruntled teenage son and a fast food chomping oversized wife at home. Everything takes a turn went Manoranjan is diagnosed with inoperable advanced brain tumour. At the same time, the existence of the illegitimate child comes to fore.
As his end is near, he tries to make peace with all around him, his son, his wife, his daughter from his old flame and end the feud between his father-in-law and his old director, Margadarsi (late K Balachander). Not to forget his fans, he decided to make a comedy in a traditional style depicting himself as an immortal so that they can forever remember him as such.
The making of his swansong in the film forms a big part of the movie. It is actually a bold move as it may not appeal to general cinema going public as the spoken language is quite archaic and refined. This part of the dialogue, which was crafted by Kamalhaasan, was quite witty with clever word interplay to create a laughter or two. It tries to introduce the legend of the immortal young boy of Prahlada, a Vishnu devotee who escaped death repeatedly, the legend of a wicked one-eared king and his death in the hands of Narasimha. The climax of the movie is the final dance in Villupaatu tune using traditional instruments infused with philharmonic sounds and dances as done in Thayyum worship practiced in parts of Kerala and Karnataka.
The purpose of art is not just to entertain and give that 2 hour of satiety but to reflect upon our rich ancestral traditions that risk being forgotten. Villupaatu is a traditional entertainment using bow (villu) attached to bells as the main instrument with other percussions to narrate stories which carry social messages or stories. Theyyam worship used to be done by people of lower castes as their entry to temples was denied. Theyyam is their depiction of the Mother-Goddess. And by the way, villain is a Tamil word (வில்லன்) with the same meaning even dictionaries may say that it is Middle English origin! Uttaman denotes innocence, just the opposite. The title of film may hint that unlike characters in the screen who are so clear cut, people in life may end villains through their seemingly innocent actions or inactions. Just my take....
Another self over glorifying movie about Kamalhaasan. Unlike Papanasam where Kamal was in a simple role telling a simple story, he is in his usual larger than life persona here.At the same time, I pick up the vibes of it being a satire of sorts, poking fun at the film industry. An actor is expected to be immortal donning the same role as he did from the start of his career, at the same time the age of the actresses remain the same. The apparent difference in age is comparable as father and daughter's!
Manoranjan (Kamalhaasan) is a famous movie-star who has the world has his feet as he performs age defying dance moves with his heroines. In his private life, he is different. He has an intimate relationship with his doctor and has an illegitimate child from an old girlfriend. He has an disgruntled teenage son and a fast food chomping oversized wife at home. Everything takes a turn went Manoranjan is diagnosed with inoperable advanced brain tumour. At the same time, the existence of the illegitimate child comes to fore.
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| Villupaattu |
As his end is near, he tries to make peace with all around him, his son, his wife, his daughter from his old flame and end the feud between his father-in-law and his old director, Margadarsi (late K Balachander). Not to forget his fans, he decided to make a comedy in a traditional style depicting himself as an immortal so that they can forever remember him as such.
 |
| Theyyam worship |
The purpose of art is not just to entertain and give that 2 hour of satiety but to reflect upon our rich ancestral traditions that risk being forgotten. Villupaatu is a traditional entertainment using bow (villu) attached to bells as the main instrument with other percussions to narrate stories which carry social messages or stories. Theyyam worship used to be done by people of lower castes as their entry to temples was denied. Theyyam is their depiction of the Mother-Goddess. And by the way, villain is a Tamil word (வில்லன்) with the same meaning even dictionaries may say that it is Middle English origin! Uttaman denotes innocence, just the opposite. The title of film may hint that unlike characters in the screen who are so clear cut, people in life may end villains through their seemingly innocent actions or inactions. Just my take....
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