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Kamal’s “kamaal” no less here

Photo: G. Moorthy

Mammoth Unusually orderly

“Fast, fast….it’s already 2.10 p.m. We should not miss a single shot. He will make his entry at the most unsuspecting moment.” Before you are able to hear out the entire conversation, three girls overtake you in a city theatre. Their hurry is understandable. The long wait is finally over. The suspense has ended. And who can prevent the film loving people of Madurai from enjoying a movie that has generated expectations much more than ever before.

But what is to be noted is there is no mad rush either at the entrance or the counter. An orderly queue follows after coughing up at least Rs. 100 per person (it is Rs.150 on weekends). Inside the theatre you are free to sit anywhere. “Choose your seat,” whispers the usher in the dark. As the light falls on the screen, there is a tangible silence. The credits come. Silence continues. And then he appears, the hero. There is a spontaneous reaction from the audience – a standing ovation. However, it is brief because people are keen to follow the storyline.

Silence descends again occasionally punctuated with whistles. It is the audience which is unusually orderly. As the movie progresses, the viewer slides to the edge of the seat and many prefer the aisle to stand and watch. Without doubt, ‘Dasavatharam’ has made the Madurai moviegoer stand up.

The usual Madurai welcome -- accorded to such films -- has been on a low key. There were ‘palabishekams’ here and there but sans the noise and colour. Not all those who come to see the movie are hardcore Kamal Haasan fans. Many come just to enjoy its epic dimensions and admire the technology involved.

T. Kiruba Rani, a lecturer from Aruppukottai says: “The chase involving Kamal Haasan and Asin with the idol of ‘Perumal’ reminds us of Da Vinci Code’s Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu.”

“It is one of the kinds of movie and it will be one of its kind,” says K. Kamatchi, a medical student. “Though it seems magical in certain places leaving out logic, the hero has successfully balanced the film,” she says.

“Movie buffs, whether young or old, seem to be on a roll with ‘Dasavatharam.’ It has a message for everyone. It rather allows you to think and rationalise before running into conclusions,” says 60-year-old retired government employee S. Samidoss.

Mr. Samidoss says that he wanted to watch the film just out of interest given the media hype since 2005. His only concern is that he had to shell out Rs.200 on tickets from his pension money.

“To believe or not to believe in God, that is the question that dominates my mind. The place where Gods live, as per my grand mother’s stories, is now monitored by satellites,” says 23-year-old K. Madhanakaran, a house broker, who came to watch the movie for the third time to grasp its nuances.

“Brahmandam,’ ’brahmandam’ and ’brahmandam,’ what more can you say about the film," is the reaction of A. Merwyn Jasper Ruben, a research scholar in Physics.

“The film is mammoth in every aspect. Be it technical or record number of characters or style or plot or even for subtle jokes,” he notes. “Kamal has given you a bouquet of thoughts. You take whatever you want,” he says.

“Dasavathram is certainly a magnum opus but it is not reaching many due to the exorbitant ticket rates,” worries M. Azhagar, Madurai district president of Kamalahasan Narpani Iyyakkam. The film is being screened in six theatres in Madurai. If a small family of four goes for the movie, it has to spend at least Rs.600 on tickets. If you want to reserve a ticket, you need to spend an extra Rs.25. The Rs.75 ticket costs Rs.100 in certain theatres.

“If the authorities step in to regulate the collections, the film is sure to draw more crowds,” Mr. Azhagar feels.

Costly yes. But definitely a worthy watch.

S.ANNAMALAI AND S.S.KAVITHA

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