Dasavatharam (2008) is an ambitious cinematic experiment that rests entirely on the shoulders of Kamal Haasan’s "superhuman effort" in portraying ten distinct characters. While the film was a massive commercial success and a landmark in Indian technical filmmaking, its legacy is a mix of high-concept brilliance and uneven execution. The Good: A Technical Marvel The Concept: The film weaves a complex narrative connecting the 12th century to the 21st, using chaos theory and the "Butterfly Effect" to link ten seemingly unrelated characters. Performance: Kamal Haasan’s dedication is undeniable. From the scientist Govind to the Japanese martial artist Shinghen Narahazi and the villainous Christian Fletcher, the sheer variety of roles is a masterclass in versatility. Visual Scope: For its time, it was the costliest Indian film ever made. The climax, featuring a massive tsunami sequence, was widely praised for its top-class special effects by Indian standards. The Bad: Pacing and Prosthetics Overstuffed Narrative: At over three hours, critics felt the movie became "stretched" and some characters (like the Afghan guy or the music composer) felt unnecessary to the primary plot of recovering a biochemical vial. Mixed VFX/Makeup: While the scope was grand, the prosthetic makeup—specifically for characters like George W. Bush—was often criticized as looking "fake" or "comic". Screenplay Clutter: Some reviewers felt the ten roles were "forced" together to meet the gimmick of a "perfect 10," which occasionally hampered the flow of the racy thriller narrative. Verdict Rating: 3.5/5 Dasavatharam is essential viewing for fans of Kamal Haasan and those interested in high-budget Indian cinema history. It is a "spectacular experiment" that succeeds in its grand vision even if it falters in its technical finishing.
Index of "Dasavatharam" — Detailed Report Overview This report compiles a comprehensive index of content related to "Dasavatharam" (Tamil: தசாவதாரம்), focusing on the 2008 Tamil-language film directed by K. S. Ravikumar and starring Kamal Haasan in ten roles. It organizes entries for easy reference: characters, scenes, themes, production details, music cues, technical elements, critical reception, controversies, and related materials. Use this as a navigational guide for study, analysis, cataloging, or archival work.
1. Film Metadata
Title: Dasavatharam Language: Tamil (primary); dubbed versions: Telugu, Hindi (note differences) Release date: 2008 Director: K. S. Ravikumar Producer: A. M. Rathnam Writer (screenplay/dialogue): Kamal Haasan (screenplay elements), Kamal Haasan (concept) Music composer: Himesh Reshammiya (songs), Ramesh Vinayakam (background score arrangements — specify per cue) Cinematography: Ravi Varman Editing: K. Thanigachalam Production company: Sri Surya Movies Running time: Approx. 185–190 minutes (versions vary by region) Genres: Action, Thriller, Science fiction elements, Drama, Comedy Principal cast: Kamal Haasan (10 roles), Asin, Mallika Sherawat, Jayasudha, Tanikella Bharani, Nassar, Atul Kulkarni, K. R. Vijaya index of dasavatharam
2. Character Index (Kamal Haasan’s Ten Roles) For each role: name / brief description / distinctive traits / key scenes / costume/makeup notes / voice/accents / runtime presence.
Govind (Govindaraj or Govindarajan)
Role: Environmental activist / catalyst for film’s ecological subplot. Traits: Idealistic, earnest. Key scenes: Early activism sequences; confrontation scenes. Makeup/costume: Casual modern attire. Performance: Kamal Haasan’s dedication is undeniable
Rangaswamy (Rangasamy)
Role: Village elder / traditional persona. Traits: Folksy dialect, moral center in some scenes. Key scenes: Village sequences; advisory moments. Makeup: Prosthetics to age actor.
Christian Fletcher
Role: Historical/foreign character; pivotal antagonist in certain backstory sequences. Traits: Western accent, mannerisms. Key scenes: Flashbacks; exposition scenes. Costume: Period/foreign attire.
Tamizhselvan (Tamizharasan)