Veerappan

wogma rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do (?)

quick review:

Better than some RGV products. Yes, that isn't saying much in favor of the film.

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Director: Ram Gopal Varma
Running time: 125 minutes
More Movie Info

It suffers from the usual trappings of a RGV film – loud background music, weird camera angles of props that make them look unnecessarily spooky, lots of slow-mo, awful performances. On the other hand though, we get regular breaks from each of the above. Ok, except for the awful performances. I would've added that the silver lining is that it has an intriguing story but you are never allowed to connect with the characters and the narration is not gripping enough to engage you otherwise.

For one, whenever you could be a part of the plot, you are distanced. Discussions between characters are muted under loud music. You are left looking at characters animatedly moving their lips at each other with over-enthusiastic expressions. This doesn't happen just once or twice, but is a regular feature.

Beyond that then, it is plotting and failings from both sides that make both Veerappan and the police officer look sinister. In fact, at times the police officer comes across as gruesome and manipulative. While this could be viewed as an attempt at striking a balance, the police officers are justified a little too often. Also, you never get too close to the details anyway.

The funniest bit is I found myself giving Veerappan, the film a few marks because it wasn't as much of a disasterous two hours as I expected it to be. That unfortunately, isn't really speaking for the film now, is it?

- meeta, a part of the audience

23 reviewers(?) - 3 yays 8 so-so 12 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice : ...This film is certainly not for the squeamish or the weak at heart. But for those who are familiar with Ram Gopal Varma’s appetite for the abominable, Veerappan is just the beast to grab at your nearest theatre. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...Still, the film is mostly gripping, sensational and involving. Veerappan’s story with his spectacular rise and fall was a big one. The film does it justice. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Jyothi Venkatesh, Star Blockbuster : ...Last Word:With its unconventional and extremely well- narrated story line and Ramgopal Varma’s eyes for detailing, though everyone today knows everything about Veerappan, the film will be patronized by a niche segment of the audience, though not by the gentry.... full review

So-So, by Anna MM Vetticad, annavetticadgoes2themovies : ...In certain aspects of storytelling then, this is a film that cannot be ignored. It is however hard to get past the poor acting by Joshi and Ray and that overly loud background score. I kept imagining this film in my head with the same director, but with music at a lower volume, starring Adil Hussain or Kay Kay Menon and Tabu in the roles played by Joshi and Ray. What excellent co-stars they could have made to the very talented Sandeep Bharadwaj. Too late for that of course. ... full review

So-So, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...Summing up, this is neither any century nor a 50 hit by our not-in-form famous batsman. But it isn’t a duck either and the man does score a good 30-40 runs showing that he has still not lost the touch and is bound to get back soon in the coming years. ... full review

So-So, Bollywood Hungama : ...On the whole, VEERAPPAN has violence that may seem a bit over the top for a certain segment of audience. With its unconventional and extremely well-narrated story line and Ram Gopal Varma's trademark filmmaking skills VEERAPPAN will most likely be patronized by a niche segment of the audience. ... full review

So-So, by Rohit Vats, Hindustan Times : ...The basic idea is to present it as a morally ambiguous story where the good can also use evil means, but that isn’t enough. Having said that, this 126-minute film has pace and a narrative technique which may give you a glimpse of RGV’s old charm. But, the mojo isn’t completely back yet.... full review

So-So, by Shubha Shetty-Saha, MiD DAY : ...Sachiin Joshi makes an attempt to look and act the role he plays, but then the attempt shows more than the talent. Sandeep Bharadwaj as Veerappan and Jadhav as Mutthulakshmi are perfectly cast and they both do a convincing job of it. ... full review

So-So, by Namrata Joshi, The Hindu : ...Usha also stands out because she acts with her mind and soul while the actress on the opposite end, Lisa, only lets her plumped up lips do all the talking, that too with an odd, speeded up cartoon-like touch. Quite a bit of the film is the tale of these two women. Wish it had remained so. ... full review

So-So, by Meena Iyer, Times of India : ...In all fairness, Sandeep brings Veerappan alive and the National Award winner Usha as Muthulakshmi is convincing. Though not in top form, RGV does redeem himself to some degree. And his film does allow you to get up, close and personal with the notorious criminal who made a monkey of the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments, because he knew the loopholes in the system. ... full review

So-So, Zee News : ...John Stewart Eduri's effusive background score is brilliantly layered with the visuals by Editor Anwar Ali. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Sreeju Sudhakaran, Bollywood Life : ...Veerappan may be a let down if everyone expected this to be on lines with Band Queen or Paan Singh Tomar. However, there is a still a reason to smile here as we get to see the signs of RGV’s lost brilliance. If it was not for the lifeless performances from most of the cast and the silly BG score, this would have been a better film. ... full review

Thumbs down, by ARNAB BANERJEE, Deccan Chronicle : ...Indeed, the numerous, unflinchingly filmed scenes of several killings make this a visceral, if gruelling experience, especially when juxtaposed with vistas of the Indian deserts and mountain ranges. But overall it isn’t impactful. RGV… We are waiting for sequels to Satya. Or Company! ... full review

Thumbs down, by Zinia Bandyopadhyay, Desi Martini : ...RGV, you really put in a good effort out there. But I really wish you would have had little smarter and better cast who could have done justice to the roles you were giving them, like Sandeep and Usha Jadhav(as Veerappan’s wife Muthulakshmi), and taken care of a few things here and there. It’s a good plot and good effort wasted! ... full review

Thumbs down, by Bryan Durham, DNA : ...For someone still reeling from the after-effects of watching Not A Love Story (never mind that RGV had a string of could-have-beens after that), this comes as an opportunity to prove us wrong, wasted. Where have all the Shivas, Satyas, Sarkars and Shools gone? ... full review

Thumbs down, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...It's not the worst film Ram Gopal Varma has made. Nor is it any close to his best. It's just a middle-of-the-road offering where seeing an actor look like the mirror image of Veerappan catches your fancy for a few fleeting moments. Once the illusion withers away, there's really nothing to hold on to. ... full review

Thumbs down, by RAJEEV MASAND, FirstPost : ...Varma takes frequent liberties with the truth in this remake of his own Kannada film Killing Veerappan, but what you leave the cinema with at the end are shattered eardrums from the incessant background music. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...What really gets to you is the background score that goes boom, boom, boom, every time there is an action scene in the jungle, some jungle scenes, or scenes where not much is happening. RGV tries to hit out at you, any which way. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Ananya Bhattacharya, india today : ...At the end of the day, Veerappan is hardly the redemption Ram Gopal Varma could have hoped for. It is 2.5 hours of unbearable torture.... full review

Thumbs down, by Jaidev Hemmady, Movie Talkies : ...Though Varma has tried to stay as close to the truth as possible with regards to the film, Veerappan is bereft of any thrill factor, which would have made the viewer sit on the edge of his seat to see what happens next. ... full review

Thumbs down, by KUnal Guha, Mumbai Mirror : ...It's upsetting that Ram Gopal Varma fans have to put up with this. Even the very few and far between visual flourishes are merely reminders of an auteur that was. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...If the ear-splitting background score is bad enough, the fidgety camerawork is a strain on the eyes. This film is another reminder: it is time to launch a manhunt for the Ram Gopal Varma that Bollywood watchers once knew. Or, else, let us just move on just as Hindi cinema has done from the heydays of the gangster flick... full review

Thumbs down, by Raja Sen, Rediff : ...It may well be a misfire, but Veerappan shows that at least RGV has his eyes open while squeezing the trigger. The dacoit is still at large. ... full review

19 tweeters(?) - 12 yays 6 so-so 1 nays

WatsonNaveen: Lovely movie! Must watch https://t.co/xB3VDMKARB … RGV BackWithABang

sonalichauhan1: Rgv Showed that he is best in Crime based Films,Veerappan a Must watch RGV BackWithABang

rohan_parsekar: Veerappan as a movie in depth detail of the criminal. RGV BackWithABang

mamolikumar: Superb acting by the on screen Veerappan. Very nice! RGV BackWithABang

JaaneDeBe: RGV BackWithABang No one would miss to watch veerappan awesome movie

iAm_Sangam: Awesome movie! Every scene counted. RGV BackWithABang #Veerappan

Harpree04274931: Amazing movie veerappan aap movie dekh key aaogey to bi rat bhar sapne mey veerappan hoga 1 seen ko chor do best film hey yeh thx ramgopal

D_D_great: must not miss it out! Veerappan RGV BackWithABang

ChipuSultan: Do not miss to book your tickets and watch the movie this weekend. RGV BackWithABang https://t.co/crEaJdk9uU

Chidiyagiri: Loved Veerappan! Every scene kept me glued. Lovely man! RGV BackWithABang

bhavya_goradia: #Veerappan ravan ko kya jawab dega!!!! Justt awesome one !!!!! @ramgopalverma20

AmritaNayak3: Veerappan was entertaining.

TheNehalSarda: #MyReview : Glimpse of #RGV’s old charm. But, he isn’t completely back yet. 2/5Stars.. #Veerappan... @RGVzoomin #FanForever..

shashank_shk: Watched #Veerappan. The movie could have been much better if #RGV had chosen a cast who could act.

ravi1964: टाइम पास फिल्म है सिर्फ आप संदीप भारद्वाज के लिये देख सकते हैं. https://t.co/NF134Nn6BZ

pawanism_dnk: #Veerappan - 2.75/5 @RGVzoomin https://t.co/XknTbNDnip

e6d4c2027fd7488: veerappan is good one.wonderful making.only comnunication gap between audience and veera.

anubhav_narval: कुछ ख़ामियाँ हैं लेकिन फिल्म ठीक है। और अच्छी हो सकती थी अगर बड़े कलाकार फिल्म में होते। वीरप्पन का किरदार अच्छा निभाया है। #Veerappan

bhushanagarwal1: Sometimes we end up seeing CHUTIYAPA #Veerappan Worst movie @RGVzoomin stop fooling people now.

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This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: Loads
  • Language: Abusive language silenced out
  • Nudity & Sexual content: None
  • Concept: True life account of the police's encounters with ruthless extortionist, Veerappan
  • General Look and Feel: Nothing out of the ordinary.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

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Veerappan - Cast, crew, links

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Running time:
125 minutes
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