Vishwaroop/Vishwaroopam
wogma rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do (?) - *Two disclaimers - I saw the Hindi version. I have never been a Kamal Haasan fan.*
Mountain out of a molehill - the ban that is. The film itself is a very average action flick attracting attention only because of Kamal Haasan. All Vishwaroop wants to say is, "My name is Khan, and I'm not a terrorist." His character that is.
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Two disclaimers - I saw the Hindi version. I have never been a Kamal Haasan fan.
It has been ages since I've seen a Kamal Haasan film. The only reason I chose to watch the film was the ban - my way of showing support. I had decided to watch the film even if the Hindi version wasn't playing in a theater close to me. Even if I didn't understand a word. Fortunately, there was a Hindi version I could catch. Only for me to find out how much sillier the ban is than I originally thought it was. The only group of people it speaks against is the Taliban/Jihadis/Mujahiddins. So, did I get this right? Making this group of people out as villains hurts sentiments? Whose? Vishwaroop is a very average action flick at best and shouldn't be considered any more than that.
I have never enjoyed Kamal Haasan's histrionics. He has always been a little over-the-top, caricaturish for my taste. The only thing I liked about Vishwaroop is Kamal Haasan's act, despite his effeminate act to induce laughter. Later in the film, he does make you believe about his reservations to the behavior of the people around him.
Unfortunately, the people around him are annoying caricatures that are annoying, especially Omar, the one enacted by Rahul Bose and oh yes, Nirupama, Vishwanath's wife played by Pooja Kumar. It didn't even look like it would be any better if here dubbing was better than that you see in English movies on TV. Only Jaideep Ahlawat seemed to be taking his role seriously.
It doesn't help that the film is forced into becoming a comedy because of some lame behavior by the members of the Taliban. The action except for the first sequence - which is pretty cool, especially because of the repetition - is pretty ordinary. The rest of the action tries to horrify based on gore, which doesn't work at all.
There was some potential of an engaging story when it delves into the lifestyle of the Jihadis' families. But soon you feel cheated because it is done only with the purpose getting you emotionally involved temporarily. Whatever interest is created fizzles out as the second half turns into the regular terrorism-based action flick. Let alone novel, it is pretty shoddily handled.
Almost everything about Vishwaroop seems superficial. The dots aren't connected well. And yes, you have been promised a Vishwaroop II.
And yet, I shall rephrase a Voltaire quote that is often repeated these days
I might not like what you have to say and how you say it, but I shall support your right to say it.
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by Githa Vanan, Bolly Spice : ...there is very little that is to be said about the technical side of the film. The reason? Sheer brilliance. ... full review
Thumbs up, by IANS, Bollywood Life : ...If you’ve forgotten what edge-of-the-seat entertainment meant, it is time to rediscover it. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Rony D'Costa, Desi Martini : ...I would take a half baked Vishwaroop any day over any other topical films made in India.... full review
Thumbs up, by G Pramod Kumar, FirstPost : ...a pulsating thriller, which doesn’t have the usual filmy twists, a demanding script or punch-lines, but is packed with high powered live action, convincing combat sequences, original military hardware, impressive technical prowess and the star himself... full review
Thumbs up, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...The sets in Afghanistan are close to real and the action sequences pull you right to where the fighting is... full review
Thumbs up, by Mohar Basu, koimoi : ...The film belongs to Kamal Haasan. The man deserves a standing ovation for versatility... full review
Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ...It’s got the right doses of drama, romance, science-technology, thrills and action. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Aakash Barvalia, MoviezADDA : ...writer-director Kamal Haasan had successfully managed to hold the interest of the viewers, right from the first frame till the last frame.... full review
Thumbs up, by Saibal Chaterjee, NDTV : ...The primary appeal of the film stems from the mystery that envelopes the character of the male protagonist.... full review
Thumbs up, by K N Gupta, SmasHits.com : ...Atul Tiwari's bombshell of a screenplay, cast's superb performance and the Haasan's wonderful handling. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Gayatri Sankar, Zee News : ...Pooja Kumar looks promising. She is spontaneous and has tremendous screen presence. Even Andrea Jeremiah as Ashmita (who plays Kamal Haasan’s Kathak disciple) looks impressive. ... full review
So-So, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...Shekhar Kapoor is also there just for the namesake and has got nothing significant to do in the script contrary to what the promotion conveyed in its poster showing the team lead by Kamal.... full review
So-So, by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama : ...But the post-interval portions lose focus. The writing isn't persuasive in this hour, especially towards the middle of the second hour and even otherwise, the narrative seems prolonged towards the concluding stages... full review
So-So, by Mayank Shekhar, Daily Bhaskar : ...Between roles of a pansy dance master, a city slicker in the US, and a hard-core jehadi terrorist, Haasan fulfils his personal count of three characters in one movie, meeting at the same his follower’s expectations from him. ... full review
So-So, by Rahul Gangwani, Filmfare : ...Rahul Bose hams in beginning and borders overacting but he gets into form as the story progress and impresses with his bad guy act.... full review
So-So, Free Press Journal : ...Technically smart but just a little too indulgent... full review
So-So, by Deepa Garimella, fullhyd.com : ...The movie, on the whole, has the consistency of molten lead - it is dead s-l-o-w.... full review
So-So, by Divya Solgama, Gomolo.in : ...Rahul Bose gives another fantastic negative performance after ‘Takshak’.... full review
So-So, by Anupama Chopra, Hindustan Times : ...And yet the film is too cartoonish to be taken too seriously. Rahul Bose, with his mouth permanently twisted down, makes for an unintentionally hilarious terrorist boss.... full review
So-So, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...The twists in Vishwaroop work, and writer-director Haasan shifts between the past and the present in surprising, sometimes spoofy, cuts.... full review
So-So, by Fatema H Kagalwala, India Entertainment : ...Yet, there is sombre tone and a seriousness within all the action-packed drama that makes it a film we could take seriously.... full review
So-So, by Kaveree Bamzai, india today : ...Kamal Haasan has spared no expense in trying to blow up New York and various caves that pass off for Afghanistan.... full review
So-So, by Vinayak Chakravorty, india today : ...The film could have gone slow on preaching. A chunk of the runtime doles out spiel on justice and injustice, and what leads to war and strife.... full review
So-So, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...This is a Kamal Haasan who is not heavy on the system, because he is part of a story we are involved in, even if he does get more screen time than anyone else. ... full review
So-So, by Nandini Ramnath, Live Mint : ... Jaideep Ahlawat is in fine fettle as Omar’s henchman, while a weary looking Shekhar Kapur pops up as Wisam’s boss... full review
So-So, by Janhavi Samant, MiD DAY : ...Kamal Haasan wears and sheds his skin between graceful danseuse, Taliban war tutor and special agent quite effortlessly. There is also very little of the self-indulgence that is so apparent in some of his earlier films.... full review
So-So, by Karan Anshuman, Mumbai Mirror : ...Why should anyone put up with this? And as for Vishawaroop, watch this film on principle. To support the freedom of expression. To defy spineless authority. To not give in to the whims of paranoid, faceless, people to simply want their 15 seconds of fame.... full review
So-So, by Mansha Rastogi, Now Running.com : ...The Afghanistan sequences in the film are too long and keep recurring through flashbacks. ... full review
So-So, by Swati Rohatgi, STARDUST : ...The filmmaker narcissistically indulges in hogging away the screen space and in the process stretches the film much to the agony of the audience. ... full review
So-So, by Meena Iyer, Times of India : ...However the film fails, especially in the second half because there are no lump-in-the-throat moments; nor is there any shock and awe.... full review
So-So, by The ThirdMan, Upper Stall : ...The Afghanistan sequences, though again too long and slow, are well staged with attention to detail and here Kamal actually makes himself more of an observer as Rahul Bose and other Jihadists take centre stage... full review
Thumbs down, by Prasanna D Zore, Rediff : ...Like an Afghan terrorist who looks like a small-time Indian gangster and the English-hating one-eyed terrorist yelling ‘Go-Go’ as the NATO choppers blow a hamlet to smithereens.... full review
Thumbs down, by Narendra Gupta, Star Blockbuster : ...Crisper editing would have resulted in Vishwaroop be the sleek thriller that it set out to be.... full review
YashSachein: Watched Vishwaroopam at Bangalore PVR cinemas.. Awesome story, making, casting and acting packed with Kamal's style of unengaging direction.
vishy1986: Wat a movie... Luvd it!!! #Vishwaroop #Vishwaroopam #Kamal Kamal Hassan u will always be d best!!
viru988: Film "Vishwarupam" is perfect entertaining movie. It is no any contradiction of religious status. People should show only entertain.
thegirik: Kamal Haasan is back to his usual best. Liked Vishwaroopam, a movie thats def ahead of its time on indian screen..
Takayasu_M: this is kamal's vishwaroop...he stands tall...best in INDIA at present...hatss off#vishwaroop..#vishwaroopam
shivkantbharti: Frnds must watch VISHWARUPAM........really nice movie
S__Sinthu: Watched vishwarupam today all i can say is; OMG he proves it once again, legend! @shrutihaasan there were so much crowd today here in uk:-)
PrabhuDE: Finally Watched Vishwarupam... Speechless with technical aspects of the movie...
NikhilK14854755: i like so much vishwarup movie.....
moksh_events: Watched #vishwarupam today. I think its a cool movie. What can be worse than crime getting committed n no action rather than cinema ??
mohankrishnauk: Hi Shruhassan i watched the Vishwarupam cinema very good.
mercking1: vishwarupam is such a grt movie go a watch it
mayank61282: Vishwarup.... An excellent movie
malleshthota1: To day saw the VISHWARUPAM movie...superb . ...kamal s great movie....
ljunit: Watched :- Vishwaroopam (2013) Really nice one. :-) Giving 4/5.
KranthiSane: I watched vishwarupam today....it is sooo nice
KartikDayanand: Bloody awesome film. More later! #Vishwaroop #vishwaroopam
GabrooSahota: #Vishwaroopam IS A GOOD MOVIE!
dthrelease: #Vishwaroopam: #Vishwaroop Review by Chaitanya Sharma 3.5/5 The film and the legend deserve a packed theatre! http://www.bollywood24x7.in/2013/02/review-of-viswaroop.html
ComShifin: kamalhasan film vishwaroopam super movie.
chefNehalSarda: #MyReview : #Vishwaroop #Vishwaroopam.. The film is a delicious watch for its dramatic action & brilliant stunts... 3.5/5Stars...
assam_chowhan94: "Vishwarupam"- there is nothing about controversial which was publish in news before releasing the movie. Well directed by Kamal Hassan.
arunrathreya: #vishwaroop #vishwaroopam watched twice, first time was good and second time was mind blowing! Several layers and details.. a Masterpiece
amoljathar1111: Vishwarupam MovIe is really Nice.....I like tHat
amarnathashok: A road trip to Satyavedu, Andhra pradesh to watch a movie! #vishwaroopam.. Was worth it.. Enjoyed every bit of it! I support #KamalHaasan
aloksanwal: Watched Vishwaroopam y'day. What a brilliant piece of art! Sleek production, tight script and fabulous acting.. Must watch!
ajjubodkhe: i just saw movie vishwarupam........... awsome movie........! sir kamal hasan rocksssssssssssss.
Adityastwts: Since i dont belong to any religion, i have no right to say anything about the movie ban, as a cine lover i liked #vishwarupam #kamal rockd
abu1383: kudos to kamal hassan for vishwaroop ! Far better than any hindi movie released in the last 3 mts !
abangalorebloke: Vishwaroopam was a nice flick! Action was definitely Indian types.. Overall 8/10
nevil_chheda: One of the best movies with one of the worst ends! #vishwaroop #vishwaroopam
mehaaaaa: # Vishwaroop ; #Vishwaroopam doesn't have much weight.. but u should watch it just for Ulaganayagan #Kamal Hassan B) \m/ He rocks!! :D
me_ram: Vishwaroopam – an unpardonable offense-fest | http://sidveeblogs.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/vishwaroopam-an-unpardonable-offense-fest/ ~ Well said. Also add making you sit through 2:45 hours without interval.
Evil__Cartman: #Vishwaroopam s a maha chutiya, fucked up movie. Predictable numerous time seen storyline & concept. Only couple action scenes. #KamalHassan
This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.
Parental Guidance:
- Violence: Lots.
- Language: A few abuses.
- Nudity & Sexual content: One scene with a couple making out.
- Concept: How the Jihadis should be annihilated.
- General Look and Feel: Typical action drama.
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Comments (28)
Tried watching the trailer for the first time, couldn't finish it. Looks stupid.
Oh, and hate to bug you, but the issue with "Not interesting in Watching" translating to "Thumbs up" is not fixed. :)
"I have never enjoyed Kamal Haasan's histrionics. He has always been a little over-the-top, caricaturish for my taste
Have you seen any of his films? He has made many and he is acknowledged as one of the finest actors of the country,do not know what you have based your opinion on.
Given your review, I think the movie would be quite good.
Who cares, its your personal opinion, its a very silly review
@Rahul Damn! I thought we got it fixed and was infact going to request you to test it :( Will look into it again.
And yes, agree about trailer.
@nitin true that. I mean about the personal opinion
@Luke I have seen quite a few of his early ones as in Sadma, Pushpak, Appu Raja. And yes, if you are in general a Kamal Haasan fan, you are likely to like the film.
Thank God matter has been resolved amicably and ban on Vishwaroopam is lifted
You have done it again. A reviewer has to watch the movie from the point of view of the target audience. You never do it while reviewing mindless entertainers and you have done that again. Just because you don't like a particular genre, it doesn't mean nobody likes it.
@Keyur I am very aware that people like films I don't and vice versa, which is why I try my best to explain what I liked and didn't. This should enable the reader to decide whether they like/dislike the same things and take a call for themselves. There is no way any two people can have the exact same choices 100% of the time.
That is my point! He has done a lot of films in Tamil and you have seen a few hindi ones, and plus you have not seen Nayagan, one of his finest. So his caricatures that you call, others call acting! I just saw Vishwaroopam and it is an out and out commercial film made in the Tamil style with great locations, and good stunts. And in any commercial film characters are likely to be heroes and villains plus support staff, what else can it be. "to get people temporarily involved", what film gets people get permanently involved? I agree with Nitin and Keyur, your review seems really silly. And I am not a Kamal Hassan fan. I gues you like only "intellectual films" like that of Anurag Kashyap and his Gangs, which I found pretty pointless and equally commercial.
Direction: 3
Story: 2
Lead Actors: 3.5
Character Artists: 3
Dialogues: 3
Screenplay: 2.5
Music Director: 2
Lyrics: 2
@luke I know, thus the disclaimer. And I have such disclaimers for many others like Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, and dare I say, Rajnikant. I concede that I don't get it.
And yes, I like to use at least some of my brains while watching films. Is that such a bad thing?
@Suman :)
We watched it in a group yesterday: 6 people (4 Muslims). We would give it 2 stars out of 5. A very chaat film! Avoidable unless someone has nothing better to do.
Its a good entertaining package.I definitely preferred it to the likes of Ghajini,RR and Dabangg-2!I's rate it 3.5/5(at par with Agneepath,Singham and Dabangg).
@Meetu:You've never been a Kamal fan?Really?Strange!He might not be the best actor but is definitely the most all round talented guy Indian cinema's ever witnessed.Acting,direction,dancing,choreography,storytelling..u name it!
@Meetu : You might find some support from my side on this :P I consider a reviewer to be "just another movie fan" with their own individual opinions and ideas.As u said,no 2 people can always agree on the same thing. But i do have a serious problem with critics who define "what's good" and "what's bad" according to their own definition of quality and try to influence and manipulate the audiences. And that's the reason why i suggest every reviewer should put a "disclaimer" saying that the views expressed are completely their own and do not in any way categorize or stereotype that particular film in concern.
@Anuj Yeah, some how never enjoyed anything other than his dancing.
As far as reviewers giving disclaimer goes - when I have very strong biases I make it a point to expressly state it. But, I don't like to harp about it for two reasons -
I think it is understood. It is something I am writing as an opinion on a piece of art, the tastes of which are going to be obviously very subjective.
I feel it makes me sound like I am full of myself. :P
That might not go for you but it certainly holds true for certain other critics who're hellbent on hammering home their point and trying to prove that their "opinions" are the final word.Btw,can i name those people here?
If u r so good in commenting and complaining and writing silly reviews, y dont u give a film which u would rate 5 in all categories.. oh no you just know to comment and u get paid??!!!!
GOOD LUCK WITH A FILM OF YA OWN WHICH WILL WIN ALL THE HEARTS... Then write comments....
@Vikas what's a 'chaat' film? I think I get the drift, but what does it mean specifically? Just curious.
@Anuj As long as there are no personal attacks, no abusive language, it should be alright :)
@Film Lover I am good at watching films. :) And no I don't get paid, I pay to watch the films.
I have never ever seen a more ridiculous and attrocious review than this. It seems the reviewer had not even tried/attempted to understand this movie. Yes, I agree the movie is not brilliant but is not blatant. Since this is from tamil origin, she has rubbished this movie. If you dont like tamil movies, dont watch or review them.
In one comment, she has said she wants to use her brain on watching movies. Just one question for her: Could you please explain that scene in detail where kamal swings the jihadi. Could you please depict the exact description of this scene. Then I would agree you have used your brain on this movie and have understood this movie.
@Funky Actually I liked the scene you mentioned. I'll try to tell you my interpretation.
[Spoiler Warning: I am going to take the bait and discuss one particular scene in detail. So, please don't read any further if you haven't seen the film or don't intend to.]
Wisam swinging the Jihadi: He's an undercover Jihadi, he cannot allow himself to express, he's cannot allow himself to have emotions. Yet, he
cannot bare the plight of a child missing out on a basic necessity - his childhood, and even worse the child doesn't even know it. The child has fooled himself into believing that his purpose in life is different, larger, meaningful. And he doesn't even know he's fooling himself. He's brainwashed, he's suppressed by his father. And of course, he doesn't even know it. All he wants to do is swing up high. All he wants to do is catch up on his childhood, that he doesn't know he has missed. And Wisam is there to give him a push, with all empathy and willingness to give this young man - who is a child too - a ray of light out of a dark window, a peak into what he has lost.
That would be one way of reading the scene. And I am sure there are many mother ways of reading it. Which is why I liked the scene. But, and here is the big but...this scene is a prop. the boy's character is a prop, a tool. A tool to tell the audience, see how bad the Jihadis are to their own children (which they must be, I'm not arguing that.) And of course, we need some characters who can die to get us feel for them. The character and the scene are by-products.
So, the scene works brilliantly by itself, but in the context of the film, it gets diluted.
Also, for every such scene there are a few others which cannot but annoy. Most of Nirupama's scenes. The only reason Nirupama is shown with her boss, is so we know why she has the codes. Why he'd give the code to her, when he drops her like a hat at the first sign of trouble? We are not supposed to ask that. We are not allowed to dislike a film, you see. Especially, a film that was banned for the wrong reasons. Especially, if it was also made in a language that I don't understand, right?
@Funky, I watched the Hindi version, to me this was a Hindi film. The only reason, I wouldn't watch a Tamil film without subtitles is because I don't understand the language and it would be a disservice to the film.
Yes, there are n number of mother ways of reading this but what the director wanted to tell is the most important.. thats the director's perspective. I like ur interpretation but for me, the most accurate depiction will be as follows:
"The little boy is ambitious about becoming a Doctor while Omar restricts him to a Jihadi as his brother Mammu. The scene where Wisam (Kamal) swings the little boy and the boy says “I am not a child" and walks away from the swing. But his brother asks Wisam to push the swing and he enjoys the swing by closing his eyes against light, though light falls on him he ignores to accept it by closing his eyes. Proving difference between a matured little boy and un-matured grown up brother. Reason is obvious..."
You may or may not agree with this, but I am happy with this. I am not a kamal fan at all. But do give some respect to his experience. His Nayakan features in Time's all time world's 100 must watch movies. His Heyram is a multi layered film which is included in a syllabus in a film university in america. His Mahanadhi, for me is the best. There are many movies I can recommend for you, if you want to watch quality movies.
Yes, the movie is not a great one, with visible logic holes and loosened screenplay. Yes, he could have played more in this platform he laid on the first half. But Kamal scores in subtle nuances, the amount of research he has put for this. And it guarantees repeated viewing. And yes, its your wish to dislike a movie and tell the world that "watch it only if you have nothing to do". I am not questioning it - Its your right!
@Funky Thank you! I'm glad you see my point of view. I have added the list of movies you've recommended to my list of 'to watch' films.
I mean folk like Raja Sen, Mihir Fadnavis whose only purpose of reviewing films is to show off their knowledge about hollywood and in the process go about dissing b town films giving zero emphasis to things like target audience, tastes, sensibilities and budget constraints.I call them the perfect "pseudo intellects"!
@meetu: thnq for replying. Hope those movies change the caricaterish image of Kamal hassan.
Irrelevant Comment:
The typo of Kamal Haasan in Quick Review reminds me of a Pan Masala.
@anuj other than budget constraints, I doubt I can emphasise target audience, tastes, etc. How can any one person say how another group of people is going to like a film? I can sort-of guess for individuals, but for a group, it would be really presumptuous of me to make a statement. Also, a review is an opinion, how will a review by my opinion, if I am taking others' opinions into account? At best, I can try to say, I think Akshay Kumar fans or horror fans will like X or Y.
@Funky oh I always reply! :) And yes, I hope so too!
@Dattaprasad oops! fixed. Thanks for pointing it out.
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