The mind set of terrorists has even today remained a puzzle for most of the part. Because they never volunteer to psychoanalysis, to study and analyse their way of thoughts and ideology is a task yet to be achieved. Though we don't understand them, we have to bear them. To say that terrorism is a global problem is quite an understatement. An issue that has been redrawing global relationships and influencing things ranging from political ideologies to peace of mind. It is very easy to make a terrorist a villain in a movie, but its quite difficult to develop the character. "Dont they feel a pinch pity, for the people they murder mercilessly? Do they really believe that Allah will reward them for killing innocents?" are the kind of unanswered questions that make the common man confused and angry. When I heard that Kamal Haasan is making a film about terrorism, I am more than eager to witness in which light is he showing them. Because so far in Indian cinema, terrorists are portrayed as nothing more than blood lusty goondas and sometimes even like psychopaths. It is important to relise that terrorists are not psychopaths. They are very sane, but are convicted by a belief system that mekes them think that what they do is for the good of the world and God. In their perspective, they are the fighters for a greater good. Kamal haasan seems to have understood this basic point very clearly.
Viswaroopam is a technically brilliant and conceptually sensible film made by a man who understands what he is saying and who knows the depth of the characters he is portraying. But it cant help itself pull out of its imperfections. The film takes you to Afghanistan, introduces you to hard core Jihadis, takes you inside their homes, and lets you listen to their family conversations. The film starts with Kamal entering the bloodshed world of terror as a new Jihadi. It very much triggers our curiosity to know about the kind of life they lead, and the film doesnt disappoint you there. As the film progresses, it shows Kamal slowly getting deeper into the world of Jihad, but you never really believe that he is really into the ideology of it. When Kamal says to the head of the Talibans "Jihadis like us should shed blood, not tears", he says it with such a blank face that it makes you wonder what he has inside his head. And eventually, it turns out that Kamal is not a terrorist, but a soldier undercover sent to Afghan as a wolf among sheep. This is the major twist in the story and the same is the pitfall. Why?
Because our curiosity to listen to how a Jihadi supports his ideology and how he justifies the blood he sheds and how he convinces his conscience is half satisfied. The way the terrorists are portrayed as people having normal emotions but are misled by some blind religious intolerance, doesnt allow this film to be a basic Good vs evil flick. Eventually, it should turn out to be an intelligent discussion dealt with sensibility. As the realistic depiction of the characters hints the film's belief in the fact that "Good and Bad is a matter of perspective", the ride should be fuelled by the clash of ideologies. But here the ideologies and the opinions of the main cast never enter the front stage. The problems and tragedies of terrorism are widely well known to people. And when a film makes terrorism as its subject, it makes an adrenaline rushing edge of the seat taking an inevitable ingredient. That requires a racy screenplay, emotionally captivating character conversations. The film falters with this.
In Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins", when Bruce Wayne disagrees to execute punishment, the conflict of opinion between Bruce Wayne and Ras Al Ghul( a terrorist leader) creates an interesting watch and that gave the film an emotional content that we can relate to. Viswaroopam's sole and biggest mistake is the lack of that. Kamal's research is evident from the way the Afghan village is recreated and the family scenes are shot, but the conflict of opinions never materialised. The terrorists do their work, and the police do theirs. To compromise that this film is merely a thriller but not a penetration into emotions, the obvious question would be to ask why much time is spent in Afghan. The film's confusion of its genre is the major drawback. The fil tries to evoke sympathy towards the terror striken Afghan but is partially successful. It tries to twist your nerves with thrill, but lags far behind 'interesting'
That being said, this is not a bad film. This is a good attempt by a rare talent but a little more care would have done wonders.
Bottom line:- Watching once doesnt make a heavy loss
