The fans shout when they see Manoranjan . They throw flowers and dance . Manoranjan is a mass hero whose universe is filled with admirers, paparazzi, beautiful women and gushing anchors. His life cannot get any better. Uttama Villain kicks off with Kamala Haasan playing the star Manoranjan. However, off screen, in the theatre, the reaction is less than enthusiastic. People fidget with their phones, munch pop corn and pass loud remarks. A die hard fan of Kamal, I am dismayed. The film was supposed to show off Kamal’s acting prowess. It was meant to be a satire on stardom but unfortunately fell right into the same trap.
The story is about Manoranjan, a superstar who wants to deliver a performance that will make the audience remember him more as an actor than just a star. The plotline weaves in personal life details from Kamal Haasan’s own life; such as reference to his mentor K. Balachander. Parallels are drawn between the actor’s affairs and Manoranjan’s own life. And then, we learn that Manoranjan has cancer. All of a sudden the playboy Manoranjan is philosophical and, now, wants to do an award winning role and wash away his sins. And, he decides to work with his mentor, Margadarshi, played by K.Balachander himself, and convinces him to make a film with him . All too filmy.
It should have been a role Kamal could pull off. But, like Manoranjan, even he seemed to struggleto be the fine actor that he can be. He just did not move me, not even in the emotional scenes with his daughter, not even when his lips quivered. . I couldn’t help but remember his brilliant portrayal as Velu Nayakan in Nayakan reacting to his daughter who said she was terrified of him.
There are some glimpses of his genius when Manoranjan begins work on his dream project – a period piece on Mrityunjayan, an eighth century theatre artist who evades death in miraculous ways. When Manoranjan appears as Mrityunjayan , there is no star aura …there is only a dedicated and talented artist, in love with his art. As Mritynjayan, he does not have to be larger-than-life. He can act cowardly, cry and be a loser. Mrityunjayan makes you root for him each time he escapes death. He impresses you with his graceful movements when he dances before the evil king who wants to kill him and makes you laugh every time his hair stands poker straight when he senses danger. This is the Kamal Haasan I know and love. Sadly, that does not last long as we are plunged back into Manoranjan’s world, boring, predictable and melodramatic. I wonder if the director was wary of the ire of Kamal Haasan fans and decided to tread too carefully...
(Parshathy J.Nath is a staff writer for Melange)
