CHENNAI: While Kamal Haasan fans wait for the release of Dasavatharam, billed as his magnum opus, many celebrities from the tinsel world have already had a chance to watch the film. Kollywood's crème, including superstar Rajinikanth, as well as others, were invited to special screenings here on Tuesday and Wednesday.
And when the film concluded, they were effusive in their praise of Kamal, and director K.S. Ravikumar.
"Extraordinary," Rajinikanth is reported to have exclaimed on Tuesday. The superstar was apparently overwhelmed by the film and Kamal's performance. Scenes built around the tsunami particularly came in for praise. Impressed by Kamal's different avatars, Rajinikanth discussed the details with him during the intermission.
Yesteryear comedienne Manorama, who was moved to tears watching the film, called Kamal the "real ulaga nayagan [universal hero]." Stars Satyaraj, Sarath Kumar, Radhika, Suriya, Prabhu, 'Jayam' Ravi and Bharat, and directors Dharani and Vishnuvardhan, were at the screenings.
K. Balachander, who introduced Kamal to the film world, was reported to have been astonished by Dasavatharam. The veteran director, who spent a sleepless night on Tuesday after watching the film, visited Ravikumar and Kamal at their homes on Wednesday and presented them shawls.
Veteran actor Nagesh, who was at a preview, lauded Kamal for his performance.
Dasavatharam, set to be released on Friday, features Kamal Haasan in 10 roles. The film is a mix of action, humour and romance, and has some impressive special effects by Hollywood-fame Brian Jennings.
Court rejects plea against screening of 'Dasavatharam'
J. Venkatesan
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to interfere with a Madras High Court judgment allowing the screening of Tamil film 'Dasavatharam,' starring Kamal Haasan, thereby paving the way for its release on Friday.
A vacation Bench of Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice P.P. Naolekar dismissed a special leave petition filed by Swami Govinda Ramanuja Dasa, president of the International Sri Vaishnava Dharma Samrakshanaa Society, challenging the High Court judgment.
The Bench heard the Swami, and counsel K.K. Mani and K. Ravi, appearing for film director K.S. Ravikumar and producer V. Ravichandran of Oscar Films. Counsel denied 'Dasavatharam' "sarcastically ridicules or denigrates the religious sentiments of Hindus."
The Bench said: "The petition is premature as the petitioner himself has admitted that he has not seen the full movie. Further, affidavits have been filed in the High Court by the respondents, including the director, producer and the Censor Board, that there are no objectionable scenes in the movie. However, after seeing the movie, if there are objectionable scenes, it is open to the petitioner to take appropriate action…" The petitioner alleged that it projects violence and clash between Saivites and Vaishnavites, hurting sentiments of Hindus.