PRADEEP HEMANATHAN

Here, undoubtedly, the cinematographic gem is Uttama Villain, combining drama, humor, and deep philosophical reflection to make the experience profound for the audience. Surely, the script, directed by Ramesh Aravind, and written by Kamal Haasan, is a beautiful blend of traditional art and modern storytelling. Kamal Haasan shines in dual roles playing the old superstar Manoranjan and the ancient folk artist Uttaman. His rendering of the inner turmoil of a man battling death is terrific, deep, and emotional. This is topped off by the deft hand in balancing this heavy stuff with lighter moments in the subplot involving the folk drama - a delightful and intellectually stimulating piece of entertainment. The screenplay is the other high spot in Uttama Villain.It effortlessly moves between two very different time frames, while that does not hold it from exploring themes on legacy, life, and death. The transitions from the real world into the folk art narrative are seamless and complement each other wonderfully. Special mention must be made of the film score by Ghibran. While the background score adds a weightage emotionally to the film, the songs, especially those in folk art sequences are soulful and true to the roots of Tamilian tradition. Visually, it is breathtaking. This happens, both in the erect sets of the ancient kingdom, and even at those contemporary bits of Manoranjan's life. The cinematography is staggering, always aesthetically pleasing to the sight, telling much about the characters and the themes threaded through the story. While Uttama Villain does not appeal to all those who make films as it is, being a ponderous movie with an unusual narrative structure, it undoubtedly is a mighty and beautiful film. The viewer is challenged to think beyond the movie's typical boundaries, and so this will prove to be well worth it for those appreciating meaningful cinema. In total, it only proves the genius of Kamal Haasan in both acting and storytelling.