Dasavatharam: An Open Letter to Kamal Sir

Kamal Sir,

This from a humble fan, who happens to be in the same fraternity as you, though much lower, pretty much to the point of non-existence on the rungs of the acting ladder. I sincerely hope this text finds you in the best of health and spirits. That’ll make one of us. Sir, I’m a huge, unabashed fan of yours, and with the best of intentions I write this.

You see, I just came back from watching Dasavatharam. And I have a few questions/comments/concerns, none of which I expect an answer to, but such was the film that if I didn’t get these off my chest, I fear insomnia for the next month or two, and as much as I can handle it for a few days here and there, I don’t think I can do without sleep for too too long.

Sir, I’ve been very conscious of …

Dasavatharam - Insult to Intelligence

Taste of good cinema is a cultivated one. One sees good cinema and when a bad cinema is shown the choice is easily made.

I have seen bad cinema and my exposure to some gems have cultivated my taste for good cinema.

I am not talking about No Country for Old men or some other foreign language movies.

I am talking about Padhinaaru vayadhinile - the movie where characters came alive with blood, flesh and sweat of a Thamizh Nadu Village.

I saw Sigappu Rojakkal and was amazed at how a psycopathic misogynist can be sketched without using the black and white strokes.

I saw Raja Paarvai and was amazed at the success of a blind man’s love - and that of cinema too.

I saw Moondraam Pirai and was thrilled at how tender moments of life can be shown without burning them in the glare of arclight.

I saw Saagara sangamam and found how “True art …