Uttama Villain (2015) User Reviews

If it fails, I will definitely say ,"The movie was ahead of its time"

[raj040492 · 8/10 · 2 May 2015]

Mix a dance form from Kerala, with a parallel storyline on life and death with a legendary director and an equally legendary actor portraying the same on screen and sprinkle few other well known names. The result would look something like the now released Uthama Villain (villain mean archer and not antagonist and thus no tax- issues there).

Storyline: An actor attempts to make his magnum opus when his clock starts ticking.

Very few know that Tarantino's inspiration for the manga comic parts ,in Kill Bill, is Kamal hassan's Alavandhan. Such is KH's talent (acting among many others) that any movie goer will follow Sivaji Ganesan's name with none other than KH himself. This time around too he has done what he usually does best: Experimentation.

This is a rare movie where every cast (despite being such a star studded ensemble cast) is given a sizable role and none of them is there for sake of screen filling.

Several sub-textual beauties (like comparison between a dying person and an immortal in parallel stories) including plenty of wordplay makes it a repeat watch just to make sure that you didn't miss anything during the first time.

After Aayirathil Oruvan, this movie contains an abundance of pure tamil with some Telugu and Malayalam (no subtitles) to show the diversity of an actor's life. So, non-tamils please beware and don't complain later.

If my prediction pans out to be right (and I am not a astrologer by the way), then Uthama Villain might turn out to be another Virumandi or Kurudhi Punal (not received well but will treated as a gem when looked back).Slight slag can be felt in the second half's first half.

Not really a review..

[aarunp · 8/10 · 3 May 2015]

If you are reading this review section, I definitely feel that you are someone who either like Kamal's movies or someone who really do not like him.

This is not really a review, but just some thoughts based on my experience after watching Uttama Villain. In fact, the first review I read from this section made me write this.

In an industry where commercial potboilers are the only ones that sell, it take guts to even try by what Kamal has tried, without even thinking about repercussions and box office. The state of affairs of Tamil cinema is so bad, everybody (at-least most) needs a kuthu song and flying-in-the-air stunts.

I, being a Kamal fan for all these years, did not like Dashavatharam a bit (except the first 15 mins). I, hated Manmadhan Ambu because the story wandered without knowing where to go. But, Uttama Villain is not one of those movies. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the movie. In fact, I was loosing faith and patience, after these movies, but UV has brought me back into liking Kamal's movie again.

I would not classify this as a comedy, but a good movie. Few of the comedy scenes fall flat, but they are never agonizingly painful to digest.

Kamal has picked up a script where he wanted to show his acting prowess and dedication after a long time and he has done it effortlessly). All the characters KB, MS Bhaskar, Andrea, Jayaram, Parvathy and the son character have performed brilliantly in the small space provided to them.

This is not a racy movie where hero runs from pillar to post behind the villain and leave the audience on the edge of their seats, but a slow one that lets you sit back and enjoy the mastery of a great actor.

Is this Kamal's best movie yet? The answer is No, however this is one of his best performances till date and definitely the kind of movie his fans want to see from him. It definitely is a good movie and a worthwhile watch.

I enjoyed the movie, regardless of it box office fate or how harsh people criticize it. Hats off.

Just legends stuff

[raulzhere-15397 · 8/10 · 5 May 2021]

Not sure why I haven't watched this movie earlier. This is a masterpiece. Brilliant writing and acting by the best actor of Indian cinema.

Another masterpiece from kamalhassan

[senmdu · 10/10 · 12 July 2018]

Our tamil audience don't know what is the good movie. they expect 5 songs, 5 mass fights and hero mass entries. otherwise they will make flop a movie. this film was great masterpiece in tamil cinema. if you are mature person and good taste in cinema, you will love this movie.

Story weaved with multiple layers of subtext

[themisterconfusious · 7/10 · 6 May 2015]

To get an idea about what is really going on under the skin of this movie, we need to understand the outline of this story.

Story outline - A popular movie star comes to know that his time is running out and he wants to do one last film with his mentor.

The main theme of the movie is, 'even if someone dies in real life he can remain immortal through the body of his works'.

This movie slides between the things that's happening in the life of the actor and the story that is being directed by his mentor.

Few things that's being conveyed within this outline -

1 - Tribute: This movie is a tribute by actor Kamal Hassan (KH) to his mentor K.Balachander (KB).

KH's real life mentor KB has played the role of the mentor in this movie, unfortunately this was KB's last movie, he passed away before this movie could hit the screens. The roles were reversed in this movie to show KB in good health because that is how KH wants his mentor to be remembered by posterity.

2- The movie within movie: It is not a coincidence that the movie being directed within this movie is represented in the form of folk drama.

Folk drama has always been used to convey valuable lessons to the king and the population alike, by hiding those messages beneath the veneer of banal comedy.

So, what is being conveyed through this folk drama?

It starts with Arjun from Indian mythology getting a powerful weapon from Shiva after doing intense penance. Subtext is, KH getting graduation from his mentor.

Then few kids let loose snake in the crowd which bites four people before biting KH, since the snake has already spent all its venom on four other people, the bite was harmless when it comes to KH. Subtext is, snake is the symbolism for money spoiling the art.

Later KH is being brought to cremation ground where he awakens among the dead body to the horror of people who thought he was dead. The scene in which KH runs away from dead bodies with disgust, shows his aversion towards art succumbing to pure commercialization and thus stopping to do what it has to do, which is equivalent to death.

After this survival KH is known as immortal. At the same time, a power hungry person kills the king and queen, and imprisons the beautiful princess. Subtext, the princess can be seen as the representation of the language Tamil itself, which has grown for many centuries under the love and patronage of great kings and poets, but she has been hijacked by narrow minded power hungry racial fanatics.

Dictator is shown as someone who has lost one of his ear, because fanatics cannot listen to anything other than the things they would like to hear.

KH was brought to the presence of this dictator, since KH has survived longer than others the dictator wants to appropriate KH's glory for his own benefit.

On the way, kids question KH who is caged, about whether he is really immortal? some sell stones to the kids so that they could test whether he is immortal or not. This scene explains many constraints and hurdles an artist has to face.

The pet tiger of the princess has been imprisoned and fed with curd rice. Tiger symbolizes Tamil people itself, who are purposely kept ignorant and dull by power hungry dictator.

KH acts like a court jester to make the dictator and his cronies laugh but his real intention is to save the princess and her tiger from the clutches of the dictator. Meaning, his real intention is to save Tamil and its people from the hands of self-serving bullies.

Princess tells KH that 'he needs to be brave to save the country' for which he replies 'Can an artist save a country? Then he says, I will try if your Tiger doesn't kill me before that'. Meaning, he will try to educate people through his art if people support him.

3- Social satire: The controversial Iraniyan Naadagam play within the movie in which the god dies instead of Iraniyan is a vital voice against religious fanaticism.

Art and artist have right to mock, question and protest against the established ideals, because this is the only antidote against fascism and fanaticism.

4- Screenplay: Even though the film seemingly moves between the story of the actor in his personal life and the folk drama, it is in fact just one story, that is the story of an actor, not only that, each scene is beautifully linked to the other scene.

For example, when the actor has to console others about the fact that his time is running out, the very next shot takes us to folk drama where the artist sings in front of the dictator about 'life without end is a misery and no one wants to listen to a story which has no end'.

Yet shortcomings of the film do test the patience of a light viewer. To begin with it is ostentatiously self indulgent, then over the top theatrics in the folk drama parts is irritating to sit through, even though it is indicative of play acting in folk drama, it becomes insufferable quickly, further the main character in the movie comes of as a superficial person who does not really take responsibilities for his own actions and his excuses for not doing what he should have done, comes of as a feeble attempt to get some more attention for himself, thus as the film progresses audience tend to lose interest in whatever that happens to him.

Still this film will be a gem for movie students, as it can stand among the best in the craft of complex story telling.

Uttama Villain (2015)

[santhosh-10290 · 10/10 · 1 January 2018]

The movie was very good. Kamal Hassan's acting was amazing. Songs and BGM was very good. The comedy in the movie were also good. The film is slow but the movie was amazing.

"An Emotionally Captivating Offering From Ulaganayagan Marginally Letdown By Half-Baked Period Segment"

[afsalthodupuzha · 7/10 · 4 May 2015]

How well can the Legend Kamal Hassan handle emotional sequences with utmost perfection - Uttama Villain is the answer.An intensely packed story about a superstar which often gives an aura of Ulaganayagan self-reflecting himself,Uttama Villain is a brilliantly penned meta-film that couldn't make the intentional impact because of mediocre direction and careless handling of cinema inside cinema.

The story moves in two parallel tracks- The primary track has an autobiographical feel with many sequences reminding of Kamal's own illustrious carrier and personal life,depicting protagonist Manoranjan's relationship with his wife,kids and his mentor Marghadarsi(portrayed by Kamal's real-life guru late K. Balachander).This particular portion cleverly portrays the struggles and sacrifices that a hero has to make for attaining and maintaining his stardom depicting the personal life and emotions of Manoranjan.The part can boast of some exceptional sequences that displays meticulous brilliance of Ulaganayagan and are sure to make our eyes wet like the scene in the beginning were Manoranjan meets Margadhasi and the emotionally brimming conversation between Manoranjan and his son.

The second track presents a folklore based comedy about Uttaman who has been blessed with immortality.This part that generously used Senthamizh language failed to meet the brilliance of the real life part with tacky visual effects,numerous unwanted lengthy sequences and dull comic numbers.Had this part been presented better,the movie could have easily joined the league of all time favorites from Kamal.

Ramesh Aravind who has given some notable hits in Sandalwood like Rama Shama Bhama have done a really good job presenting the real life sequences with required perfection,but the reel life sequences required a more inspired narrator who could have lifted the quality of the movie a level.The most important thing was to join the thin line between reel and real lifes for the fulfillment of the basic idea which the movie couldn't triumph comprehensively,the reason why a large section of the audience have opinions touching the negative side.Added to this the slow pace of the narration and the lengthy duration of almost 172 minutes may not be suitable for normal front bench audience looking for just entertainment.

Kamal Hassan was simply brilliant as always and played both Manoranjan and Uttaman excellently.The brilliance that he showed during the emotional sequences deserves a standing ovation that it could touch the audience heart in a flash.I always considered Pooja Kumar as an actress below par,but she surprised me with a matured performance particularly as 'Karpagavalli' in the Uttaman story.Andrea as Dr Aparna and M.s Bhaskar as Manornajan's P.A Chokku were impressive.Jayaram,Urvashi,Nassar and Parvtahy Nair too made their presence felt by good supporting performances.Last but not least,K.Balachander sir made his last act memorable handling the emotional sequences with perfection.

Young music director Ghibran can be proud of the fact that his songs and score play a major role right through the narration with the songs 'Kadhalaam Kadavul' and 'Loveeaa' being the picks from the album.

Overall,Uttama Villain is an intense take on super-stardom and mortality that can cater to movie buffs and the fans of Ulaganayagan.

Verdict::Uttama Villain presents a sharp contrast between immortality and mortality throwing light on the life and emotions of a superstar.The execution of the thought being slightly on the lower side than one would associate with a Kamal movie and being devoid of usual masala elements,the movie is recommended only for the die-hards of the actor and movie buffs who can sit through long 172 minutes.Hats off to the acting brilliance of Kamal Hassan watching whom on big screen alone is sheer pleasure! Ma Rating::6.5/10 _Afsal

Uttama Villain is a fitting tribute to the late K Balachander and is a film all Kamal Haasan fans can be proud of. Uttama Villain is True cinema

[gparasuramangpr · 10/10 · 3 May 2015]

The film opens in a theatre as the camera captures the frenzied mood of fans waiting to watch the latest release of superstar Manoranjan, played by Kamal Haasan. In the movie within the movie, in some foreign location, Manoranjan is dancing to a duet with Pooja Kumar.

Here's a sixty-year-old jiving like he's thirty years younger and performing wheeling on his bike. A few scenes later, Manoranjan is on a talk show where he's aptly introduced as the king of entertainment because Manoranjan (in Hindi) means entertainment and what better name can a superstar have.

It just takes a few minutes to get to know Manoranjan, who's the son-in-law of successful producer Poorna Chandra Rao (K Vishwanath), who has produced most of Manoranjan's films since he's married to his daughter.

In a way, he's responsible for his stardom and legacy. In the opening scene, Manoranjan's wife, mother-in-law and son, Manohar, are seated in the back row of the movie screening.

Manohar is least interested and is happily texting away. A little later, we're introduced to doctor Arpana, played by Andrea, and her first encounter with Mano almost catches the eye of the paparazzi.

There's another woman in Manoranjan's life, his old flair Yamini with whom he has a daughter, Manonmani. As a viewer, suddenly, you get the feeling that the life of superstar Kamal Haasan is unfolding on screen, for he's had his share of failed relationships and affairs.

In a beautiful mall scene, we witness hero-worshipping when legions of fans show up to get a glimpse of Manoranjan. He waves at them and smiles like they mean his world. And minutes later, as he leaves in a car, his superstar mask comes off, as he necks down some whiskey to fight severe headache. He doesn't want his fans to see him drinking because superstars are role models for many, aren't they? Uttama Villain is a terrific take on super stardom and mortality. It is actually a satire in parts. When Manoranjan learns he has only few days to live, he wants make a film in which he's immortal.

Manoranjan teams up with his former mentor and celebrated filmmaker Margadarshi, played by his real-life guru K Balachander. The character is named Margadarshi (the path shower) for a reason because it's a fitting tribute to Mr Balachander, who showed the path to Kamal Haasan many years ago when he wasn't sure if he wanted to be an actor. The first scene between them is exceptionally good and the intensity with which Balachander delivers his lines is commendable and inspiring.

Manoranjan and Margadarshi decide to make a film about a theatre artist who sets out on a journey to expel a nasty king. The movie within the movie is called Uttama Villain, which is a comedy, and Kamal Haasan plays Uttaman, but people call him Mrityunjay as he dodges death many times by a whisker.

Although Manoranjan is dying a slow and tragic death in real life, as the character Uttaman he entertains and remains immortal.

As Manoranjan brings his family together, including his daughter from his affair with Yamini, you see the mask coming off the superstar gradually. The scene where he breaks the news about his health to his wife and her family is heartbreaking, and so is when he learns about his daughter from the person who raised her. Kamal Haasan owns these scenes and performs with the kind of subtlety nobody else can.

The scenes with his wife, played Urvashi; his son and daughter are easily some of the best moments of the movie.

The story of Manoranjan and the scenes from the eighth century unfold simultaneously. The story shifts between superstar Manoranjan and the talented actor he is. It shifts between someone who is on the brink of death and someone who has been successfully dodging it. It shifts between mortality and stardom. What's important for any actor is that he's remembered even after he's gone.

In the end, when Manoranjan is taken inside for surgery, we see the climax of the movie within the movie. Superstar Manoranjan battles for his life inside the operation room and at the same time we see Uttaman successfully defeating the king.

In an earlier scene, Manoranjan requests Margadarshi to allow him to complete the last shot of the movie before he's taken for surgery. As Mano leaves in a wheel chair, Margadarshi promises to edit and show the film to him soon in the hospital.

Call it irony, but it reminded me of the time when Mr Balachander was on his hospital bed and speaking to Kamal Haasan, who was busy with the post-production work of the movie in Los Angeles. When Kamal Haasan had asked Mr Balachander if he wanted him to come visit him, he was told not to return without completing pending work. Kamal Haasan didn't get a chance to bid adieu to Balachander; and in the movie Margadarshi doesn't get a chance to bid adieu to Manoranjan.

Watchable

[rush8080 · 7/10 · 18 August 2021]

Spoiler alert It's an entertaining movie. Very well cast and good performance by all.

Could have finished with a different ending. Other than that watchable.

Film that tests your patience

[crazyraju · 5/10 · 3 May 2015]

'Uthama Villain' is a kind of experimental comedy emotional flick, which has been intended to satisfy Kamal's thirst of his passion, but not intended for the normal audience.

The film is about Manoranjan (Kamal Haasan), leading Tamil actor who is about to have his last breath. So finally he wanted to end his career by working in a comedy film with director Margadarsi (K.B. Balachander).

The positives of the film are its lead cast. The entire cast involving Kamal, K.B. Balachander, Urvasi, Nasser, M.S. Bhaskar have delivered realistic acting throughout the film. Apart from that, some excellent visuals and sets are the major assets of the film. Late director K.B. Balachander could not have a perfect ending tribute than this.

The most negative part of the film is its slow paced screenplay. Obviously the final moments of the film will leave the audience emotional, but audience have to patiently tolerate many boring moments in the film. The entire 'Uthaman Part' (which resembles 1960s comedy dramas), hardly tickles the audience' laugh bones and finally became a disastrous part among the audience. It is normal to wonder why the makers have opted to add outdated 1960s comedy style in this flick.

Normally Kamal is known for slow paced classical films like Nayagan, Kuruthipunal and Anbe Sivam. But, unfortunately 'Uthama Villain' does not belong to that category. The makers could have chopped many unwanted scenes in the film and make the film more engaging towards the audience.

Overall, the film is totally intended to satisfy Kamal's thirst of his passion, but the makers have left the audience' thoughts behind. Hold your patience and watch out the film.

An Unadulterated Cinema Experience

[princeezra-184-40178 · 10/10 · 3 May 2015]

I have always been a big fan of KamalHaasan's writing more than his acting..And This movie proved a point yet again..The interest was clearly setup for me with Ghibran's terrific Background score and organic introduction of the protagonist(Manoranjan)..The story moves into a different dimension as it gradually progresses..Every character had an organic scope and beneath the story likes a "vision" that is kaleidoscopic. They are surely real time reflections of What Kamalhaasan is/was,What he has seen around him,his likes/dislikes of what happens around him is presented in a meta-est format.. If you can get "really" what the intro song duet conveys,you'll surely get to view more colors in the kaleidoscope..There is no justification/preaching but sheer presentation of reality less dramatically from the first shot till climax..I'm not a expert to judge technicalities but all i can say as a viewer is it was a "refreshing" cinematic experience that can never be got in anyone else's film except-"Kamal Haasan"

Quite a disappointment

[aadi-17023 · 1/10 · 16 May 2015]

Kamal fails both in terms of providing some entertainment and some good take away message.

Comedy is poor. Heroism is shown to advocate infidelity in relationships. Hard to sympathize or feel good about any character be it the hero, heroines, or the supporting actors. Female beauty is portrayed well which can be found in various other places easily. One small message can be that one needs to be passionate about his/her work to see beautiful outcomes which people do it subconsciously.That apart, nothing great. This movie can actually give youngsters some wrong message unlike the good Tamil movies which are loaded with values.

Can you believe... Its a flop!!! Tamil audience CLAPS....

[ihm-madan · 10/10 · 18 June 2015]

Epic of a movie. Epitome of brilliance.But, But its a Flop.Can you believe it? People who really love cinema should watch this. I don't think any other actor would have done justice to the role he has portrayed. Frame to frame, the clarity, the emotions, eternity, the only actor who can quench my thirst. I don't think any one has the right to review this genius. But then, anyone can appreciate. Appreciate and celebrate our Ullaga Nayagan. As usual a commercial failure. But a cult classic in coming years. For this actor the list grows on. Hope he stops aging, so that i can watch his movie for my life time.

Experience it!

[rangarajnaidu · 10/10 · 4 May 2015]

I would never like writing a review for this film, but seeing the first review, I thought it might mislead viewers and here is my perspective, and I'd like to go one by one: 1.The Story by Kamal Haasan is a class apart. Breaking away from traditional ones, this is about a filmstar, his life - highs and lows, his morality and mortality.Several themes are woven into one. The story is one that we never feel can be artificial. But so much stuff is put into this film that the complete essence of it cannot be captured in one view.

2.The Screenplay, which does transitions between the 21st and 8th century parts, has a lot of significance. Each transition, scene, frame and dialogue has inner meaning that has to be discovered.

3.Direction is good, if not fantastic. A lot of detailing is done in each scene and is a treat for observant eyes.

4.Acting - Kamal Haasan delivers his best. There is no lies in the emotions of his eyes in the Manoranjan he plays. They are very natural and subtle and no other actor could have pulled it off so effortlessly and perfectly. As Uttaman, his acting skills, expressions, dancing skills all are put on the screen. All the supporting ensemble cast - K.Vishwanath sir, Oorvasi, Pooja Kumar, Andrea, Parvathi Menon, KH's on screen son & Nasser do justice to their roles and waste no time. Special mention to K Balachander sir as Margadarshi and MS Bhaskar as Chokku. They just did something amazing!

5.Cinematography by Shamdutt is commendable in his job. In the song sequences, he does the best job...and anywhere else. His was another plus point in Uttama Villain.

6.This film is not a comedy. It is a wonderful emotional film that keeps you stuck to the screen but there is no melodrama. It has its own lighter moments which might not be appealing to all. Vfx could have been better.

This film is a masterpiece as there is intended subtlety at everything.It is very close to reality because no miracles or masala happen. Everyone has their role, the actors and the audience - We too take a part in it by feeling and connecting. While coming out of the theater, you shall have tears either in your heart or in your eyes - if you have properly experienced it. Finally it is up to you - to merely see the film and swear or experience and celebrate it!

Most under rated movie. But Kamal is best!

[sraavan-narayanan · 9/10 · 13 June 2015]

This movie was indeed emotional and has a lot of flaws in the direction. When I read the reviews posted by few others I felt that is complete nonsense and should review this movie. Movie these days has nothing. Except foul words, item songs and cheap dialogues. I guess you know which movie I am talking about. But this movie is like a lesson and in fact actors who consider doing roles based on background music and who is completely on masala terms should see this movie and learn what they call "acting". Kamal is a legend that is something no one can question. If one does then he is probably the one , you know. Kamal has done really good in few scenes where you never expected . Scenes are there in this movie which you can never ever forget. The movie did not go well in the box office. But indeed was appreciated by many. The reason why the movie did not go well was because the movie did not have santhanam, punch dialogues, item songs, cheap dialogues and of course a lazy storyline. An intellectual will definitely appreciate this movie.

Epic Fail

[raj_paras · 3/10 · 2 May 2015]

Kamal's movies fall into a special category. Whether you love or loathe them, you just cant ignore them. So, like most ardent film buffs, I too looked forward to his latest film Uttama Villain, hoping he would redeem himself after his previous fiascoes. Alas, I was proved wrong yet again!

Uttama Villain tells the story of an aging actor with a terminal illness (yawn!!) who wants to do one last movie with his mentor (played by Balachander) before having a life or death surgery. There's also quite a few side stories where he has an affair going on with his doctor, he meets his estranged love child, a daughter after a long time, has disagreements with his wife and father-in- law. And, his son hates him. Well, I am tired already.

Then there's the 'comedy' movie within the movie which seals the death nail on the audience. Its got to be one of the most juvenile, ridiculous attempts at comedy that you would have ever seen. Even your primary school skit would have more laughs. So, downright boring it is that Kamal and his cohorts (played by Nasser, Gnana Samandam & Shamuga Rajan) stoop so low and even resort to toilet humor and still fail to evoke any laughter. Every time the movie switched back to this movie-within-movie segment, I was dreading being bombarded with more boring jokes.

Every character in the movie either hams or cries incessantly and this includes Kamal. The emotional scenes seem forced and lack depth, so you don't feel anything for the characters. When you notice people laughing during emotional scenes & sitting silent during supposedly funny scenes, you know there's something definitely wrong with the film.

Kamal has used his scripting skills deftly to deliver some great stories in the past. But in recent times, they seem to be deserting him. It was evident in his previous works such as Manmadhan Ambu. Now, Uthama Villain takes the cake for the worst of all. I am going to have to watch re-runs of his yesteryear classics to retain my faith in him!

In one of the scenes in the movie, Kamal's son tells him that he wants to do a screenplay course abroad. Maybe its time Kamal himself enrolled in one such course!

Immortal Classic, Almost

[nomadsorion · 9/10 · 3 May 2015]

The vision of Kamal Haasan as a writer has been more detailed and way advanced this around than this previous movies. Even though Uttama Villain has a very simple story with an overload of common clichés as well as stated by kh itself in few of his pre-release interviews, the script stands out because of the greatly woven scenes that speak about immortality.

Many people who had watched the preview shows had claimed that Uttama Villain is a 'Blockbuster' material and it belongs to the series of Kamal Haasan's commercial entertainers and not his grand list of experimental movies. True? The movie has tried to be a commercial entertainer, but has failed and is rather a great experimental attempt.

Acting: Wouldn't be surprised if Kamal Haasan wins his 4th National Award for the Best Actor for this movie. He has lived his roles! In addition, all supporting actors have given a performance of their lifetimes. Overall, the acting in this movie is one of the finest in Tamil Cinema and it definitely is soul-stirring

Not a standard movie of Kamal Haasan

[purespy · 2/10 · 4 May 2015]

Best performer of the movie : K. Balachander. Worst part of the movie : story, make up. what is missing from the movie : interesting flashes, comedies. experience : very bad. other comments : this movie not worth of money I paid for the ticket. I don't understand why Kamal Haasan has acted in this movie, and produced as well.it is not at all a good movie to watch. It totally destroyed the expectation of the audiences. Even Kamal Haasan fans like me also totally disappointed out of this movie. this movie does not worth of unwanted postpone. total time waste. these 2 stars have been given for the great K. Balachander last performance. Salute to you sir.On the whole it is total money & time waste to watch the movie.

masterpiece

[sukanya-82260 · 10/10 · 3 May 2015]

Uttama villain is a very emotional drama.. a masterpiece act.. definitely not for ones who expect a commercial movie with fight and love..very character oriented movie.. kamal proves himself again and his mastery over acting.. Nassar has equally done his role well.. i really cant think of someone who can do this movie if not kamal..The climax needs a standing ovation..it definitely targets a set of audience who can understand the depth of the movie..daring attempt.. theyyam a long lost art is brought out beautifully and the way he delivers is mind blowing..Tribute to KB sir..he has lived his role..the cast requires a special applause.. Gibbran was outstanding with his songs and bgm... Hats off kamal sir!

Kamal's yet another masterpiece

[dinesh-50959 · 10/10 · 13 May 2021]

This movie started getting its recognition slowly after 6 years like all other Kamal sir's movie. In another 5-6 years i am sure this movie will achieve another cult classic status. So much detailing in each frame. The scene where Kamal convey his sickness to his son, wow!!! Such a masterpiece . This is not another comedy movie. It is more emotional connected with a movie inside a movie is conveyed brilliantly.

Art all the way!

[lonelysoul-98292 · 9/10 · 11 May 2020]

I got my longing desire of watching a modern day film with a K.Vishwanath-esque flavour. The best part is he also acted in this film. Uttama villain is a beautiful and emotional piece of art which shows the irony of a dying actor wanting to portray an immortal man in his last film. K.B sir got his fitting tribute! But why did this film fail at the box office? That's a question to be answered if only a major set of the audience appreciated art rather than kissing the butt of commercial films!

failed experiment from Kamal's camp

[ramyindya · 1/10 · 21 August 2019]

While you cannot debate or undermine the actor Kamal Hassan, his choice of some movies , be this or movies like Mumbai Express or Manmandhan ambu are nothing more than failed experiments The plot begins as if its a typical 90s plot about an ageing and dying actor with his set of family problems, then you get some good twists with medieval period and the story moves between the two periods . It is very difficult to find what and why is this correlation needed and what is achieves. Direction is just worst and production quality is as in a B grade movie or what you expect from a Vijaykanth or Ramarajan movies. The plot is confusing , not clear on what messages they want to bring in. There are some unnecessary songs too, to make it worse , testing your patience. Especially the duet in the beginning , is an absolute spoiler , with an ageing Kamal and Ageing Pooja , shown dancing non stop for some peppy numbers as in some B grade movie, its just sets the tone on what to expect from the movie. While Kamal fans might argue , this is a futuristic movie and will become cult in 2050. I just wish it turns out to be true , and I get some powers to understand this movie. Hope Kamal gets back to his strong screenplays he had in 90s hard hitting movies like Devar magan, Mahanadhi etc.

Thematically rich like European movies

[reachrajdream · 10/10 · 22 July 2016]

This review an attempt not to be one among the high class or not just a drop and come out with criticism.Just tried to be a common and sensitive type on this. Fans had to learn or evolve and just receive work, i.e., be content receiver and not jump on contenders,precisely not getting carried away by the examples(allusions analogy symbolism and metaphors in stories). Before shedding some time and money on a movie i know what not to expect and this movie is not been done to satisfy audience rather themselves(which in a way satisfies audience also sometimes and sometimes not) , i.e., this turn on movie making by the makers could be on for institutionalized awards. Again its just a story and focusing only on theme, as story is mere vehicle of theme(The story is sort of Shakespearean tragedy genre and thematically rich, an European film approach and theme driven/focused indeed, movie buffs might be aware of this on what to expected on the genre and approach but difficult for non movie buffs).

Usually this kind of theme people either choose in start(rarely like K.B, Aishwarya Dhanush) or end(Chaplin) and rarely in middle(could this be?Kamal and Raj Kapoor), the theme is death. This movie reminded me of Chaplin's Limelight and Raj Kapoor's My name is Joker both of these works coming during their end of their life/careers. All these artists finally showed their real face shedding their make-ups first and last time.This movie celebrates like Osho tells us to celebrate the Death. Interestingly this could be even beginning of someone's life as Alfred Nobeldid get to inspire to instill Awards in his name seeing people's reaction on his death news which published by mistake.

The scene which moved me like the most is the one by his son who himself never been serious before supporting his father before he bids adieu. It reminded me a scene in the Spanish movie the sea inside where the boy runs behind the Van which takes his uncle to hospital.Apart, there is something in this movie which reminded me of the movie Indran Chandran(a Telegu movie) as well. The irony which itself remains on 2 tracks qualifies this one to be a story to be told. The first 30 minutes actor showing the real face is a great risk like superstar does it for Baba which the actor is champion for. The literary contents and comedy are just okay as it looks like not very new as in Dasavatharam(2008). The realism in the movie shows Kamal Haasan's influence of Malayalam movies( a art/award/documentary/parallel movie stamp which sometimes a curse or blessing based on the depth of character,situation and story backdrop/background and the realism is the gap or silence for the viewers heart to be filled but realism mostly divorces from entertainment for some i guess ). His last minutes reveal that next birth also an artist which reveals the spirit of showmanship. The artists will always be there nobody dies for that matter. They never die, i mean nobody does they leave something-their marks and genes.

Source: My blog below: http://rajeshsgravity.blogspot.in

A good film

[cevinms · 5/10 · 16 June 2015]

Uttama Villain is a good film. Especially I think it would have been the India's answer to Alejandro González Iñárritu's Birdman.

Interestingly uttama villain has some similarities with bird man. With due respect I don't think its copied or an inspiration. But Uttama Villain lack what bird man had. A visionary /extra ordinary director like Alejandro and a great technical crew.

Uttama villain doesn't come together as a cohesive whole. Not able to communicate with the audience sometimes, a beat missing. I think problem is the crew which Kamal Hassan choose to bring his vision to screen especially director of uttama villain. And also Kamal Hassan always caters to wrong audience (current generation of Tamil audience),because of that he has to compromise the quality of his vision ,thus final product doesn't satisfy neither of the audience(eg:Hey ram, Aalavandhan, Anbe Sivam, Kuruthipunal, Virumaandi) Critic Baradwaj Rangan said "Kamal Haasan's writing is so dense, overstuffed and layered. It's always a question whether directors can come up with the kind of wit and timing needed to fully make the transition from page to screen. Best Kamal Haasan movies are probably locked up inside his head, where they reside in the most perfect possible manner."

The seed of my bark My lifeless flesh Will respect someone else as God.

[sheikalthaf · 10/10 · 3 August 2021]

Kamal Hassan sir is an encyclopaedia of Tamil industry. In terms of writing , No one can create these kinda proper character arc's and unexpected character emotional connections like him.