Review By: Faisal Saif
As usual, Before I start reviewing the film, Let me assure you Vishwaroop does not hurt any community’s sentiments in any ways. This whole ‘Ban Vishwaroopam‘ heat in the Press and Media was for real or created, I am now confused after watching Vishwaroop. As far as the film goes, There was nothing new in it which was never witnessed earlier. The Bomb Plantings, Suicide Bombers, ‘Jihadi’ Preparations, Rescue Missions etc.
The movie starts with Dr Nirupama (Pooja Kumar) talking to her psychiatrist Zarina Wahab about her husband Vishwanath aka Wiz (Kamal Hassan). Married to him out of the convenience he was a green card holder in the US, she overlooked his age and other issues but when it came to the point when she finds the right person that she feels for, she wanted to be sure she wasn’t the only one doing the dirty deed. Now, the psychiatrist is confused and so are we.
Nirupama hired a private investigator to do the digging and he becomes our main story follow character. But what seems like a domestic issue between 2 individuals that are bound by marriage, turns into much more when the private investigator loses his target but ends up getting killed on his pursuit a secretive group of men seeming to be working for a disabled man named Omar (Rahul Bose). Before dying, The detective finds out a shocking-truth about Viz that actually turns Nirupama’s world upside down. Vishwanath is a Muslim.
Why was the detective killed? Who is Omar? What connections Vishwanath has with Omar?
The story then moves to Afghanistan where some more Reality-Check begins.
On the frank note, The starting 40 Minutes of the film is just Mind-Blowing and goes Flawless. But as soon as the film moves to Afghanistan, The confusions and loop-holes starts. The first question that comes to your mind is how can a Husband hide his Identity from his Wife for such a Long Time of a Married-Life? No Explanations were given about the ‘Jihadi’ Kamal Haasan joining the most feared Terrorist Group helm ed by Omar (Rahul Bose) in Afghanistan. Moreover, Wisam (Kamal Haasan) also gives them the ‘Jihadi-Training’! So Easy? The film is also very long and drags in most of it parts.
Kamal Haasan as the ‘Sissy’ dancer Vishwanath is just Fabulous. He performs all the three roles in the film with his best acting capabilities. Pooja Kumar as Nirupama is also very charming. In fact she is the one who really provides some Comic-Relief. Shekhar Kapur and Andreah Jeremiah has very few scenes in their kitty. But the actor who ‘Over-Shadowed’ Kamal Haasan (In some scenes) is Rahul Bose as Omar. The actor creates Terror on the screen. Thankfully, Equal scope is provided to the actor from Kamal Haasan.
On the Technical sides, Right from the cinematography (Sanu Varghese) to music/background score (Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy) except Editing (Especially)The way the team has come together and become the backbone support to the mastermind name Kamal Haasan. The duration of the film is too long.
Vishwaroop is long and boring in parts. The film has nothing new to offer leaving apart the starting 40 Minutes of the film. I will recommend this movie to only Kamal Haasan ‘Fanatics’. Just a one time watch!
Cast: Kamal Haasan, Pooja Kumar, Rahul Bose, Shekhar Kapur
Directed By: Kamal Haasan
Ratings: ** (2/5)
