Just like a virus multiplies like crazy, so too Kamal's brilliant ideas that take on different avatars, and his latest inspiration is 'Dasavataram.'

In the film, P Vasu character asks Kamal, "So you think you are a big world hero?" and Kamal replies, "Yes, you could say that," and it seems like an indication of his talent in reality. Apart from doing 10 different incarnations, Kamal has shouldered the responsibility of the story, screenplay and dialogues, a great effort in Tamil cinema.

The screenplay spanning a 2004 incident to an incident in the 12th century, is something new. Even in those days, there were religious extremists while today we have scientific developments, ambition and intelligence battling within our brains, and the screenplay intelligently weaves both spirituality and scientific elements together.

Kamal works as a scientist at a research station in America, where a deadly bio-warfare weapon is being developed. The chief scientist wants to use this for evil ends. Coming to know of this, Kamal makes off with the container. He is chased by the villain gang.

The container finds its way to India. On one hand, Kamal is chased by the police and on the other, by the villain's gang. What Kamal does to save mankind from disaster, forms the rest of the film.

Rangarajan Nambi, scientist, villain Fletcher, RAW investigating officer Balram Naidu, Kung-fu master, Dalit leader Vincent, old lady Krishnaveni, a noble man Kalifulla Khan, pop singer Avatar Singh, George Bush are the 10 roles done by Kamal in this film with great aplomb.

In the roles of villain Fletcher, Balram Naidu, Kung-fu master, Bush and Vincent, Kamal not only looks different, his body language and voice are also wonderfully individual. Especially noteworthy is his comedy in the role of Balram Naidu - he has the theatre in splits.

Usually, Tamil films portray some unbelievable fighting ability of the hero pitted against the villains, but it is commendable that in 'Dasavataram,' Kamal does only what a scientist would be capable of in fighting his opponents. But in jumping down easily off skyscrapers without even a scratch, Kamal is stretching things too far in his screenplay. 

Napoleon as Kulathunga Chola and his men try to apprehend the Ranganatha idol. The body build of Kamal shows believable strength when he tries to stop them. Such accuracy in character depiction is possible when mega actors like Kamal are involved.

Not cowed down by the king's threat, Kamal is stupendous when he raises the cry of "Om namo Narayana..."  When he's suspended upside down and dangles in mid air, one is mixed with the emotions of pity, thrill and courage. That speaks for Kamal's convincing emoting.

When the American villain and Japanese Kung-fu master clash, the former asks if he remembers Hiroshima and Nagasaki, for which the latter asks if the other remembers Pearl Harbour! The claps that this scene evokes in the knowledgebale audience, is kudos to Kamal as the dialogue writer.

Sand mining, spiritual and atheist extremists, President Bush's activities, are some of the details of what is ailing today's world that Kamal has delved into and screenplay writer Kamal deserves lot of credit for that. Kamal as dialogue writer has also written many pearls of wisdom that many would be able to appreciate.

The good die and bad survive in the sweeping tsunami, teaching us all a lesson. The intellectual and spiritual interaction between Kamal and Asin are full of a thousand meanings. In the climax, Kamal and Asin leaning and chatting by the 12th century idol that emerges from the tsunami is a touch of great screenplay.

Looking at the helicopter ands car chases, is like watching a Hollywood thriller. Since most of a viewer's concentration is on Kamal's 10 character roles and the details that have gone into it, most other cast members are overlooked.

The editing is so good, one can hardly distinguish between reality and graphics. Art direction by Sameer Chandha, Thotta Tharani and M Prabakaran are praiseworthy. Hair stylist and make-up artists have been a major support to Kamal's brilliant work.

Devisrip[rasad's background score and Himseh Reshamiyya's music add strength to the film. Ravivarman's cinematography is like the 11th great avatar of the film. As the director, K S Ravi Kumar should be given a big hand shake but why is it that his special directorial touch is not evident anywhere in the film?

‘Dasavataram' is a winner.