Dasavathaaram is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language action‑thriller film written, directed, and produced by K. S. Ravikumar. The film was released on 13 June 2008 and is notable for starring actor Kamal Haasan in ten distinct roles, each representing one of the ten avatars (Dasavatharam) associated with Hindu mythology. The title translates from Tamil as “Ten Avatar” or “Ten Incarnations.”
Production
- Director/Producer/Writer: K. S. Ravikumar
- Music Composer: Hamsalekha (original score) and Harris Jayaraj (songs)
- Cinematography: K. V. Anand
- Editing: K. Thanigachalam
- Production Company: Sree Raam Productions
- Budget: Estimated ₹160–180 million (approximately US$2.5 million in 2008)
The film’s principal photography took place across multiple locations in India and the United States, including Chennai, Hyderabad, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Extensive prosthetic makeup and digital visual effects were employed to enable Haasan’s portrayal of ten separate characters ranging from a 12‑year‑old boy to an elderly scientist.
Cast
- Kamal Haasan as:
- Rangarajan “Ranga” (scientist)
- Govindarajan “Govind” (C.I.D. officer)
- Balram Naidu (terrorist leader)
- Shivram Singh (mentor figure)
- Anant Nag (father)
- Krishnamurthy (journalist)
- Nambi (lab assistant)
- John (software engineer)
- Makrand (politician)
- Narayana (sapient animal)
- Other Principal Actors:
- Asin as Dr. Nisha Nair (Ranga’s love interest)
- Anu Hasan as Ravikanth’s wife
- State Minister Dr. Venkatesh (supporting role) – portrayed by Paresh Rawal (Hindi dub)
Plot Overview
The narrative interweaves themes of bioterrorism, scientific ethics, and global terrorism. Dr. Rangarajan, a virologist, inadvertently creates a deadly pathogen (the “Virus”) which is later stolen by the extremist group led by Balram Naidu. As the virus threatens worldwide catastrophe, multiple protagonists—most notably C.I.D. officer Govindarajan—race against time to locate and neutralize the pathogen. Haasan’s ten characters intersect at various points, each contributing uniquely to the resolution of the crisis.
Release and Reception
- Box Office: The film earned over ₹1.0 billion worldwide, becoming one of the highest‑grossing Tamil films of 2008.
- Critical Response: Reviews praised Haasan’s versatility and the technical ambition of portraying ten roles, while noting uneven pacing in certain segments. The film received a mixture of commercial and critical acclaim, with particular commendation for its visual effects and makeup artistry.
- Awards: Haasan received several awards for his performance, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. The film also won technical awards for makeup, visual effects, and sound design at the 56th National Film Awards (India).
Soundtrack
The soundtrack, composed by Harris Jayaraj, consists of eight songs and a background score by Hamsalekha. Notable tracks include “Minsara Poove” and “Kuththukkal Venum,” both of which achieved significant radio airplay.
Cultural Impact
Dasavathaaram is frequently referenced in discussions of cinematic multitasking, primarily due to Haasan’s unprecedented ten‑role performance in a single Tamil feature. The film’s title and concept have reinforced public familiarity with the traditional Hindu notion of the “Dasavatara” (the ten principal avatars of the deity Vishnu), though the storyline itself does not directly retell the mythological narratives.
Home Media and Legacy
The film was released on DVD, Blu‑ray, and digital streaming platforms with subtitles in multiple languages. It remains a benchmark in Indian cinema for its ambitious scope and has inspired subsequent multilingual productions that explore multiple character portrayals by a single actor.