India's costliest film 'Dasavatharam' released : Down South : Tamil News : ApunKaChoice.Com


ApunKaChoice.Com	IndiaExpress.Com CricketZone.Com
Set as Homepage \| Add to favorites

RSS

HOME | SCOOP!! & NEWS | DOWN SOUTH : TAMIL

Kamal Haasan

India's costliest film 'Dasavatharam' released
14th June 2008 14.00 IST
By Agencies

Kamal Haasan 's magnum opus Dasavatharam , featuring the superstar in 10 roles, was released across the country on Friday with fans celebrating the occasion by pouring milk on their idol's cut-outs and posters and performing 'aarti'.

The Tamil film, the costliest-ever movie in India made with a colossal budget of nearly Rs 65 crore, was also released in Telugu and Hindi.

‘Dasavatharam’ was released in 50 cinemas in Chennai and its suburbs alone. Most of them carried 'Houseful' boards in the morning itself but people were still seen thronging them.

Haasan fans made a beeline to many cinemas and celebrated the release by pouring milk on his cutouts and posters and performing 'aarti'. The actor essays 10 different roles from a Vaishnavite priest to US President George W Bush.

The fans were happy that the film was screened after it surmounted legal hurdles. The Supreme Court had Thursday dismissed a petition seeking a stay on the film's screening alleging it would hurt religious sentiments of Vaishnavites.

"Kamal Haasan has made a great movie. He is awesome in his 10 avatars," said a fan in Chennai.

While Asin plays the heroine, Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat adds to the glamour quotient.

In Mumbai, the film was released in 27 cinemas. "We have released the film with sub-titles at multiplexes," Nambi Rajan, exhibitor and distributor said.

"'Dasavatharam' has been in news since the time of its making and is sure to arouse curiosity among the ten roles Kamal Haasan has performed. Basically, the film is good and the trade reports are also excellent," he said.

A spokesperson of Cinemax chain of multiplexes in Mumbai said the opening for the film was extremely satisfactory. The box office collections were about 70 per cent and the movie elicited a pan-Indian audience.

Cinemax is currently exhibiting the film in its six theatres all over Mumbai, with 14 shows. It had released Rajnikant 's Sivaji too and both films have received equal response in the opening week.

In Delhi, the film was released in most PVRs. A special preview saw matinee icon and Kamal Haasan's contemporary Rajnikant reportedly describing the movie as an "extraordinary effort".

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, veteran actor Nagesh and actress Manorama and other top stars have also praised Haasan's performance in the movie after watching a special screening.

While Himesh Reshammiya has made the musical score, top-notch lyricists Vaalee and Vairamuthu have penned the lyrics. Actors Jayaprada , Nagesh and Napolean among others comprise the rest of the cast.

‘Dasavatharam’ has had its fair share of controversies, with the courts being approached for redress. While an assistant director claimed the plot to be his, a Vaishnavite organisation moved the High Court and Supreme Court seeking a stay on its screening.

However, the courts ruled in favour of producer Oscar Movies and decks were cleared for its release.

Related
Kamal Haasan
Dasavatharam
Asin
Mallika Sherawat
Rajnikant
Sivaji
Himesh Reshammiya
Jayaprada