Attahasa

My review: Attahasa

A.M.R.Ramesh known for his movies based on real life incidents, this time has tried his hands on the biopic of famous forest brigand Veerappan. Extensive research that has gone about in the making of this movie is astounding and the result shows on screen. It is as authentic it can get as a biopic on the brigand. 

Ramesh has chosen not to take sides which has bode well for the movie. It is a third man's perspective of what really happened rather than why it happened, by which he has also steered away from controversy (though he eventually had to compromise with the brigand's wife regarding the portions which portray's her character). Narrative style, though docudramaish, the screenplay is so engaging that it never tires the viewers. 

Second half gather more steam and is replete with action till the end. 

Ramesh has tried to incorporate most of the significant events in the rise and fall of Veerappan. One glaring exception being that movie has totally ignored the work done by Walter Devaram who was one of the heads of the joint STF during the 90's (Ramesh has tried to redeem himself by having a snapshot of him in the end credits). 

It is hard to present a story like this without much dramatization and idolization, but Ramesh has done just that which deserves applause. Luckily the Kannada version has not been butchered as mercilessly as the Tamil version, hence the screenplay and the narrative is lucid. Only drawback is that it is humorous to see all the Tamil characters mouthing flawless Kannada dialogues. Voice-over would have made it more authentic.

Arjun as the dashing (now legendary) chief special task force officer Vijaykumar is brilliant. His body language, demeanor and style is apt for the role. Kishore is excellent as Veerappan. He doesn't have much scope to emote by scores more than sufficiently by his body language and camouflaging himself into the character. Most of Vijaylakshmi's scenes are blurred and hence it is difficult to comment on her contribution to the movie. Suresh Oberai as actor Rajkumar is apt while Ravi Kale, Laxmi Rai, Shika, Sampath Raj and A.M.R.Ramesh have done their parts adequately.

Vijay Milton's cinematography is brilliant. He has captured the beautiful, dangerous terrains of Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border well. His hard work is evident in every frame each of which is flawlessly shot.

Sandeep Chowta's background score is okay. Many places there is too much sound where a more mellow score would have doubled the impact.

On the whole, "Attahasa" is one of the better biopics one has come across in Indian film industry.

Bottomline: Hard work needs appreciation.

3.5/5