Well although I knew that Dashavatharam was started as a competition to the big hit Sivaji – The Boss, I did not expect much out of it. This film is the most expensive Indian film ever made and has shown that Hollywood is not the only place for CGI movies. This movie has been controversial right from the start with Vidya Balan opting out and copying the idea from somewhere else and all but they have risen above it all. His 10 character role is record breaking after Sanjeev Kumar’s 9 roles in Naya Din Nayi Raat.

I haven’t seen it yet but here’s what I know. A theatre in Chennai showing 45 shows a day has been booked completely for the next 20 days or so. Even all the Bachchans’ combined efforts couldn’t achieve that. The movie travels across centuries beginning in the 12th century and ends up in the 21st century in 2008.
The film starts with the Chowla dynasty. King Kulo Thunga Chowla (Napoleon) is angry with a Brahmin priest Rangraja Nambi (Kamal Haasan). Nambi is thrown out in the ocean with a statue of Lord Vishnu. Nambi resurfaces and plays nine more characters. He plays Govind Somaya, Avtaar Singh, Balaram Naidu, Christian Fletcher, Shingen Narahashi, President George W. Bush, Vincent Babru Vahan, Krishnaveni Paati and Kalifulla Khan. All linked to each other. Even Asin does a double role: she plays Kothai and Andal, and Mallika Sherawat playing Jasmine and Jaya Prada playing Ranjita Singh.
Jackie Chan was the star guest at the grand and glitzy audio launch function of Dasavatharam held in April in Chennai. Amitabh Bachchan, Mallika Sherawat, Kamal Hassan, Karunanidhi, Asin Thottumkal and others were present.
The movie is a comedy meant for all ages. Hopefully this show won’t sell out in Mumbai before I get a chance to see it.