Unnaipol Oruvan Tamil Movie
Chakri Toleti makes his debut with this remake of 'A Wednesday'. And the film with a good story line impresses. It is a story that is akin to Kollywood, moving away from songs and duets.
City Police Commissioner, Raghava Marar (Mohan Lal), who has been sacked only the day before, recalls an unusual story of his career that was never recorded. The story began with an anonymous call. And the caller (Kamal Haasan) demanded the release of four terrorists, who were in jail. Or else he would trigger several bombs that he had planted in the city. Marar is in quite a tight spot. With several lives at stake, he has no choice but to agree to the demands and he makes arrangements to release the terrorists. Although the entire responsibility has been entrusted to Marar, he finds bureaucratic interference often coming in his way, especially the Chief Secretary, (Lakshmi), who does not see eye to eye with him. Marar assumes charge and to assist him are his two trusted aides, (Ganesh Venkatram and Dr. Bharath Reddy). Also keeping a track of the story is a television reporter, Natasha (Anuja Iyer). Natasha is led into this breaking story by the anonymous caller who also calls her at regular intervals.
The story takes an unexpected twist after the three freed terrorists are killed. Questions about the identity of the caller and his motive behind this operation arise now. This is not another militant story showing the minority community in poor light. It addresses an issue rampant today in our society and which plagues the common man. Thought provoking and keeping the audience engaged the film eggs the viewer to ponder.
Kamal Haasan, the brilliant actor that he is delivers this role played by Naseeruddin Shah in the original. However, his rhetoric (when he reveals himself as the 'common man,' who does not belong to any particular community), seems a little less effective than Naseeruddin Shah's, which was hard hitting. Mohan Lal, as the city cop is good, though his fans who remember performances of this stalwart in his mother tongue, might feel disappointed. Was the Tamil language coming in the way of his delivery? Ganesh Venkatram as the tough cop Arif impresses. Indeed a different Ganesh from 'Abhiyum naanum,' days. Dr. Bharat Reddy as the other cop makes a mark. Anuja Iyer essays her character well without overplaying it. Lakshmi as the Chief Secretary is good. The background score by Shruti Haasan is in tune with the pace of the movie.
While comparisons with the original are bound to happen, Unnaipol Oruvan is a good remake. And for those who haven't watched 'A Wednesday,' there is never a dull moment. Indeed a break indeed for the 'common man' from the run of the mill stories and comes as a whiff of fresh air.
