When Kamal Haasan Played 10 Different Avatars In This Movie

Kamal Haasan is a multifaceted talent in the world of Indian cinema. Renowned not only as an exceptional actor but also as a director, dancer, playback singer, lyricist, and screenwriter, his contributions span a wide spectrum. Although his primary focus has been on Tamil cinema, Kamal Haasan has showcased his versatility in films across multiple languages, including Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, Hindi, and Telugu.

Kamal Haasan is widely regarded as a perfectionist, consistently pushing the boundaries of his craft. His penchant for innovation and experimentation is evident throughout his career. One standout example is his role in the 2008 Tamil-language science fiction action film, Dasavathaaram, where he portrayed ten distinct characters. This film serves as a testament to his artistic daring.

Directed by K. S. Ravikumar, Dasavathaaram features Kamal Haasan in the lead role, alongside Asin, Jaya Prada, Mallika Sherawat, and K. R. Vijaya in supporting roles. In this movie, Kamal Haasan undertakes a remarkable acting feat by assuming ten diverse characters, each with its distinctive traits and background:

Rangarajan Ramanuja Nambi – A 12th-century Vaishnavite priest (inspired by Matsya).

George Bush – Portraying the 43rd President of the United States (inspired by Kurma).

Krishnaveni – A religious woman at Chidambaram, also known as Andal’s grandmother (inspired by Varaha).

Shingen Narahazi – A martial artist from Japan seeking vengeance for his sister Yuka’s death and protecting Govind from Fletcher (inspired by Narasimha).

Khalifullah Mukhtar – A towering Tamil Muslim with gigantism, aiding Govind and Andal (inspired by Vamana).

Christian “Chris” Fletcher – A former rogue CIA agent turned mercenary (inspired by Parashurama).

Avathar Singh – A famous Indian pop singer deeply in love with his wife Ranjitha (inspired by Rama).

Balram Naidu – A high-ranking Telugu police officer in India (inspired by Balarama).

Vincent Poovaraghan – A Malayali social activist opposing a politically backed sand mafia (inspired by Krishna).

Govindarajan Govind Ramaswamy – An NRI bio-scientist in the United States who unravels the mystery of a deadly bioweapon (inspired by Kalki).

Dasavathaaram was an ambitious project, with a production duration spanning nearly three years. It was produced and primarily distributed by V. Ravichandran. The film’s soundtrack featured songs composed by Himesh Reshammiya, with the background score crafted by Devi Sri Prasad. The movie made a significant impact at the box office, grossing an impressive US$46 million worldwide against a budget of US$14 million.