I went in first day with no idea about the movie.So,all we noticed was the commercial aspect of the movie.I saw no story in it and hence jumped to a conclusion.Basically,we didn't have time to think about the supposed 'flaws'.For instance,initially i found the 12th century scenes had no relevance to the plot.The whole thing made no sense.But,the movie is little too perfect.
This write-up is only for those who have already watched the movie.To the rest,this could be Greek and Latin.
Firstly,the entire movie revolves around a certain 'chaos theory' and 'butterfly effect'.The Govind Kamal mentions this in the beginning of the movie.Few would have noticed it first time amidst the shouts from fans.The chaos theory is simple.It is how the 10 characters who are strangers among themselves get related,rather help themselves out.Now,for all those who thought that the 12th century incident was unwanted....
The chola king drowns the statue.As it hits the sea-bed,it causes an explosion creating a rift between tectonic plates.This gradually expands and results in the Tsunami.Although the epicentre is not anywhere near Chidambaram which suggests that the plates float over a period of time.Now let me try to explain the Chaos theory in the movie.
In essence,Dasavatharam talks about 10 characters who are inconsequential as such,but are integrated in a larger picture.Without Bush,the plane would have been called back.Without Shinghen, Govind would be dead.Without the tsunami(thanks to the statue...in turn thanks to Nambi),the world would have been destroyed.Even Krishnaveni Patti plays a very important role.If she had not put the vial in the idol,maybe Govind would have recovered it then and there and a powerful weapon would have been unleashed.The very fact that it went into the idol meant that it was being accelerated to its destiny.Without Kaifulla Khan, Govind would have never escaped;the list simply goes on.Balaram Naidu lets Fletcher escape.Vincent saves Govind from the sand-mafia.Hence,no character is unwanted,though it seems so at first sight.These strangers control their own destiny.
The butterfly effect is the most important component of a chaotic system.Basically,small perturbations results in amplifications which completely destroys the original nature of the system and makes prediction impossible.If a butterfly flaps its wings in Africa,it COULD result in a cyclone in USA.A highly dumbed down explanation of the butterfly effect is in the film Anniyan,where Vikram's sister dies because a liquor shop owner sells liquor on a dry day.
Also,the Govind character could well be intended to be a reincarnation of Nambi.Nambi strongly believes in his God and refuses to give up on him.Govind is his exact opposite.Also the same could be said of Asin.The 12th century Asin gives up God to save her husband but the 21st century Asin never once gives up on her 'perumal'.During the encounter with sand mafia in the sand quarry, it is repeat of the incident from 12th century. Instead of Kulothunga Chozhan, it is the Sand Mafia who tries to inflict damage on the land.Note that the 'land' here is the same.Asin stumbles on a rock while burying the statue...which the same rock where the 12th century Asin throws her 'thaali'.All these highlight the circle of life.
This movie is a brilliant juxtaposition of independent characters whose paths cross, if only briefly, which is stunning example of Chaos Theory.
All these theories fall under Quantum Mechanics!!Thats not the end.
Let me reach out to a FAR FAR FAR-FETCHED THEORY.Kamal Hasaan usually has this knack of playing with symbols.Hey-Ram was one example.
The only symbol that looked weird probably was the '+' band-aid across Kamal's forehead.What could that mean?
Obviously your mind goes to Christianity.The Christ symbol is a vertical line ABOVE which comes the horizontal line.This could even be noted in the way the christians pray.However,the band-aid has the vertical line coming over the horizontal.It looks like this one is an indication of anti-christ.In simple words,if Christ looks out to save the world..anti-christs look for destruction.Our hero has found a potential world-destroying weapon!That puts him under the anti-christ category,doesn't it?
This is still not the end of it.The title is not only to indicate Kamal donning ten roles...but the characters themselves are related to Lord Vishnu's Das Avathars.It is the irony of all irony's.
The movie is too clever that it has made a lazy bum like me to come up with such a big post.It is a must-watch,no doubt!
