Unnaipol Oruvan movie review

Starring: Kamal Haasan, Mohanlal, Anuja Iyer, Nasser, Lakshmi.
Direction: Chakri Toleti
Music: Shruti Haasan
Production: Rajkamal International, UTV Motion Pictures

After keeping the movie buffs in suspense over its release due to its legal wrangles, Unnaipol Oruvan, the Tamil remake of ‘A Wednesday,’ produced by Raaj Kamal Films International has finally made it much to the relief of everyone associated with it. The job of director Chakri Toleti is easy and difficult – easy as a readymade story was in front of him and hard as he has to make the content relatable to Tamil audience. By and large, the film has remained loyal to the original script.

What could happen when a common man is pushed beyond his realms of patience and what are its consequences? Unnaipol Oruvan throws light on these issues and the triumph of humanity and its effect on national integration. Indirectly, the film says terrorism can only be held in check by terrorism.

UPO is about certain events that happen in one busy day in a Police Commissioner’s life. He receives an anonymous phone call asking for a release of four terrorists in police custody. Although the commissioner takes the call lightly, he realizes the seriousness of the issue soon and a group is formed to tackle the demands of this call. The gripping events that unfold subsequently are recounted in a riveting manner.

Mohanlal brings forth the responsible Police Commissioner and the unruffled manner in which he deals with a tense situation justifies his recent military award for acting. Kamal, as the angered citizen, has portrayed his emotions and feelings in the right measure. In the last few scenes, when he picks the vegetables from the ground in a composed manner suggests that he is after all an ordinary citizen. His pain and twinge are highly palpable when he is keen to finish off the terrorists. The sequences where Kamal has used his personal experience are enjoyable as regards to non-receipt of voters ID card.

All the characters have been understood and essayed perfectly by the artistes. Anuja Iyer, as the TV reporter, has risen up to the occasion and so does Ganesh Venkatram. Camera and music are in sync with the mood of the film and enhance the tension when required. Although UPO has its flaws, they are negligible when compared to the film in totality.

All in all, a brilliant work which will be appreciated by every socially responsible citizen of India.

"Jai Hind"