Direction: R. Sukumaran
Cast: Thalaivasal Vijay. Mammootty,Kalabahvan Mani, Devan, Babu Antony, Jagathy Sreekumar
Yugapurushan is a period film about the life of Sree Narayana guru and his impact on the socio-political landscape of Kerala.The theme is holy to Malayalis,the Guru already a avatar for the redemption of the downtrodden.Hence any film on the Guru's life wouldn't have much new to tell the well informed Malayali audience.Still people would enjoy the experience of watching the true Guru in the age of phoney swamis.
So the film has the right reason..but is that enough?..Is a good intent enough to make a theme into a good film?..No.Thats what the makers of Yugapurushan fail to understand.They are force feeding the audience at many points, pushing the guru into a magician's role.That would be an insult to a man who raised to the level of the Gods by selfless service to mankind mixed with the Sanathana Dharma and spiritual knowledge of Bharath.He didn't sport a suit and try to be an Ambedkar,instead he created an awakening in the minds of the people.He realized 'defeat' is a feeling,a feeling which a Dalit is driven into in his childhood itself.
The scenes of Guru pushing a fishing boat stuck in the sand with a touch,he making a tiger disappear..huh..I would say it would work with the overtly faithful,but not infront of audience looking for say.."artistic enlightenment"
Inspite of these glitches this film gives an insight into the Guru's life and most of the part it is a wonderful experience.More than anything I would thank the director for casting Vijay as Guru.He knows who he is potraying and does his job with grace.Yes,such roles require a grace that transcends mere cinematic ability,Vijay has that.He has a dignified look too.
Some frames of the film are brilliant and some out of an 'SNDP' publication.Frankly at some point there is a tendency to rollover other great reformers..which is say 'natuaral' from a devotee.
The film is part cinema,part documentary,part propaganda but overall the film survives on the message it gives.Its relevance transcends time and points fingers at what happened to the legacy of the Guru.
The cast is really good,but I need to get my hands on the make up man[:X].Smearing ash on face(only) doesn't make anybody a Dalit.Though caricatures should be expected, there is an overflow here.So I would say there isn't much new..but the life and work of Guru is such that nothing new needs to be added.
This film has the right intent, a good cast.A mix of realism would have made the film global,but guess we aren't ready for that yet.Here the message is global..the film isn't;.
Anyway brilliant effort.
One of favorite lines from the film..the Guru reacting to the wails of a poor untouchable being lashed.."അടിച്ചു അടിച്ചു ഉണര്തട്ടെ.."(let them be awakened by pain)
2.5/5
