Ever since the release of Dasavatharam on Friday, June 13, our mailboxes and message boards have been overflowing with responses to the movie from readers around the world. Below are a few excerpts from some of the posts we loved. Click here to post your review or read what others are saying about Kamal Hassan's new movie.

Kamal is a genius
I watched the movie in the US and it was mind-blowing. For all people who believe this movie did not have a story line or there was nothing special- all I have to say is this is not a typical masala film. This is a movie to be appreciated by Intelligent people. Just the first 20 minutes of the movie in the 12th century depicts the amount of effort Kamal has put into a movie like this. The movie tells so many stories - soil erosion, Mother nature, Love is God, bio medicine -- you can just go on and the reason to bring out different characters and spin them into the story is to weave in the Chaos theory. After all the effort he puts in, when people write unmeaningful reviews, it makes one feel sorry for him. Kamal is truly a genius - a place like the US may be able to appreciate him better.
-- Sujatha

All about Dasavatharam

You don't need a PhD to understand Dasavatharam
Dasavatharam is an excellent film - well knit avatars, seamless plot, a brilliant Kamal. One, as many believe, does not need a Phd to understand this film. It's about the basic questions that haunt us from time to time – Why me? Why us? Is there a God? What's the point of faith? Why do certain things happen the way they do? The chaos theory explained succinctly without any frills at the beginning of the film, is the peg on which the story unravels these states of being that afflict everyone.

Dasavatharam re-ignited questions Jose Saramago's The Gospel According to Jesus Christ threw up – Is God really good? Is evil in fact more empathetic to the human condition – depraved minds who conceive biological warfare – and therefore there is necessary evil, namely the tsunami

It doesn't answer. It's not here to answer. If art mimics life, then Dasavatharam does so fabulously while adapted for the silver screen with some rib tickling comedy. Sadly there's mediocre music and an annoying Asin as Drishti Parikaram. But as the Tsunami in the film demonstrated, there are certain compromises to be made for the greater good. So shut out Asin's rambling and the same goes for the music.
---- A Sambandan

Ten too many
I watched the movie in Auckland. Sixteen of us went with lots of energy. The grand opening fuelled our already hyped mood. But ten roles do tire you out. And I got the feeling that three roles were just added for taking the count to ten. All in all, Kamal has tired to do an "all in all Azhagu Raja" stuff... It would have been interesting if Kamal had essayed the heroine's role as well and romanced with himself in the silver screen.

But watch Dasavatharam for technical elegance and the wonderful make-up -- never before seen in Tamil movies..

Verdict: One avatharam would have been enough to save the movie... ten is one too many..:) Watch it just for Kamal.
-- Kesava

FAQs on Dasavatharam
Some guys have claimed they haven't understood chaos theory which plays such an important part in the film. As a physics student, I've decided to explain it a bit so that people can appreciate the brilliance of the film.

What is Chaos?
Basically a chaotic system is one wherein long term predictions are impossible. Like for example, if I push a car, I know that it is going to move and it will continue to do so if I go on pushing it on and on. However, in a chaotic system, this situation cannot be predicted over a long period of time. Weather, for example, is a chaotic system. No matter how good your instruments are, you simply cannot predict the weather with 100 per cent accuracy over a long term basis and forecast it.

What is the Butterfly Effect?
It 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.(Mark the word COULD.) 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.

OK, how does Dasa incorporate it?

In essence, Dasa talks about eight 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, the world would have been destroyed. Even Krishnaveni (the old woman) 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 Kaifulllah Khan, Govind would have never escaped... the list simply goes on.

OK, so does the film talk about theism or atheism?
Neither. It talks about how humans drive the destiny of the world.

The idol that is drowned in the sea along with Rangarajan in 12th century by Chozha king results in a fault being developed at the bottom of the ocean and creates tremors more than 800 years later. These tremors result in the Tsunami. This again is a classic case of Butterfly Effect wherein a seemingly inconsequential event (the drowning of the idol) saves Tamil Nadu from being wiped off the face of the earth.

Now tell me, does THIS movie lack a story? This movie has the most beautiful story ever attempted in Indian cinema. Unfortunately, Indian viewers and critics are obsessed with the "boy meets girl" and "revenge" themes, so they fail to see the story in this master piece.
-- Chaos Theory

Not a masala movie
Hats Off! Mr Kamal, this is a splendid effort in brining an out-of-the-box concept and complex story telling style to Indian Cinema.

The initial part of the movie should be watched very carefully, you'd understand that the audience will start experiencing "Chaos Theory" and how Mother Nature involves lives of various people in delaying the delivery of biological WMDs to a social criminal.

Kamal has been highly successful in executing his concept and in-coherency in storyline is a deliberate act to explain "Chaos Theory".

This is a very intelligent movie - not a masala movie. If you want to enjoy an intellectual work, this is the movie to watch.

Not sure if this will create commercial landmarks, but sure to bring in new concepts, new story telling styles, new technologies to Indian Cinema.

KUDOS to the entire team!

Every technician involved in this movie should really feel proud to be associated with Dasavatharam.
-- Vinodh Kumar

A next-generation film
Dasavatharam has just left me spell bound. What an amazing performance from Kamal. In all the ten roles he has played, he differentiates every role with his body language and voice modulation. Simply superb performance characteristic of the greatest actor on earth. All though the film, we can see the hard work put in by the entire crew to the making of this epic. To interlink all the 10 roles in the film is not a mean task and K S Ravikumar has handled the direction part very well as usual and has turned this film into a commercial entertainer to be enjoyed by the family. All in all, Dasavatharamis a next generation film. Kudos to Kamal and the entire crew.
-- Srinivasan K

Not Kamal's best
We must appreciate the efforts of Kamal to play so many roles in different make-ups. Though his acting is great, the movie fails in story, screenplay. It is slightly better than Aalavandhan.

All the 10 roles have been done well with different voice modulation. But some make-ups do look artificial.

Music: Should have been better.
Acting: Excellent (Kamal only)
Backround Music: ok
Story, Screenplay: Poor
Hype: Too much
Result: * out of ***** (Very Disappointing)
Total: Nothing Spectacular

For Kamal fans like me, kindly watch Nayagan, Devar Magan, Anbe Sivam or any of his good movies and try to erase the memories of Dasavatharam ASAP.
-- R.Padmanabhan

Give me Tenali any day
I have seen this movie in USA… I am a sincere fan to Kamal… I liked the first half of the movie… It is world class.... But the second half is boring… some characters do not fit in this story at all... No comedy.. No Duets... No Romance... Ravikumar touch is highly missing... Loved Tenali... Watched that movie again and again many times... I was totally disappointed when I came out of the theatre. -- Tamil Movie Fan

Think out of the box to understand Dasavatharam Masterpiece by Kamal. For all those who didn’t like the movie… my only advice is please come out of your world and think OUT of the BOX. Dasavatharam is one of the classics . Right from the 12th century to 21st century the coincidence are beautifully penned and picturised. Kamal just ROCKS in all his characters. Special kudos to the editor and the background score. Everybody had done a neat job right from Napolean, Asin, Maliika Sherawat to the tiny bits. Whoever says the story is missing.. should first understand the chaos theory and should be open to accept the facts. Simple to say watch it for:
1) Kamal
2) Special effects
3) Reason for Tsunami
4) Miracles of God
5) Lastly to understand the coincidence of unsaid truth..

Tamil cinema is been taken to the next era by the entire team of Dasavatharam. Only thing is the audience should be ready to accept the changes.

Just Think BIG ! Appreciate the Talent. -- Sharan

Looking for logic? People who like only logical movies surely will not like this movie. But I loved it! -- Yogeesh

All about Dasavatharam