Karthik Bala

KURUTHIPUNAL (1995) – MOVIE POSTMORTEM My Verdict: ORCHID GARLAND Is Kaakha Kaakha the greatest Tamil cop movie ever made? It's an excellent film, but I have a stronger contender: Kamal Haasan's KURUTHIPUNAL. Directed by the legendary cinematographer P.C. Sreeram and written by Kamal Haasan, this 1995 thriller is an absolute masterclass in filmmaking. Kamal Haasan plays Adhi Narayanan IPS, alongside Arjun as Abbas IPS. Together, they take on a dangerous terrorist organisation led by the terrifying Badri, played brilliantly by Nassar. What makes this film exceptional? The screenplay doesn't depend on larger-than-life heroism. It relies on intelligence, strategy, psychological warfare and unpredictable situations. The opening school bus bombing, the train station shootout, the undercover operation and the nerve-wracking climax are outstanding. Kamal delivers a terrific performance, Arjun is remarkably convincing, and Nassar is genuinely frightening. The supporting performances by Gautami, Geetha and K. Viswanath add further strength. The most fascinating aspect is how the film explores the conflict between professional duty, personal relationships and the moral compromises involved in fighting terrorism. Some fascinating facts: - It was adapted from Govind Nihalani's Hindi film Drohkaal (1994). - The Tamil version was shot simultaneously with its Telugu counterpart, Drohi. - It was the first Indian film to use Dolby Stereo Surround SR technology. - The film had no conventional songs. - Chiyaan Vikram dubbed for John Edathattil's character. - Foreign makeup artists were brought to Chennai for Kamal's battered appearance in the final interrogation scenes. - It became India's official entry for the 68th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category, although it wasn't nominated. Kamal also won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor, while the film received the Cinema Express Award for Best Film. FINAL VERDICT: ORCHID GARLAND. Kaakha Kaakha gave us Suriya's unforgettable Anbuselvan, but Kuruthipunal gave us a gripping, intelligent and technically groundbreaking police thriller. For me, Kuruthipunal is the superior film and one of the greatest cop thrillers Indian cinema has ever produced. Kamal Haasan and P.C. Sreeram created something truly timeless.

MOHANLAL IS A MASTER OF NATURAL ACTING. BUT KAMAL HAASAN PLAYS A DIFFERENT GAME! Both are extraordinary actors, but their strengths are very different. Mohanlal is arguably one of the finest natural performers Indian cinema has ever produced. His expressions, effortless body language and ability to convey emotions without overacting are exceptional. Look at his performances in Kireedam, Bharatham, Vanaprastham, Thanmathra and Drishyam. Pure brilliance! But Kamal Haasan takes experimentation to another level. He doesn't just play different characters; he completely transforms himself. A dwarf in Apoorva Sagodharargal. Four characters in Michael Madana Kama Rajan. A woman in Chachi 420. An ageing freedom fighter in Indian. TEN different characters in Dasavathaaram! And it's not just about physical transformations. His willingness to experiment with unconventional stories, filmmaking techniques and challenging subjects makes his filmography extraordinary. Mohanlal makes you believe the character is real. Kamal makes you wonder how one actor can do so many things. For me, Mohanlal is a phenomenal actor, but Kamal Haasan is the complete cinematic package. My vote goes to Kamal Haasan.