Starring: Kamal Haasan, Asin, Mallika Sherawat
Director: K. S. Ravikumar
Hindi Dubbed Availability: YouTube, Zee5, DVD (often titled Dasavatharam or Dashavatar)
Q1: Is Dasavatharam available in Hindi on Netflix? A: As of the last update, Netflix India primarily carries the Tamil original. The Hindi dubbed version is more common on Hotstar and YouTube.
Q2: How many roles did Kamal Haasan actually play? A: He played ten distinct physical roles. However, he also voiced a few additional cartoon characters, taking the total to eleven performances.
Q3: Is the Hindi movie inspired by Hollywood’s "The Nutty Professor"? A: No. While both films feature an actor playing multiple roles, Dasavatharam is rooted in Hindu mythology (the ten avatars of Vishnu) and real historical events (the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami).
Q4: Is the Hindi version censored? A: The Hindi version has a U/A certificate. Some violent scenes from the Tamil original (especially the Chola-era execution scenes) were trimmed for Hindi family audiences.
To appreciate the Dasavatharam movie Hindi, one must understand the effort behind the scenes. Kamal Haasan worked with legendary Hollywood prosthetic artist Michael Westmore (famous for Star Trek and Rocky).
Dasavatharam is a flawed spectacle – brilliant in concept and performance, messy in execution. The Hindi dub is watchable for Kamal Haasan’s tour-de-force acting, but try to find a well-synced version. Watch it for the madness, not the logic.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) – One-time watch for curiosity, multiple times for Kamal Haasan.
Title: Dasavatharam (The Ten Incarnations) Language: Original Tamil (Dubbed in Hindi) Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Disaster Starring: Kamal Haasan, Asin, Jaya Prada, Mallika Sherawat Director: K.S. Ravikumar
The USP of the film is Kamal Haasan's portrayal of 10 diverse characters. Each character has a unique look, body language, and dialect, showcasing Haasan's mastery over prosthetics and acting.
The 2008 science fiction action film Dasavatharam (released in Hindi as Dashavtar) is a landmark in Indian cinema, primarily known for Kamal Haasan's historic achievement of portraying ten distinct characters. Directed by K.S. Ravikumar, the film explores a complex narrative blending modern science with historical spirituality. Film Overview Release Date: June 13, 2008. Hindi Title: Dashavtar.
Key Themes: Chaos theory, biotechnology, spiritualism, and environmental consciousness.
Major Achievement: Kamal Haasan's use of distinct body language, dialects, and prosthetic makeup for ten roles was considered "spectacularly breathtaking". Plot Summary Dasavatharam Movie Hindi
The story follows Govind, a research scientist in the United States who discovers a deadly, human-made biological weapon.
The Conflict: After his corrupt boss attempts to sell the bioweapon to a terrorist group, Govind steals the vial to keep it contained.
The Chase: Govind is pursued by Christian Fletcher, an ex-CIA mercenary (also played by Haasan), across India.
The Resolution: The narrative weaves through multiple storylines involving characters across different time periods and locations, eventually culminating during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which serves as a literal "act of God" to neutralize the virus. Production and Technical Details
The Hindi version of Dasavatharam Dashavatar ) is a sci-fi disaster thriller that features Kamal Haasan in a record-breaking 10 distinct roles
. Released in 2008, the film explores the "Butterfly Effect" through a complex narrative connecting a 12th-century priest to a modern-day biological warfare threat. 🎬 Essential Movie Details Original Title: Dasavathaaram (Tamil) Hindi Title: Dashavatar K. S. Ravikumar Lead Actor: Kamal Haasan (10 roles)
Himesh Reshammiya (Songs) and Devi Sri Prasad (Background Score) Box Office: First Tamil film to surpass ₹200 crore worldwide Hindi Success:
While the original was a massive blockbuster, the Hindi dubbed version saw average success 🎭 Kamal Haasan's 10 Avatars
The film's central attraction is Kamal Haasan's transformation into ten vastly different characters using extensive prosthetic makeup: Role / Description Rangarajan Nambi 12th-century Vaishnavite priest. Govindaswamy Modern scientist and the main protagonist. Christian Fletcher American ex-CIA mercenary and primary antagonist. Balram Naidu RAW agent (later inspired the spin-off Sabaash Naidu Avtar Singh Punjabi pop singer suffering from cancer. Shinghen Narahazi Japanese martial arts master. Krishnaveni An elderly woman looking for her son. Vincent Poovaraghan A social activist fighting for environmental causes. Kalifulla Khan A tall, benevolent Muslim man. George W. Bush A caricature of the former U.S. President. 🧬 Plot Summary The story follows
, a bio-technologist in the U.S., who discovers the devastating potential of a synthetic virus intended for biological warfare. When he realizes his superiors plan to sell it, he flees with the vial to prevent a global disaster. The Chase: The chase leads him to India, pursued by Christian Fletcher , a ruthless mercenary. The Connection:
The narrative weaves through multiple storylines involving the other 9 characters, demonstrating how their lives intersect due to a single event. The Resolution: The film culminates in the 2004 Tsunami
, which serves as a natural "cleansing" force to neutralize the virus. Villains Wiki ⭐ Critical Reception & Impact Technical Achievement: Don't Multitask: The screenplay moves very fast
Critics lauded Kamal Haasan's dedication and the groundbreaking use of prosthetics by Michael Westmore.
The film is unique for mixing religion, chaos theory, science, and environmentalism. Hindi Version:
The Hindi audience generally appreciated the scale but found some of the cultural nuances of the Tamil original lost in translation. If you'd like to dive deeper, I can provide: Details on the prosthetic makeup process used for the 10 roles. A breakdown of the soundtrack by Himesh Reshammiya. Information on where to stream the Hindi version currently.
The 2008 epic sci-fi film Dasavathaaram starring Kamal Haasan was released in Hindi under the title Dashavtar. While the original Tamil version was a massive success, the Hindi dubbed version saw a more modest reception in North India, netting approximately ₹1.93 crore. Movie Overview
Starring: Kamal Haasan (in 10 roles), Asin (dual roles), and Mallika Sherawat. Director: K.S. Ravikumar.
Plot: A scientist races to retrieve a deadly bioweapon vial that accidentally reaches India, connecting ten seemingly unrelated characters.
Hindi Title: Released as Dashavtar (also spelled Dashavatar). The 10 Avatars of Kamal Haasan
The film's main draw is Kamal Haasan playing ten distinct characters, each with unique body language and dialects.
The 2008 magnum opus Dasavatharam remains one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema history. Directed by K.S. Ravikumar and starring the legendary Kamal Haasan in ten distinct roles, the film was a landmark achievement in prosthetic makeup, storytelling, and cinematic scale.
While originally filmed in Tamil, the Dasavatharam Movie Hindi version played a crucial role in bringing Kamal Haasan’s visionary storytelling to a pan-Indian audience. The Premise: Chaos Theory and Karma
At its core, Dasavatharam is a science-fiction disaster thriller that weaves together elements of history, religion, and modern science. The plot follows Govind, a research scientist in the US who tries to protect a lethal bio-weapon from falling into the wrong hands.
The story is a masterclass in using Chaos Theory (the Butterfly Effect). A small action in the 12th century—the drowning of a priest—sets off a chain of events that culminates in a massive Tsunami in the 21st century. Kamal Haasan’s Ten Avatars a bio-technologist in the U.S.
The Hindi version allowed North Indian audiences to witness the sheer versatility of Kamal Haasan. The "Ten Avatars" (Dasavatharam) represent different shades of humanity and divinity: Rangaraja Nambi: A 12th-century Vaishnavite priest. Govind Ramaswamy: The protagonist scientist.
Christian Fletcher: The ruthless American mercenary (the primary antagonist).
Balram Naidu: A quirky Telugu RAW officer (a fan favorite for his comic timing).
Avtar Singh: A Punjabi pop singer dealing with a terminal illness. Shinkhen Narahasi: A Japanese martial arts master. Khalifulla Khan: A tall, kind-hearted Muslim man.
Vincent Poovaraghan: A social activist and environmentalist. Krishnaveni: An elderly, forgetful woman.
President George W. Bush: A prosthetic-heavy portrayal of the former US leader. The Impact of the Hindi Dub
The Hindi release of Dasavatharam was significant because it showcased the technical prowess of South Indian cinema long before the "Pan-India" trend became mainstream.
Technical Excellence: The makeup, done by Academy Award-winner Michael Westmore, was revolutionary for the time. Seeing one actor disappear into ten unrecognizable characters was a "first-of-its-kind" experience for Hindi viewers.
Music: The soundtrack, composed by Himesh Reshammiya, featured hits like "Mukundha Mukundha," which became immensely popular in Hindi households.
The Tsunami Sequence: The climax, recreating the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, used CGI that was considered top-tier for the Indian film industry in 2008. Cultural Significance
The film explores the debate between Atheism and Theism. Through Govind’s journey, the movie suggests that whether by "God’s will" or "Science," everything in the universe is interconnected. The Hindi dialogue successfully translated these philosophical nuances, making it accessible to a wider demographic. Why Watch Dasavatharam in Hindi Today?
In an era of CGI-heavy blockbusters, Dasavatharam stands out for its practical effects and the sheer physical effort of its lead actor. It isn't just a movie; it's a showcase of Kamal Haasan’s "Viswaroopam" as a performer.
Whether you are a fan of complex thrillers or simply want to see a piece of Indian cinematic history, the Dasavatharam Hindi version is a must-watch for its scale, ambition, and the timeless performance of "Ulaganayagan."
Before you watch, you must know why Dasavatharam is considered a milestone in Indian cinema: