especially sujatha's dialogues was very poignant in fact this was his first venture in dialogues and the film script was also written in form of a novel in a tamil weekly. In the novel's prologue sujatha has given credit to kamalhassan ( producer, actor and co writer) for his inputs.I think this is the only one novel which was done for film and later came as a novel normally it will be the viceversa. Vikram was the first important film from south India in terms of science fiction rather than magical. After this film kamal and sujatha joined and worked for many other films like Indian, marudhanayagan etc... and sujatha was a active member in kamal's discussion team and ironically kamal's speech about sujatha after death quoted that "one cannot judge sujatha's creative skills by seeing his work in films "
9 Reviews
Sci-fi gone astray
sanjayppc17 September 2014
Vikram was one of the ambitious film projects of kamal, who collaborated with writer Sujatha. This was the last film in which Satyaraj acted as villain.
He had started acting as hero then & was reluctant. But kamal insisted that he act as the villain with the assurance that he would later produce a film with him as hero. That film was "Kadamai Kanniyam kattupadu".
Vikram had a good cast, lovely locales, melodious songs, gorgeous heroines & a smart & handsome kamal as a cop, yet it failed at the box office.
The reason was that that the usual masala elements were missing. Also, after a riveting first half, the film went haywire in the 2nd half when the story moved to Salamia (imaginary country). Janakaraj's antics were annoying & also the pace of the film slackened a bit.
The trailer was in the theatres for a few months before its release raising great expectations, specially amongst kamal fans.
Over the years, it has gone on to become a classic & shown repeatedly on TV.
He had started acting as hero then & was reluctant. But kamal insisted that he act as the villain with the assurance that he would later produce a film with him as hero. That film was "Kadamai Kanniyam kattupadu".
Vikram had a good cast, lovely locales, melodious songs, gorgeous heroines & a smart & handsome kamal as a cop, yet it failed at the box office.
The reason was that that the usual masala elements were missing. Also, after a riveting first half, the film went haywire in the 2nd half when the story moved to Salamia (imaginary country). Janakaraj's antics were annoying & also the pace of the film slackened a bit.
The trailer was in the theatres for a few months before its release raising great expectations, specially amongst kamal fans.
Over the years, it has gone on to become a classic & shown repeatedly on TV.
Vikraaaaaaam !.....
vibhus-177801 June 2022
Vikram was one of the most ambitious project on 1980s . Kamal and Sujatha's collaboration tried to deliver a good Sci-Fi action thriller at that time . Making style was good . First half was intresting , but Second half was bit struggling to take story forward . Kamal gave a marvelous performance . Sathyaraj as antagonist gave a show stealing performance , his characterisation and mannerism was impressive . I really liked the way the designed the fictional Country Salamia . Songs were just mind blowing , especially Vikram title song , even it's visuals were stunning . Ilaiyaraaja ayya 🛐 . We should really appreciate cinematography , especially some of the action sequence were well captured . Overall eventhough it's old movie and underwhelming 2nd half , it never fails to entertain and impress .
Vikraaaaaaam !......
Vikraaaaaaam !......
Fantastic Film with great Quality ! ! !
rajesh-scorpi8 July 2006
This movie is one of my all time favorites in Tamil Films ! ! Saw this movie way back in '86 during my schooldays and since then, have seen it nearly 15- 16 times till now.. Even a month before (on Jun 1, 2006), me and my friend went to this film when it was screened in a theatre (Manis) near Hope College, Coimbatore..
The beauty with this film is it's quality. U can't imagine to have this factor in tamil films taken during the '80s (Except, of course in Kamal movies at that time). This movie has excellently been filmed . Add to that four beautiful song numbers and fantastic fight sequences. U'll get Vikram ! ! !
Kamal has written this movie along with Sujatha. Sujatha's stories always have that fantasy factor hided within . They both combine together to give this superb exhibition of adventure.
Also, the songs are just great to hear (and watch ). The title song "Vikram" reminds one about the title sequences in Bond movies. This song provides a nice intro to what lies in store in the movie . . Also, 'vanithamani', 'En jodi manjackuruvi' and 'Meendum vaa' are beautifully taken..
One has to appreciate Late. Mr.Rajasekar for directing such a movie. He is the apt director for such a film. Has some great films behind his name (Padikkadhavan, Maaveeran etc..). He has successfully handled movie greats like kamal, Amjad khan and Dimple..
Also, I can't forget the villain 'SugirdhaRaja' played by the Comic Sathyaraj. He always has provided superb support to kamal as villain in most of his films at that period (like Sattam en kaiyil, Jappanil kalyanaraman, Kaaki sattai etc.. to name a few).. Here too , he has handled the character effectively, and at times, has scored more than Kamal himself..
Totally, this is a great treat to watch and remains as a blockbuster and a trend setter ! ! ! (My only regret with this film is that a sequel has not been taken till date) ! ! !
The beauty with this film is it's quality. U can't imagine to have this factor in tamil films taken during the '80s (Except, of course in Kamal movies at that time). This movie has excellently been filmed . Add to that four beautiful song numbers and fantastic fight sequences. U'll get Vikram ! ! !
Kamal has written this movie along with Sujatha. Sujatha's stories always have that fantasy factor hided within . They both combine together to give this superb exhibition of adventure.
Also, the songs are just great to hear (and watch ). The title song "Vikram" reminds one about the title sequences in Bond movies. This song provides a nice intro to what lies in store in the movie . . Also, 'vanithamani', 'En jodi manjackuruvi' and 'Meendum vaa' are beautifully taken..
One has to appreciate Late. Mr.Rajasekar for directing such a movie. He is the apt director for such a film. Has some great films behind his name (Padikkadhavan, Maaveeran etc..). He has successfully handled movie greats like kamal, Amjad khan and Dimple..
Also, I can't forget the villain 'SugirdhaRaja' played by the Comic Sathyaraj. He always has provided superb support to kamal as villain in most of his films at that period (like Sattam en kaiyil, Jappanil kalyanaraman, Kaaki sattai etc.. to name a few).. Here too , he has handled the character effectively, and at times, has scored more than Kamal himself..
Totally, this is a great treat to watch and remains as a blockbuster and a trend setter ! ! ! (My only regret with this film is that a sequel has not been taken till date) ! ! !
Nice Movie, Well ahead of its time
meetvikramu11 February 2013
This was a typical Kamal Haasan Movie, that will get less appreciation when it is released but will get more applause later on. Kamal haasan has carried the movie on his shoulders and he has sung the title song too.
A Sci-fi movie with missiles, different languages, camels and deserts and head shots. Songs are composed by Ilayaraja and are very soothing and are of different genres. Locations and dialogues are crisp and clean and gives you a good suspense movie feel.
Lissy and Dimple kapadia sizzles in this movie and there are a couple of Lip-locks too.
A Sci-fi movie with missiles, different languages, camels and deserts and head shots. Songs are composed by Ilayaraja and are very soothing and are of different genres. Locations and dialogues are crisp and clean and gives you a good suspense movie feel.
Lissy and Dimple kapadia sizzles in this movie and there are a couple of Lip-locks too.
Welcome to Salamia!
you_can_do_it20 July 2006
I agree with you. Vikram is a really enjoyable movie. A big budget extravaganza which borrows heavily from many Bond movies. Kamal Hassan plays an undercover cop, assigned to track down an international smuggler who hijacked a nuclear missile. After his wife gets shot by a sniper, he swears revenge on her killers and this leads him to an imaginary country, Salamia. Salamia is shown as a kingdom ruled by Amjad Khan. He is a typical emperor wearing robes and jewels and has an army of his own. His beautiful daughter, played by the gorgeous Dimple Kapadia, falls in love with Kamal. The song pictured on Kamal and Dimple, 'Meendum Meendum Va', is one of the most melodious of Ilayaraja. Throughout the movie, the locales are exotic and well pictured.
Upon release, Vikram was panned by critics. It was termed one of Kamal's bad movies. But financially, Vikram was a success and had a good run throughout. The songs became classics and even the baddie Sathyaraj became a sought-after hero, after Vikram. The stunt director Dharma was affixed the title 'Vikram' and came to be known as 'Vikram' Dharma.
Upon release, Vikram was panned by critics. It was termed one of Kamal's bad movies. But financially, Vikram was a success and had a good run throughout. The songs became classics and even the baddie Sathyaraj became a sought-after hero, after Vikram. The stunt director Dharma was affixed the title 'Vikram' and came to be known as 'Vikram' Dharma.
Entertaining spy thriller
vjnambu24 June 2022
Today in Indian cinema, where several filmmakers struggle to make a decent spy thriller, kamal hassan made a very good spy thriller back in 1986(pre Timothy Dalton era) like james bond.
Vikram is a fun and entertaining spy adventure movie without any dull moments. Ilaiyaraja's music was perfect. It very well captures the essence of james bond films. Technically or writing wise, it has not aged well but if you see it without the eyes of a modern audience and back as an 80s film, you will enjoy it.
Vikram is a fun and entertaining spy adventure movie without any dull moments. Ilaiyaraja's music was perfect. It very well captures the essence of james bond films. Technically or writing wise, it has not aged well but if you see it without the eyes of a modern audience and back as an 80s film, you will enjoy it.
Over the top and ambitious
Jithindurden30 May 2022
A cheesy masala version of James Bond with a touch of Indiana Jones. The film also made sure to copy all the bad aspects of those films with the good. The ridiculousness of the whole movie is hilarious so it won't be boring. And for the Tamil industry of that time, this was such a massive production that props should be given to Kamal Haasan to pull it off like this, even though it's aged poorly.
Satyaraj's megalomaniac villain role is definitely the most entertaining part of the movie. Even though I have seen a lot of Malayalam movies of Lissy, it's the first time I'm watching her where she has so much to do in a film and now feel like she was very underutilized by both the industries.
It's the first time I'm watching a young Dimple Kapadia and I didn't know how hot she was. She was mesmerizing and to think, I only thought of her as the conservative mother role she's been doing in the recent years!
Kamal Haasan said in a recent interview that he had an idea which was deemed too much for this movie, which is adapted into the new Vikram movie. I can't imagine anything more over the top than what is already in this movie.
It's also a bit uncanny how much of this movie mirrors the iconic aspects of Assassins Creed stealth,
Satyaraj's megalomaniac villain role is definitely the most entertaining part of the movie. Even though I have seen a lot of Malayalam movies of Lissy, it's the first time I'm watching her where she has so much to do in a film and now feel like she was very underutilized by both the industries.
It's the first time I'm watching a young Dimple Kapadia and I didn't know how hot she was. She was mesmerizing and to think, I only thought of her as the conservative mother role she's been doing in the recent years!
Kamal Haasan said in a recent interview that he had an idea which was deemed too much for this movie, which is adapted into the new Vikram movie. I can't imagine anything more over the top than what is already in this movie.
It's also a bit uncanny how much of this movie mirrors the iconic aspects of Assassins Creed stealth,
Sci-Fi in 1980's
servophbabu22 November 2011
Yes we should say this is a Sci-Fi movie of that time (80's).
ICBM is a dream for India on that time, the Computers with Tamil text was nearly impossible. Science fiction does speaks the "not so far future" too.
The way the movie goes, the opening RPG shot, Sathyaraj's intro, Sujatha's dialogs, the comedy scene's at Salamia are well taken. The innocent politician.
We well know that the scene's are from different H/W movies, but the way Kamal presented the movie for Tamil audience is nice. Every one in the movie did there role perfectly.
This is the Second Sci-fi after M.G.R's Kalaiarasi.
9/10- because for non originality.
ICBM is a dream for India on that time, the Computers with Tamil text was nearly impossible. Science fiction does speaks the "not so far future" too.
The way the movie goes, the opening RPG shot, Sathyaraj's intro, Sujatha's dialogs, the comedy scene's at Salamia are well taken. The innocent politician.
We well know that the scene's are from different H/W movies, but the way Kamal presented the movie for Tamil audience is nice. Every one in the movie did there role perfectly.
This is the Second Sci-fi after M.G.R's Kalaiarasi.
9/10- because for non originality.
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