Theeviravaathi: The Terrorist (1998) Reviews

• Amazing teaching tool

  cliff-192005-09-30

  I just finished teaching a course in northern Thailand called "Understanding Cultures Through Cinema." This movie was the favorite of the class (and I had some great titles in there!). The students were very moved by the movie, and wrote great papers in response. This short line is my favorite example: "I liked (reviewer) because (that reviewer) doesn't say whether a terrorist who wanted to sacrifice her life was right or wrong. When your country is controlled by others, you want to have freedom." And this from a young sophomore who loves romantic comedies! Talk about a breakthrough!!! Culturally, the students tuned in to some important aspects that don't get noticed: Malli sharing meals with Mr. Vasu, the important moral role played by Lotus/Sorya, and the visual irony of the belt. I gave them a study guide question: How would YOU end this movie? The answers were poignant, and of course, they all mentioned the prevailing motif (which I won't mention here because that would be a spoiler, yes?). When I first saw this movie, I gave it 9. After seeing it several times since, and especially seeing the reaction of my Thai students, I gladly raise it to 10. This is one of my top ten movies of all time.

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• Politically involved

  brooz2005-10-26

  First, I will note that this movie is way atypical for an Indian movie: 1h30 long (instead of 2h30); no songs; no glamorous encounters that are Fate's will to unite 2 persons; no super Tamil hero;... This is a movie with hidden political plots. While no places nor important characters are named, one can find out the utmost realistic background of this movie. The terror techniques are those of the LTTE: cyanide capsules for not being taken alive, suicide bombers (LTTE invented the explosive belts. Other terrorist groups then reused it), children warriors. I did not understand that this movie is related to the assassination of Rajiv Ghandi, but after reading such comments, I must agree (the fact that Malli uses a boat to get to her mission location is a clue that it is to happen in India; Tamil Nadu, from the language spoken by the peasants). When I read some commentators comparing this movie to 9/11, I feel they are wrong: the LTTE terrorism is not about a godly will, but about "freeing" Tamil people living in Sri Lanka. Other commentators asked why there are some black screens when Malli is thinking hard. Here is my answer: It is related to Vasu's comments about the seed that need to go into the darkness of the earth to evolve from tiny seed to a big tree. It is a rebirth of Malli. This fact is also shown with Malli sleeping more and more in foetal position as the assassination day approaches. To be understood fully, this movie requires some background about LTTE, Sri Lanka, Cinghalese VS Tamil situation... While this movie is not in my top ten, it remains a good one. Santosh Sivan proves here courage with a politically engaged movie that is surely unpleasant to (some? many?) Tamil people. Even in the title of the movie being "The terrorist" (instead of something like "the Martyr", "the Hero" and so forth...)

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• Thinking Bomb

  lou-502000-05-16

  "The Terrorist" is a non-violent film about violence and the subtlety of its camera work and overall direction might remind you of a travelogue rather than a searing drama about political fanaticism. The film takes place in India and yet we don't have any information on what the conflict is nor do we see the rebel leader whose hand controls all the subversion. That really isn't important but what is important is studying the assassin, Malli, who has so many close-ups that it border on obsession as the filmmakers try to reveal the conflicts she has to resolve in her mind, from her eyes blinking at the drops of rain to her face to face encounter with her lover soldier to her final makeup before meeting her destiny. Three men reveal themselves to Malli at pivotal points and the film underscores it with a technique of keeping the background unfocused until it is called for - the lover soldier who sees Malli as an obscured vision, the boy Lotus who stands too late to see his fate, and the VIP as he is greeted by the young women. Never are explosions seen nor direct killings exposed, we only hear gun shots or the splatter of blood on the murderer's face or the bloodied machete. The film seems to tip its hand by introducing the likeable 'Mad Vasu' and his comatose wife with her outstretched hand of comfort but, in truth, we had no way of anticipating the ending. You might want to compare "The Terrorist" to "Day of the Jackal" or even "La Femme Nikita" but such comparisons would be unfair. "The Terrorist" is a much better film because it allows the audience to unravel the mind of an assassin, in isolation, without the prejudice of killed bodies or self-serving violence. "The Terrorist" is a powerful adventure into the lonely paths of the human soul.

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• brilliant ...

  m_madhu2001-11-04

  the terrorist is one of the best movies ever to come out of india. the movie is totally unlike the normal indian bollywood movie. part-inspired by the events surrounding the assassination of late prime-minister rajiv gandhi, terrorist takes a look into the minds of an assassin. the movie moves at a steady pace giving us time to understand the protagonist and sympathise with her. this bond is accentuated by ayesha dharkar's terrific acting, she clearly is a unique talent and hopefully the whole world will get to appreciate her in star wars II. santosh sivan who is essentially a cinematographer takes to directing and comes up with a gripping tale. the movie shines with his brilliant work behind the camera as well, capturing every beautiful raindrop & the subtleties in dharkar's expressions. the movie stands out as special, intelligent & warm, among its peers. a truly significant movie a fantastic 10!!

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• A story well narrated

  sudhirkishan2004-08-21

  The movie is about a girl who is sent on a mission to assassinate a VIP by becoming a human bomb. It can be related to the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India. A notable fact is that no where in the movie is there a mention about the roots of the girl nor who the VIP is. It rather narrates the incidents that occur from the time she is chosen on this mission. The movie has wonderful cinematography by Santosh Sivan and good performances by all the artists. All the artists were very natural making the movie more realistic. The unconventional ending has done justice to the narration.

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