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Kovilpatti Veeralakshmi

Director: K. Rajeshwar
Cast: Simran, Sonu, Alex, Nambirajan, Vilasini, Sanjay, Rajkumar

The scene opens at Kovilpatti, a tiny village, where the dalits are at the receiving end of police brutality and sexual harassment. Veeralakshmi's friend Chelli, taken in for questioning, is brutally gang-raped by the cops. Veeralakshmi is a helpless witness to it, but it sows in her the first seeds of rebellion.

Cut to Thottapatti. Das, brother of Chelli, a suspect in a bomb-blast case, chained and inhumanly tortured by the police, breaks free, takes on the cops, and flees to Kovilpatti.

Back to Veeralakshmi. A lecherous cop makes advances, and the woman in a spontaneous gesture of defense, grabs the sickle, and lashes out at the cop, the latter reeling away in pain and agony. Veeralakshmi flees from the place, changing her hide-outs, escaping the hawk-eyes of the cops and the informers. The outlaw finally takes to the woods, accompanied by Chelliah her father, Dharma her brother, Das and Chelli. Violence becomes a way of life. Guns and grenades are her weapons, though the sickle remains her favourite one! There's the love-life too, where she marries the faithful, supportive Das and bears a child. The agony when the cops discover her, the encounter killing her brother and her little son, the surrender and the betrayal. And the final reckoning.

'Kovilpatti Veeralakshmi' is a milestone in Simran's career. The actress has touched the pinnacle of her performance, carrying almost the entire film on her slender shoulders. Shorn of glamour, and a dark make-up to boot, Simran has brought out splendidly, the metamorphosis of the character from a helpless dalit woman to the dreaded outlaw and spokesperson of her caste. Kudos to Rajeshwar for reposing confidence in her. Credits to the dubbing artiste too (Deepa Venkat).

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this is going to be a huge hi..... - vivek, hyderabad, 9/7/2003

Chennai Online reviews have be..... - Rajan, Jakarta, 7/22/2003

Sonu (former 'Graviera Mr. India', and the title role in one of the 'Bhagat Singh' sagas) playing Das, fits in well with the nativity of the character, Das in his hands emerging as a lovable, gutsy, sensitive character, a perfect foil to Veeralakshmi.

The supporting characters have come out well. For Alex, it's a memorable role as Chellaiya. Vilasini as Chelli, and Nambiraj as the brutal inspector pitch in their bit.

The scenes are stark and realistic, with the expected violence and gore. There is no lag in the narration, even as one empathises with the plight of Veeralakshmi and her gang, and follows them through their tortuous journey, to the fatal end. The script is well-etched, the dialogue realistic, the narration focused. There are the softer moments, like Veeralakshmi, when fleeing from the police, stops to help out a woman in labour, catches some romantic moments with lover Das. Though we admire the sheer guts and tenacity of the woman, Rajeshwar fortunately, makes no attempt to glamourise her as a 'Bandit Queen', but as a simple woman fighting for her existence, and that of her caste people.

Finally, Rajeshwar's earlier film 'Seevalaperipandi' which was in the same genre, had Napoleon in his career-best role and performance. 'Kovilpatti Veeralakshmi' puts to rest any doubts the sceptics may have had as to whether Simran the sensuous screen-sizzer would 'look' the role. And more important, whether she can carry a totally non-glamorous, emotion and action-packed role through sheer performance.