The one thing the makers can be proud of when it comes to this 4-episode miniseries is that it's solidly made and put together. It offers three perspectives: that of Veerappan's acquaintances (including his wife Muthulakshmi), the special task force that was hot on his trail (but never quite close to nabbing him) for nearly 20 years, and the media folks involved at the time. While this paves the way for a well-rounded approach, some questions are still left hanging. We get to know near-to-nothing about Veerappan's upbringing and what drove him to become a poacher, a smuggler, and eventually a kidnapper/murderer (except for greed and notoriety). The episodes are neatly cut and sorted, with each chapter proving to be decisive in the lives of Veerappan and those that revolve around him.
On the bright side, we get finer details regarding the "Dr. Rajkumar kidnap & release" saga. When you hear one of the victims say he remembers all the details 23 years later, you know how pivotal those days in capture would've been. It also paints a more humanized picture of Veerappan, shedding a fair amount of light on the people he may have inadvertently helped out while he was carrying out his 'revolutionary' antics. The STF's losses, the conflicts between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Veerappan's gradual change of mind when he spends time with his wife and daughter - all of this is given ample time.
There are some incredible visuals on display too, be it of the forest or the subtle reenactment of events. Of all the folks interviewed, the clear standout (by a mile) is Muthulakshmi, whose strong, bold demeanour is evident all through, whether it's how she responds with composure, the way she laughs, or just her sitting posture. Add to that, we get to hear from Veerappan himself through various cassette tapes he shared with people over the years. A few doubts remain about the killing of Veerappan, but that's left as a loose end. Selvamani Selvaraj, the writer-director, is an interesting filmmaker to watch out for. He's making his next with Dulquer Salmaan.
