The movie starts off slow trying to establish the characters, but it gains momentum after the temple loot scene, and from that point onward, there's no looking back. Kamal Haasan showcases a visionary edge, not only in his choice of subject matter and its execution but also in his remarkable transformation into the character of Gunaa. Together with Ilayaraja, the two magicians elevated this movie to a different plane. Particularly noteworthy is the moment when Kamal's character starts seeing the avatar of the goddess in the heroine – Ilayaraja's background score is divine, unique, and it perfectly captures the emotion of the scene, allowing the audience to feel what the Gunaa character feels and believes. This collaboration is a true masterpiece of art, and it's challenging to comprehend how such artistic brilliance can be taught in a school unless the individuals are truly gifted.
As an ardent fan of Ilayaraja, I could easily sense the time period in which this movie was made without checking Wiki. The musical patterns and styles employed in the score reflect Raja's creativity during that era. There are glimpses of his work in "Aboorva Sagotharargal" and "Michael Madana Kamarajan (MMKR)" in Gunaa's background scores, especially noticeable in the car chase scene following the temple looting. I was surprised to discover that the exact same music score was used in "Aboorva Sagotharargal" during those scenes (perhaps due to time constraints – feel free to verify by listening from 48:20 minutes of the full movie on YouTube). Additionally, the musical theme used when Gunaa kidnaps Abhirami and drives her to Kodaikanal is reminiscent of the score later used in the movie "Aatma" (1993) for the song "Velakku Veppom."
While the stunts were well-executed, a discernible pattern can be observed from Kamal's earlier movies in that era, reminiscent of similar stunt sequences in "MMKR" (possibly both choreographed by Vikram Dharma), where a person is struck by Kamal with any available prop, such as a plate,boulder or a tree branch.
Despite its technical brilliance, "Gunaa" lacked many commercial elements to satisfy the broader audience of its time. But Kamal Haasan's unwavering commitment to the script and his determination to uphold his artistic vision, despite being pitted against the mass entertainer "Dalapathi" during its release, is truly commendable. In essence, "Gunaa" remains a cinematic gem, leaving a lasting impression that withstands the test of time.
