Known for his crime based films, biopics and horror films, Ram Gopal Verma (RGV) has always offered variety through all his films, over the years. While some of his films did very good business at the box office, others did average business. Few of his films were total flops. But, that did not deter him from attempting new subjects. His latest film ‘Veerappan’ is biographical film written and directed by himself ,which is based on the life of Indian bandit Veerappan, and the events leading to ‘Operation Cocoon’ to capture and kill him . 
The film begins by showing the terror of Verappan( Sandeep Bharadwaj) on the borders of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu , giving a slip to the police force of both the states. The film shows how the atrocities of Police on villagers, to get the information about Veerapaan helped the criminal to receive sympathy from them, whom he paid money. The actual plot of the film begins when police capture Muthulakshmi( Usha Jadhav) Veerappan’s wife, to extract information about him.
The Police seek help from Priya( Lisa Ray) , a widow of a ex Police officer killed brutally by Veerapaan. She plays a spy and poses as a woman living alone in the border village, whose husband is abroad on work assignment. She offers shelter to Muthulakshmi, who is in search of a house to live as a PG. Their first attempt fails as Veerappan warns his wife to shift her residence, doubting Priya as Police informer. But, Priya imposes so much of trust in Lakshmi that she starts believing in her. How the police plan Operation Cocoon to trap and kill Veerappan, is an interesting climax, of this film.
Though filled with violence, ‘Ram Gopal Verma has taken the cinematic liberties to be more realistic in his approach to shoot some of the important events in the life of Veerappan. The film does make a comment that it’s because of the media hype given to the criminal, only helped him to establish his strength. The film has also shown, how Veerpppan was inspired by the power of LTTE leader Prabhakaran and how the Police took advantage of the same, by gathering information about the same to trap him.
Among the main artistes of the film , Sandeep Bharadwaj, Sachin Joshi and Usha Jadhav are too good through their realistic performance. Good support comes from Lisa ray and other artistes who have played Police officers. Background music of the film is simply superb and so is the wonderful cinematography by Aniket Khandagale. He has captured all those difficult action scenes through his aerial photography , very skillfully. The selection of locations are also good. Through this film, some of the unknown facts have also come to light, if we have to believe the research team of Ram Gopal Verma. All in all, violence filled ‘Veerappan’ is a reality presented by Ram Gopal Verma, barring few errors noticed in the screenplay.
(Rating ***)