Koose Munisamy Veerappan vs The Hunt for Veerappan - Veerappan’s tainted legacy through different lens

A look at how both documentaries offer contrasting perspectives of Veerappan’s life

Veerappan's life on OTT

2023 witnessed two documentaries in the OTT space recreating feared bandit Koose Munisamy Veerappan’s legacy on the small screen through contrasting lens. While the critically acclaimed documentary (Koose Munisamy Veerappan) named after the late criminal landed on ZEE5 in December, Netflix’s gripping original titled The Hunt for Veerappan, premiered in August.

Both the web originals offer contrasting perspectives on the life, crimes, and motivations of the notorious forest brigand, weaving a comprehensive tapestry of a man whose name struck fear into the hearts of many during his two-decade-long reign of terror.

Koose Munisamy Veerappan on ZEE5

ZEE5's series Koose Munisamy Veerappan treads a tricky path, documenting the story from Veerappan’s perspective. The web original brings together footage and interviews spanning two decades, decoding the mind behind the man. Beneath his crimes, the show tries to understand the motive behind Veerappan’s decisions, heinous acts, offering an intimate portrayal of the man.

Also read: Koose Munisamy Veerappan – Unseen Veerappan Tapes review: Veerappan is the star of this well-made, balanced docu-series

The Hunt for Veerappan on Netflix

A four-part documentary, The Hunt for Veerappan is a tumultuous ride offering a peek into the life of a multifaceted criminal. Dissecting Veerappan's reign as a bandit, activist, poacher, smuggler, and murderer across four episodes, the show captures the trail of blood he left behind, with casualties among the police force and civilians. It unravels the two-decade manhunt across decades, exploring his rise and fall.

The holistic picture provided by the web originals

The distinct perspectives of the narratives of the shows help us arrive at a complete picture of Veerappan’s complex legacy. The OTT originals raises questions about morality, blurs the lines between good and evil, and attempts to understand the consequence of societal injustice.

While The Hunt for Veerappan dissects the criminal's actions from an external standpoint, The Hunt for Veerappan seeks to understand the internal motivations that led to a life of crime. Going beyond the perception of criminality, the conflicting perceptions offer a nuanced look into hi slife.

If ZEE5's Koose Munisamy Veerappan offers an unprecedented glimpse into the bandit's mind, Netflix's The Hunt for Veerappan provides a comprehensive external view, dissecting the criminal's actions and their impact on society. Both shows prompt viewers to reassess their preconceptions about Veerappan.

Also read: The Hunt For Veerappan review: Engaging documentary is almost a homage to the slain forest brigand

Watch Koose Munisamy Veerappan, Kadak Singh, Scam 2003, Chaaver and more on OTTplay, by subscribing to the Jhakaas monthly pack which provides access to 19 OTTs at just ₹49 for the first month.

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