Raavanan Movie Review Online
Banner: Madras Talkies
Cast: Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Priyamani, Prithviraj, Prabhu, Karthik, Vaiyapuri
Direction: Mani Ratnam
Production: Mani Ratnam
Music: A R Rahman
Raavanan Top Line Story
Cop Prithviraj has just one mission in his life. He wants to capture the local outlaw, veera (Vikram) who may be a Robin Hood for the tribals around, nevertheless, he is a law breaker. More importantly, he has kidnapped the cop's beautiful wife, Ragini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) to avenge a personal grouse and has escaped into the dense jungles. Turn of events: the kidnapper falls in love with his victim who too gets indecisive about where her loyalties
Story on Ramayanam lines
Leave alone the fact Mani was inspired from Ramayanam but here in this, the Raavanan is the hero.
The title role is played by Vikram He is Veera alias Veeraiah. A tribal leader who’s fighting for his groups rights. His charateistics are highlighted on screen during an enquiry scene where the police talks to the tribal to find out what kind of a person this Veera is.
Veera and his elder brother Singam (Prabhu), younger brother Sakkarai (Munna) live in a tribal village somewhere near Thirunelveli. Veera runs his own Government and his followers abide to his words. He is the strength of the tribal. Everyone loves, respectes and fears him and even ready to sacrifice their life for him.
Dev (Prithviraj), on line with God (Ram character) is a special task force Superintendent of Police and is on the hunt of Veera with other cops and a forest guard (Karthik), a new age Hanuman assists him. His goddess like wife Ragini (Aishwarya Rai) the Sita character, is also with him.
In a operation, Veera's sister Vennila (Priyamani in the character of Surpanangai) is raped by the special task force officers.To settle his vengeance with the STF Veera kidnaps Ragini,Polie Chief Devs Wife as his hostage for 14 days.
Ragini is initially feared to see Veera and assusmes he is a brutal beast, but as the days pass she discovers that her ‘God like’ husband is no saint and has dark shades in his character, too. Veera releases her with no demand, On her return Dev asks Ragini to undergo polygraph test to prove her self. What happens next should been seen on the silver screen.
Cast review
Two words to Say on Vikrams Performance simply electric, the star has shown what he is capable off.
The next on line is Prithvi Raj, who’s the dynamic Superintendent of Police. He is oozing with confidence as an actor and his chemistry with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is good enough on screen. He makes it quite obvious as being the Rama in this story.
Aishwarya Rai characterization is simple. But gives one of the strongest performances of her career, A very Few directors have succeeded in making us look beyond her beauty and see the actor in her. She has done that successfully in this film. Most of the credit goes to Mani for getting the best out of her.
The other supporting characters like Karthik as a forest officer, Prabhu as Vikram’s older brother, Munna as Vikram’s younger brother and others are impressively handled characters.
Priya Mani as Vikram’s step sister has done a commendable job. Her character as a bold sister to the strong brother is much appreciable. Her performance will definitely be applauded and as she’s playing the same role in the Hindi version, she has made an excellent start to her Bollywood journey before the upcoming Rakta Charitira.
And Controversial Sex godman Nithayananda fame Actress Ranjitha is also seen on screen, who gets the most whistles on screen
Mani rathnam has made sure all the characters receive the deserved importance. Mani Ratnam is the master unarguably; he has made sure the actors have their presence felt on screen.
Crew Analysis
Technically speaking, Editor Srikar Prasad has sharp scissors. The screenplay in the first half, though nothing has been conveyed and is an utter waste of film reels, his editing is near precision. Stunts and bomb work by Peter Heines and Shyam Kaushal deserve appreciation and so is art director Sameer’s work, given the fact that most of the movie was shot in and around water. The tribal village, the police camp, a bridge and a marriage set were simply amazing and he would be one technician to make note of. The fight on the bridge just before the climax is an edge-of-the-seat scene that has been well shot and well directed.
But there is one man who will be applauded for his work (perhaps the only respite in the movie) is Santosh Sivan and his camera work! Mani’s movies always have natural lighting and Santosh has used it to good effect. Green pastures, water falls, rivers, trees, and all that nature can offer in a forest are radiantly shown. Hats of Santosh, you’ve done a splendid job!
Winding up this section, A R Rahman’s music is classy. His tribal beats merge with the movie’s theme. His rerecording could have been better but nevertheless, a great show! Hard work from cast and crew is evident in the movie, given that the movie was shot under incessant rain, blood sucking leeches etc, but what does it count for?
With So much plus lets move to review the minuses too
Minus
The paper-thin plot in the first half, does get you somewhat restless Also May be because the first half was a major let down and the second half carried a lot to show (or burden) the audience.
The no perfect story in the film you feel the screenplay was a let down with only few scenes showing Mani’s directing supremacy.
The Songs from Rahman had a Hindi Flavour also the scenes lacked Tamil nativity or flavour or realism, what ever you call, it would be better if Mani Ratnam tries for a straight Tamil film next time.
Over All : Raavanan is a treat for quality cinema lovers
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