The Ramayana is easily the oldest and the best instance of the battle of good v/s evil. Adapting the epic into modern times is of course a daunting task. One error and the entire work would fall like a pack of cards. Unfortunately, that's what happens with the film Raavan. The makers did a huge mistake and that is, they tampered with the original concept. In Raavan, Rama isn't good and Raavan isn't bad...both have shades of grey. Fair enough since this is 'modern Ramayana'. However, Raavan is more like Rama and vice versa in the film! Moreover, the flawed script and the disappointing climax make things worse. Raavan works but only in parts!

The story of the movie: Dev (Vikram), a tough cop, shifts to Lal Maati town with his wife Ragini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) after he's given charge there. The town is not under the control of the police but of the outlaw Beera (Abhishek Bachchan). Beera maybe the demonic force to reckon with for the police but for the locals, he's God. Dev is adamant to wipe out Beera and gives a huge blow to him which shakes him. An angry Beera then seeks revenge by kidnapping Ragini. Thus begins the journey of Dev into the jungles of Lal Maati as he hunts for his wife and the kidnapper. Helping him in his mission is Laxman Pratap (Nikhil Dwivedi) and the eccentric forest guard Sanjeevani (Govinda). Will they succeed? And how come Dev hurt Beera so much that he kidnapped his wife? Watch Raavan to find out.

Raavan begins very unconventionally, making us expect fireworks in the next 2.15 hours. Then the scene where Beera kidnaps Ragini was just out of this world! I haven't seen anything like this before in Bollywood! But after a point, the storyline doesn't move ahead at all. The film wanders too much in unwanted quarters. Hence it's not a completely absorbing flick. However, things bright up at the intermission point when Laxman is kidnapped by Beera's men.

The 2nd half begins with a bang and the highpoint is definitely the entire Jamuniya (Priyamani) track, told in flashback. This reminds me...there are lots of flashback portions in the film especially in the first hour which does a bit in keeping the interest alive. Getting back, the entire Jamuniya sequence was very impactful and from here, you begin to see Beera in a new light. Then the dramatic fight of Dev and Beera on the wooden bridge was again exemplary. A scene like this is rare in our cinema. But the film slips down completely after this point. The climax was well shot but didn't seem justified at all. Same with Ragini's actions in the ending. The makers not only gave a wrong interpretation of the tribals and tribal activists, they ended messing up the whole film as well!

Several questions remain unanswered. Why did Beera wanted to kill Ragini only after 14 hours and not before? Also, the film is shown to have a North India setting. It is difficult to believe that considering they show wild jungles, fierce waterfalls and over-the-cloud mountain tops...all of which found in Maharashtra and in the South but definitely not in the North!

This wasn't the best from Abhishek Bachchan but at the same time, he doesn't disappoint as well. He was acting too weird in the beginning portions but then balanced off in the later scenes. However, the director should have made his role more villain-like which he didn't. He didn't seem fearful. This is the director's fault and hence he's to blame and not Abhishek. He followed the director's orders perfectly which is evident. Raavan would flop but this won't be a problem for Abhishek as he can cover up in his next half a dozen films that are soon going to hit theatres!

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan looked stunning even in scenes in which she was bruised! Performance wise, she was excellent and it was a treat to see her after such a long time! Vikram played his part perfectly as the tough cop. Govinda's entry scene was awesome and he does a great job! However, it was sad to see that he got disappeared after a point in the 2nd half. Same with Nikhil Dwivedi! Watch out for him when he's being tonsured...what acting! He surely deserves to be seen more! Ravi Kishan was perfect for his part. Priyamani gives an amazing performance, although she had a very short role. But still, it will help open doors of Bollywood for her. Ajay Gehi was sidelined completely in the beginning portions and was brought to the forefront only when required. Not good! The one who played Priyamani's fiance was great. Others played their part well.

A R Rahman's music was marvelous and surely one of his best works. All songs are excellent and are well picturised too. However, Ranjha Ranjha is very pathetically used and placed in the film. This beautiful song deserved to be used in a better way! Behne De, Kata Kata and Khili Re were well shot while Thok De Killi was unwanted but its visuals were great.

Raavan was a very difficult film to shoot and capture. Cinematographers Santosh Sivan and V Manikandan deserve full marks for their outstanding work. The visuals are breath taking and in fact, one of the reasons why the interest doesn't get lost is because of their camerawork. Hats off to production designer Samir Chanda, especially for the bridge fighting scene (he had to build 3 bridges for different shots)! Sham Kaushal and Peter Hein's action scenes were a visual delight! Vijay Krishna Acharya's dialogues seemed convincing and weren't over the top.

Lastly, Mani Ratnam fails this time! He came up with an improper storyline and even the script, at places, didn't work. His direction also suffered as a result although some scenes are smartly and creatively treated. Let's hope he bounces back with his next flick!

Some of the best scenes of the film:
1. Beera kidnaps Ragini
2. The song Behne De, Kata Kata and Khili Re
3. Ragini is photographed with Beera's men
4. All scenes of Sanjeevani (Govinda)
5. The intermission point
6. Jamuniya's flashback
7. Hariya (Ajay Gehi) goes to talk to Dev
8. The fight on the bridge

On the whole, Raavan, unfortunately, is disappointing. Although it boasts of stunning cinematography, melodious music and fine performances, it just doesn't work because of its plot and script. The film is sure to suffer a huge loss. Very unfortunate!


Tags: movie review, raavan, admanya, fenil seta

Comments (10) Login to post your comment

 

Admanya Blog | User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Help | Contact Us

© All Rights Reserved - Admanya.com

About this Blogger

I am 19 yr old from Mumbai and very huge movie buff. Enjoy travelling and net surfing too!