Raavanan (2010)

Raavanan, is it really an open ended movie? Let's discuss! Prerequisite: Should have watched the movie Raavanan. As Mani (The Director) puts it, this is a story between the hunted (Ragini), the hunter (Veera), and the haVED (Dev). The movie clearly shows that in the eyes of Ragini, the opinion about Veera is a continuum, moving towards positive shade. But what is the limit of this continuum? Is it mere affection towards Veera or something more? How does Dev's portrayal travels in Ragini's perspective? Does Dev carry "the lovable husband" tag always until the train/trick scene? Although Dev has a negative shade* even before that, we need not assume that Ragini be aware of it, as she was purposely (read cleverly) avoided in/about those instances. So, to answer the key questions above here is an interpretation of the climax where Ragini waits for and meets Veera. In this scene, Ragini's intent to meet Veera is to clarify/question what Veera said to Dev and why. Veera gives his version of the bridge fight. In the fight, Veera has an upper hand and could have killed Dev, comfortably. He knows that Dev could come back and get him later. But for Ragini's sake he saves Dev. Valuing Ragini more than his life. On the other hand, Dev has been depicted in getting Veera through any means, including by tricking Ragini. Among these characteristics, obviously Veera is expected to stand out in Ragini's heart. That is the moment of love, the one curbed by Ragini for Veera until, which is emphatically expressed by her in Veera's words, "Buck Buck Buck Buck, Buck Buck!." So, here is where Mani shows that the pendulum (Ragini's dilemma) swing towards Veera. Eventually Veera gets killed, in spite of Ragini's effort to save him. To put this love in poetic words, when Vee"RA"ends, "RA"gini begins. So, the limit of the continuum is the opening up of the flood gates of love by Ragini towards Veera through "Buck Buck Buck Buck, Buck Buck!". Moreover, Veera's plead for Ragini's love is uttered through the song/words "Usuray Pogudhey" initially. In the end, Veera understands/complements Ragini's "Buck Buck …" by saying, "Usur Vandhurichu". Yes, the limit of the continuum is "LOVE"! This movie is definitely worth your "Buck Buck Buck Buck, Buck Buck!"***** Scenes depicting negative shades of Dev: 1. Sakkarai, the mediator gets killed by Dev. 2. Vennila's husband when pleading for life (hand)in excruciating pain, being tortured by Dev, than being offered help. 3. Dev's continued association with Hemanth, although the latter is responsible for Vennila's rape.Some Nu(is)ance allusions to Ramayana? 1. Raptor in Ragin's boat:Garudan? 2. Bridge, Ram-Sethu bridge? Dev/Ram-Sethu/Vikram/Veera bridge? *END*

We know Mani Rathnam can handle epics quite easily and can twist it quite interestingly. Dalapathy starring Rajnikanth and Mamootty is the finest example. That is what I expected when I went to watch Raavanan. But watching the movie, I realized the story was never the center of attraction neither the direction of the maestro. What moved the movie along was the cinematography. Santosh Sivan and Manikandan have so effectively captured the beauty of the southern forests in the most mesmerizing manner.Coming back to the story, we find nothing new added to the epic except for the fact that the good has now turned evil and vice-versa. At the end of the movie, after witnessing the glorious work of the cinematographer, especially the climax scenes, we sense something missing altogether and the truth beckons on us that there is no credible storyline to the whole affair.SP Dev (Prithviraj) is on the look out for Veera (Vikram), a notorious tribal lord, a Robin Hood for many. He rules with his own laws and methods and this angers the police but are unable to do anything to capture him. To assist him there is Singarasu (Prabhu) and Chakkarai (Munna), his brothers. But soon something happens (revealed only in the second half) that makes Veera so revengeful that he kidnaps Dev's wife, Ragini (Aishwarya Rai). The rest of the story revolves around the Dev trying to rescue his wife with the help of Gnanapraksham (Karthick), a forest guard. The story moves on when the monstrous Veera starts a liking for Ragini.There was a time when I watched Nayakan, Iruvar, Roja, Dalapathy all with great enthusiasm and what I received from these movies were really great satisfaction as a movie buff. But watching this film with the same enthusiasm I felt robbed off all my money I wasted on the tickets. This is not a bad film but it is clearly not what I expected from a Mani Rathnam film. His direction has not proved anything with this movie. The old Mani Rathnam had style and substance in his direction but now what remains is just the style. Style alone cannot pace a thriller forward. The new Mani Rathnam has not provided anything interesting in this movie. It seems like the crux of the whole movie lies on the camera work.The acting of Vikram and Aishwarya Rai has to be applauded. They have given one of their finest performances. Vikram is like a vengeful monster who has kidnapped wife of the God-like figure on earth to settle a personal score. His performance is one of the highlights of the movie and which makes it watchable. It is a wonder we see such talent and beauty together and that is Aishwarya Rai; though her beauty is not of any relevance in the "plot" she has scored with a good performance. Prithiviraj as the tough cop has really matured into a fine actor. He has given a nice performance along with the other big names. Prabhu and Karthick have utilized their time on screen portraying their characters with ease and subtlety. Priyamani with her small cameo has given a memorable performance.But all this taken, at the end, we find the story to be clichéd and hope that the screenplay would have been better. The screenplay and dialogues penned by Suhasini Mani Rathnam does not show any ease or effectiveness probably because the story line is weak. By the interval time we feel exhausted at all that has happened but still we realize nothing has moved along. Second half proves better because of the short stint of Priyamani on screen and the final 15 minutes of the movie. And those 15 minutes is the only part in the whole movie that show "some" shades of Mani Rathnam direction. The characterization is so weak we never get time to realize the good has turned evil and vice versa or is it because it was so obvious from all the promos.A note on the music - AR Rahman is not at his best...but cannot say it was bad. It's okay and goes with the film smoothly.The plus point of the movie is cinematography, acting and the last 15 minutes….The movie deteriorates because of the absence of a fine story line and a poor screenplay which I believe are the most important materials in a film.It is not one of the best Mani Rathnam films and it cannot be called a thriller as there is no remarkable storyline to boast off and excite us. Watch the movie to see some good acting. But mainly, watch the movie to witness the amazing locales where the movie was shot through the eyes of Santosh Sivan and Manikandan, especially the last cliffhanging fight between good and evil.~ dillitalkies.blogspot.com ~

Been there. Done that. Watched Raavanan today. Was not bad, tho' could have been better. I sort of liked it i guess. Haven't made up my mind yet. Having said that, there was definitely some amount out of disappointment at the end! Vikram was splendid i felt. But few things seemed missing. For one, i felt Mani Ratnam needn't have to so strictly stick to the Ramayan story through out like the nose reference to Surpanaka (Priya Mani) and Monkey like behavior of Karthik (reference to Hanuman) At least I was happy seeing a slight deviation towards the end.Vikram really proved as why he was worth the billing. He was splendid throughout. Even though u feel that the movie might fall apart, you can never stop enjoying watching this guy act. He grunts, he shouts, he howls, he says that 'buck buck buck' ;-) He does everything in this movie to make that character work. I can't wait to watch his performance as Dev in the Hindi version. There was one thing that I couldn't avoid through out the whole movie. I always kept thinking how Vikram would have done that particular act of Prithvi in the Hindi version or how would have AB done a particular part of Vikram.Prithivi does a decent enough job as a tough cop. No one seems white/Black in this movie. Everyone seem to have a gray shade to their character. Dev is not all-good and Veera is definitely not as bad as Raavanan (from the Mythology) Ash surprisingly didn't look that old as she was from our recent memories. She even looked cute in a few scenes.One more disappointment was that few songs were never fully shown. Veera veera was part of the initial credits. Kaatu sirukki only had an old lady humming it once in the movie (wonder who it was!!!) I wanted to hear Shankar Mahadevan/Anuradha Sriram's version. Only 3 songs Kodu poatta, Kedakkari and Kalvare had some screen presence. Usire Poghudey had a couple of dialogues in between.The big plus of the movie was the Cinematography and the camera work (V. Manikandan and Santosh Sivan) which were ably supported by the splendid BG score by Rahman. I have definitely heard a lot of bad reviews for this movie and know that many people felt cheated and disappointed at Mani's work. As I said earlier, it could have been better. But I guess it works for some and doesn't for the rest. Whatever it is, it was definitely worth a watch for Vikram's acting and the way in which a bright and green rural India was shown through out.

What I can say about the movie..... WOW, only Mani can make like this. I watched both version, simply superb, I love the tamil version. The music, picturization, editing, direction overall...speaks the Director new imagination. Oh yeah, the powerful star casts. Mind blowing performances. Did anyone feel "The Raavan" from Mani's view? WOW...... only Mani can touch that .... The modern RAM and RAAVAN...I watched both version...GO AND WATCH THE MOVIE IN BIG SCREENS..FEEL THE NEW KIND OF CINEMA I have read so many bad reviews for this movie....come on ppl ... i don't understand y people make a mindset with full of expectation for this movie. and y ppl comparing with his previous movies? Yes, it is maniratnum's movie. Forgot abt his previous movies. if the director make movies with mindset compare his previous work, i think mani's last movie is Roja. I really like the way he took challenges to giv new kind of cinema....make us to feel his new touch...his imagination, his technical skills,... Overall ,Raavan and Raavan is must watch movie ..feel the director new imagination, wonderful direction, strong powerful performance from main leads. I never thing so, any other director have this kind imagination, or make movies like this nowadays.