DVD Raavanan

Ravanan is probably one of the hardest movies for which I'll be writing a review for. For most people who have already watched the movie, when they think in retrospect, it becomes easy to term it as 'very disappointing; or 'a complete waste of their time'. Well for one thing, this verdict shows the still conservative, yet to be unconventional mindset of the general audience towards Indian cinema. The most important aspect that I learnt after watching the movie was that, one cannot ever question a filmmaker's viewpoint, especially not of someone who has brought Indian cinema to great heights with movies such as guru and Bombay. Usually in the initial phase, a director has his thoughts aligned in a manner which only he can understand. It is converted to the screen only when he brings his ideas to everyone's comprehension. It is the latter fact that Mani Ratnam has not brought to complete satisfaction, which though he might be clear of, in a way puzzles the audience. In this film, the director has made us understand the importance of looking through a particular situation or argument through a different perspective, more specifically, a perspective which we might fear to judge. Ravanan can be said to have a definite storyline comprising that of a modern storyteller's as well as the ancient sage's. The modernized and refurbished version of the Ashokavanam episode and lanka war is re-enacted and cinematographed in different locations with different character descriptions and names, different, yet similar situations and most importantly looking from a different viewpoint, the perspective of Raavana himself, who we are accustomed to the knowledge that he is the villain.

The idea is different and definitely in the best of its ways. Not everyone is ready to take a blind shot at the vague parts of an epic like Ramayan and Mani Ratnam to the most part has handled the concept well. The support team including the expert actors have contributed to their best and have brought their abilities to near perfection. Vickram as Veera steals the movie with ease, giving one of his best performances. The fierceness in his depiction of modern day Raavana is apt and does quite a lot of justice to Valmiki's image of Raavana. Aishwariya rai who plays Ragini, modern day Sita otherwise, gives another artwork that will always remain as one of her pioneer roles and so do Prithviraj and Priyamani who play Dev (lord Rama) and modern day Shoorpanaka respectively. On the technical front, the music though not the best work of A.R. Rahman does pure justice to the theme of the story and BGM gives you a wonderful thrill. But, the most exemplary aspect of Ravanan is the direction of photography by Santosh Sivan and V. Manikandan. The lens men have captured the scenes in a manner seen never before in Indian cinema. The location, the camera angles and clarity are brought to near precision and gives the most delicious treat to the eyes of the viewers.

So what could be the possible letdown for the movie, to begin with, it lacks clarity towards the climax which most usually matters to the audience because it is the final sequence that tend to have the final impression on them. The ending is clouded with smoke giving no clear idea of the exact feelings of Ragini toward Veera and the tryout of grey shading Prithviraj's character tends to be a little more than required. The scene where he ruthlessly shoots Veera's brother gives us a feeling of hate towards dev and love for Veera. Apart from all these things, once you step out of the movie hall, you are forced to think back about the story, about the characters and most importantly, whether you liked the movie or not, you have a propensity of conflict in your mind about who was right and who was wrong. After all that's what cinema is all about, the primary aim is to make the audience analyze and contemplate and Mani Ratnam pulls of that objective with finesse. With Ravanan, the director has carved himself a niche in greatest epitome of Indian Cinema.

Stunningly spectacular visuals, Sleek and stylish technical aspects, crispy narration, powerful characters and magnificent performance from the cast makes Raavanan one of the best movies of 2010.

Raavanan is the 21st century Ramayana by India's acclaimed writer- director Mani Rathnam. The movie draws inspiration from the crucial events of the epic; the kidnapping of Seetha during the exile, Ram preparing the army to invade Lanka, Raavanan falling for Seetha, Hanumans giant leap into Lanka, to send message across to seetha and cautioning Raavanan about the debacle of lanka, anticlimax where Ram insists Seetha to step into fire to prove her chastity. For those who have no idea about the above events, Raavanan would give you a preface.

The story revolves around Veera ('Raavanan' Nick name); wild, untamed, dauntless warrior. A leader for his clan, his people worship and follow his path. He would not tolerate injustice against his people, this gets him into the police records. Dev, the police officer, who has been specially appointed to capture Veera, shifts to the area where Veera has established his reign. Veera intolerant of the action against his clan, kidnaps Ragini, wife of Dev, and there begins the cat and mouse game which bears shades of Ramayana. In the later part of the movie, we get to know that Veera's vengeance against the police is because of his sister's (played by Priyamani)suicide for the pure agony she faced at the hands of the police. Ragini, then, like the Stockholm syndrome, starts to exhibit a soft corner for Veera. Well paced second half and a riveting climax should be given a special applaud. The climax is the best of 130mins of the film as the performance of Aishwarya Rai and Vikram reach the highest level. Remember this; no other cast could've pulled out a performance like this. Thanks to Manirathnam for the best casting.

Vikram has played his character Veera with perfection, making it his own, in few instances taking it away from mani. He takes each scene into his stride depicting ease with the character. Prabhu, who has played the right hand of Veera in the movie, has given a good performance. Prithviraj, Priyamani and Karthik (outstanding in his come back) have given their best; with Prithviraj playing Dev, the 'good' policeman with shades of grey, Karthik, in fact, seems to be the 'Hanumam' character of the movie brings back the flavor of his yesteryear touch, and Priyamani expresses with her eyes and jazzy voice. Aishwarya Rai as Ragani, the female lead is looking refreshingly beautiful and sinks with the backdrop. She excels in her role and on few occasions she matches the performance of Vikram.

There is a poetic feel in the conversations between Aishwarya and Vikram, and its complimented by the scenic beauty around them. The abundance, splendour and the grandeur of nature has been captured by cinematographer Santosh Sivam and V Manikandan. The views are breathtaking; Mani's Love for rain is almost visible in every scenes especially in those conveying emotions. Cinematographers have done a fantastic job in recreating the spectacular visuals on the screen.

A R Rahman's music is predictably brilliant. Most of the songs bear a rustic and earthy feel and lyrics by poet Vairamuthu glorifies the story. The songs blend with the visuals rendering viewers a treat. The movie has the stamp of Mani Rathnam's style in the narration, scene execution, but still, one does feel the scenes in the first half slack a bit in continuity and connecting characters.

Yet again, the star studded combo of Manirathnam, AR Rahman, Santosh Sivam and Vairamuthu rocks the box office.

On the whole, 'Raavanan' is a film that doubtlessly offers something new, fresh and exceptional. For those whole liked this movie i would recommend a movie inspired from epic Mahabharata 'Thalapathi' written and directed by the same genius ManiRathnam.