Raavan Movie Review | Critique

Rating -2/5 stars

Often comes a movie, that makes you feel the rush of excitement before you enter the cinema. But when you come out you feel disappointed. Raavan made me feel the same thing. The premise of the film is not without promise but the execution is silly to say the least.

For example, if Govinda plays modern day Hanuman, does he have to fly over trees? Does Abhishek Bachchan have to do his stupid jhak-jhak-jhak act to tell us he is crazy (and frankly it doesn't work)? Does Aishwarya Rai have to say the corny line to Vikram, "Get a good mahurat and kill off this Raavan"? Do the characters have utter the word raavan every half an hour? This are the kind of things that come to your mind when you are watching. In some scenes it seems difficult to believe Mr. Ratnam directed this movie. AR Rahman's music has been wasted songs at times seem forced

Abhishek Bachchan clearly does not fit in to the role of Beera for most parts. Aishwarya Rai is good in parts, but her dressing corners on vulgar at times. Vikram, ah! He is the only saving grace of the film, He plays Ram with negative shades. The fact is he seems more menacing than Abhishek in whole of the film which should have been other way round. I seriously wish to see the other version in which Vikram plays Raavan, He has an excellent screen presence. Govinda and Ravi Kishan are good but they too overacted in some scenes, especially Govinda.The actress who plays Supnakha has performed excellent in every shot she is in.

"So, is there not anything good in this movie?" you may ask. Thankfully the answer is no. The cinematography is excellent. Though design of Beera's den did remind me of Cuppola's "Apocalypse Now" starring Marlon Brando. Set design is superb. The are scenes that have the spark of Mani's brilliance. The scenes of married Vikram and Aishwarya have that physical chemistry, as it should be between to people in love. The scenes in which Abhishek lusts for Aishwarya have immense sexual tension

There are some diamonds in Raavan but they are buried into much rubble to make any difference.

P.S. Every film this yearfor which we have waited has disappointed. Lets hope rest of the year does not disappoint. (But when Anurag Basu and Mani Ratnam fail then there isn't much left to expect right?)

Written By Ali Naqvi