Raavan --- Rustic

This was probably one of the most expected movies of the year. The star cast, arguably the country's biggest star director, double Oscar double Grammy winning music director, one of the country's best lensmen, and the most noble of all epics put together, meant success from day one. At the end of the story, you could say Mani Ratnam has done justice to the Ramayana. It's probably Mani Ratnam's movie which has been inspired by an event/epic, and come closest to it. A definitely worthy watch.

There is nothing in the story which wasn't expected. Beera (Abhishek Bachchan), an outlaw, a rebel who lives by his own rules, and makes the rules which all his forestmen follow, kidnaps Ragini (Aishwariya Rai), the beautiful dance teaching wife of Dev (Vikram). Dev along with a local forest officer, Sanjeevini (Govinda) try to rescue Ragini. There is nothing about this story which is to be revealed, and hence I would keep the story for the viewing. There is a story, albeit an expected one.

Mani Ratnam has provided what one expected him to. The master has his directorial touch firmly placed upon the movie. Every scene, right from the sudden transitions of moods, to the way the people act has Mani Ratnam in it. For instance, one of the first scenes where Abhishek says, "Ek sahi, ek galat, ek prashn, (pause) ek jawab" has Mani written all over it. Master screenplay, and some amazing direction, make for an awesome watch. Though I would claim, story must be credited to Valmiki, or better, Lord MahaVishnu, it's a very good adaptation indeed, except for the fact that in an ideal situation, you wouldn't get the chance to show Hanuman drinking beer, which Govinda can do here without any inhibitions. Santoshan Sivan has displayed why he is considered India's best cinematographer. The introductory scenes of Abhishek and Aishwariya include some wonderful camera work. One could say, in the absence of a very gripping new storyline, in some sense it is the cinematography which makes one glued to the screen in the first half. Awesome work on the camera, for such a rustic and raw storyline. Need anything be said about A.R.Rahman? He comes to the party again. While watching the movie, you realise there are so many scintillating tunes which are not part of the music CD. I'm definitely waiting for the official soundtrack of this movie to release. If one was disappointed that Rahman didn't croon in this movie, there is no need for feeling bad, he is heard almost throughout crooning Beera as BGM. Wonderful music, and superb picturisation on Behene De, and Khili Re. Kata Kata seems forced in, and sadly, Ranjha doesn't get more than a couple of minutes of screen space. But the BGM floors you totally. Biggest disappointment: Beera doesn't feature in the movie, it's the song when the credits come up at start.

Abhishek Bachchan is a revelation, and the role has so much acting scope. One can't help comparing him with Vikram, and knowing obviously who the better actor is, one can be sure of Vikram kicking ass in the Tamil version. Aishwariya has tried acting again, and sadly in spite of acting really well, in the last scene, she gives it all away, when she makes a mock "BEERAAA", where one feels she didn't just let herself down, but also Mani's sensibilities down. She looks wonderful without make up though. One definitely has to appreciate the risks she seems to have endured while shooting the forest scenes. Her dance comes to the fore again. Ragini, the dance teacher, dances very less in the movie, but the grace the dance brings along blows one off. She is definitely the best among actresses who can dance as on today! The show stealer is Vikram as Dev, the manipulative cop husband of Ragini. He acts so effortlessly, and every scene has you going gaga about how this guy is so comfortable acting in Hindi. Mani has once again proved what Vikram is capable of. Vikram seemed to throw it all away with Maja and Kanthasamy, after wonderful displays in Sethu, Kaasi, Saamy, Pithamagan, Anniyan and the like, but Mani seems to have given him a double bonaza, a second chance. Hope he makes the best of it. Priyamani comes on screen for ten minutes, and beats the shit out of everyone else. Superb acting. If only she did more such films!!! Govinda is funny, and proves why he is such a good actor even now. Pulls off the Sanjeevini act quite convincingly, making you laugh when the movie seems to be progressing seriously. Ravikishan, the Bhojpuri actor, as brother of Beera is another revelation, as he rises to the situation and makes the most of every scene enacted. Wonderful role. In all the acting department scores high on the list.

The movie is raw. The movie is rustic. But it's a must watch for Mani Ratnam fans. The movie is different, though the story isn't!