Raavan (Mani Ratnam, 2010)

[kaytee]

Mani is back....with A.R. Rahman, music out 24th April, cant wait.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZG09iGjKH0E&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/ZG09iGjKH0E&rel=1</a>

[shariqq]

Mani Ratnam knows how to extract the best from AB Jr. The last shot of this teaser looks as good as the best of the youngster's. Music too - A R Rehman reserves his best for the Mani.

[shariqq]

Official site: www.raavan-thefilm.com

Wallpaper/Poster.

I like the Apocalypse Now feel.

[ak]

Cinematography by Santosh Sivan? Count me in.

[sandeep]

first teaser

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Movie-Promos/v0GVxy67/3/Teaser-1-Raavan.html

[shariqq]

Sandeep, that's the same video that Kaytee has posted right on top...

[shariqq]

Another "face" of this Raavan.

[sandeep]

sorry the video does not load at my work browser, so its just a big empty space...

Sandeep, that's the same video that Kaytee has posted right on top...

[sandeep]

Welcome to the real world South Indian ‘Pandora’, where a different kind of experience awaits you. You knew one thing about Raavan, that it was going to be a visual treat; an expectation it meets. You knew another thing about Raavan, that it was inspired from or loosely based on our epic Ramayana, it doesn’t disappoint there either. As a viewer I wish that this connection was never made, because we then approach the film with our own set of prejudices and the Ramayana story as we remember it.

But here it is, a film released in 3 languages, in 2200 screens world wide, made by acclaimed director Mani Ratnam and starring ethereal beauty Aishwariya with real life hubby Abhishek. They did a great job in Guru, Mani Ratnam’s last, and expectations were sky high this time round.

Early reports suggest that the movie didn’t get a great opening, ratings were bad, and critics were divided between 1 star and 4 star reviews. What happened?

(spoilers ahead!)

As a viewer, I was ready to go into the water world the story was set in. 80% of the film is shot in and around water. The first half moved slowly and was not as packed as the second half. As viewers we expect to take sides and follow through with characters accordingly. In this case, it was difficult because the first and most important question was, who is Raavan? It was not Beera (Abhishek), or Ragini (Aishwariya) or Dev (Vikram). What does Raavan represent? Is he the demon in all of us? Is he evil or is he wronged? Is he strong or does he just appear so? The energy of the word Raavan manifests itself in many ways, and leaves the viewer guessing till the end.

It is important to note that Beera lives in the jungle, approaches life and issues as one would in the jungle. Survival is key, emotions play little role and though the terrain is tough, the will of Beera and his fellow people is even tougher. Contrast that with Ragini, who is held captive for something she doesn’t know, by someone she cannot figure out and awaits her hero, her husband, who she has immense faith in. Sounds familiar? It’s not what meets the eye. The story twists in ways not predictable, and alas, the viewer is upset, how can things turn out this way? This is not what I recall about the Ramayan. Watch it without keeping this in mind, and you will probably appreciate the film more. Things are not as black and white, even our epic has interpretations. Treating them as characters rather than images of God or morality is easier, because then the director isn’t competing with thousands of years of history and roots of the longest surviving ancient religion. The scene with Lord Vishnu in the backdrop not only poses as the best aesthetic sequence, but also as the largest challenge to reconcile the story of the movie with the Ramayan.

Would the film have worked more if it was called ‘Beera’? Maybe. It is a discussion worth having though!

(spoilers finish!)

How would I rate this movie? I would not. As a viewing experience, I enjoyed it very much, but to rate it would mean to standardize something which is not meant for everyone. This movie starts a debate, a discussion, besides being a unique film. Viewers may not want to look for the subtle symbolism or metaphors, or wait for the drama or emotions to unfold. They may like more straight-forward entertainment, and a treatment such as ‘Raavan’ may not be considered entertaining for many.

As performances go, I would have liked to see more of Govinda. Aishwariya has done one of her best work to date, whereas Abhishek’s character may be misunderstood and probably required a better physique. Vikram was good in a short role, the cinematography is magical and the music is excellent. Costumes, dialogue and sets are appropriate. What worked and what didn’t, you wonder? You have to see it for yourself to make that decision...

No rating

[fizz]

Sandeep, I read all of that, spoilers included, and its very well written. You bring an interesting perspective to the film. I don't intend to watch the film but maybe others who see it can agree or disagree with your viewpoints.

[shariqq]

I dunno if I will watch it after the horrible reviews it is getting. If I do, will report back. Sandeep, you've written very well!

[ayaa1977]

I dunno if I will watch it after the horrible reviews it is getting. If I do, will report back. Sandeep, you've written very well!

Horrible reviews?? It has 71% on RT.

[sandeep]

Thanks Guys... this film inspired me to write... the debate that followed after watching it sparked the desire to put it on paper! If you ever do, its worth discussing atleast!

[shariqq]

I dunno if I will watch it after the horrible reviews it is getting. If I do, will report back. Sandeep, you've written very well!

Horrible reviews?? It has 71% on RT.

I din't exactly trust western critics' reviews of Bollywood movies. They'll be wanking over Aishwarya Rai and "exotic" India.

[shariqq]

CNN-IBN's Rajeev Masand reviews Raavan

And of course, the Vigil Idiot version of the movie.