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Kollywood’s versatile actor Dhanush has marked a significant milestone with his 50th film, “Raayan.” A much-anticipated project, Dhanush’s directorial venture stirred curiosity among fans and critics alike. Let’s dive into the review and see how this film fared.
Storyline:
The plot revolves around Karthav Raayan (Dhanush), who, along with his two brothers, Muthu Raayan (Sundeep Kishan) and Manikya Raayan (Kalidas Jayaram), and his young sister, Durga (Dusara Vijayan), moves to Anjanapuram in Chennai after a shocking incident during their childhood. Karthav deeply cares for his sister and will go to any lengths to protect her. While being supported by Shekar (Selvaraghavan), Karthav, through sheer hard work, raises his siblings and sister to adulthood.
However, the story takes a twist when a power struggle ensues between two local dons, Sethuraman (SJ Suryah) and Durai (Saravanan). At the same time, a police officer (Prakash Raj) steps in to restore order. What happens next? Will Karthav overcome these challenges? To know the full story, you’ll have to watch the movie!
Strengths:
The standout feature of “Raayan” is the performances. Dhanush ensures each actor is perfectly cast in their roles. He shines once again as Karthav Raayan, showcasing his versatility in both emotional and action sequences. His intense portrayal breathes life into the character, leaving a lasting impact.
Sundeep Kishan also shines in a well-defined role, delivering a natural and compelling performance. Kalidas Jayaram follows up on his solid performance in “Vikram,” offering a decent portrayal here too. Dusara Vijayan, who plays the sister, is a surprising package, delivering an impressive performance, especially in some powerful mass scenes.
As the villains, SJ Suryah and Saravanan are convincing and bring depth to their characters. Actress Aparna Balamurali pairs well with Sundeep Kishan, and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Divya Pillai make notable appearances in their roles. The engaging screenplay is further elevated by AR Rahman’s music and background score, amplifying the impact of key scenes.
Weaknesses:
However, the film does have its shortcomings. The main issue is the lack of a strong, unique storyline. The narrative feels familiar, with predictable elements often seen in mass entertainers. There’s little suspense or excitement, and several scenes evoke déjà vu from past films like “Asuran,” “Lakshmi,” and “Narappa.”
The film also lacks jaw-dropping twists, and the roles of seasoned actors like SJ Suryah and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar could have been more impactful. For every moment that impresses, there’s another that feels underwhelming.
Technical Aspects:
On the technical side, the production values are solid, and care has been taken with the Telugu dubbing. AR Rahman’s work stands out, with some powerful songs and impactful re-recordings enhancing the film’s mood. The cinematography is impressive, though the editing could have been sharper.
As a director, Dhanush delivers a fair effort. While he does justice to his role as an actor, his direction falls short of expectations for such a landmark film. Although he handles the routine plot well enough to keep the audience engaged, there’s a sense that the screenplay could have been more dynamic and engaging. His work here can be considered average as a director.
Verdict:
In conclusion, “Raayan” Dhanush’s 50th film has its highs and lows. While there are plenty of moments that will please his fans, there are just as many that fall flat. Still, Dhanush’s ability to steer the narrative without boring the audience saves the movie from sinking. If you’re a fan of Dhanush and enjoy a decent mass entertainer, this one is worth a watch.
