Movie: Raayan
Rating: 2.5/5
Banner: Sun Pictures
Cast: Dhanush, SJ Suryah, Prakash Raj, Selvaraghavan, Sundeep Kishan, Kalidas Jayaram, Dushara Vijayan, Aparna Balamurali, Varalakshmi Sarathkumar, Saravanan, and others
Music: AR Rahman
DOP: Om Prakash
Editor: Prasanna
Action: Peter Hein
Production Designer: Jacki
Written and Directed by: Dhanush
Release Date: July 26, 2024
"Raayan" is a significant milestone in Dhanush's career, as it is his 50th film and his second directorial venture.
Let's explore whether Dhanush has truly made this movie stand out.
Story:
Raayan (Dhanush) owns a food joint to support his family, which includes two brothers (Sundeep Kishan and Kalidas Jayaram) and a sister Durga (Dushara Vijayan). Two mafia dons govern the area: Sethu (SJ Suryah) and Durai (Saravanan).
A police officer (Prakash Raj) wants revenge and is preparing to start a fight between Sethu and Durai. Raayan's brother Muthu (Sundeep Kishan) kills Durai's son in a scuffle, and things spiral out of control.
Raayan is preparing for his sister Durga's wedding, but Sethu's men seek his blood.
Will Raayan stay quiet? Or will he become a pawn in the police officer’s plot?
Artistes’ Performances:
Dhanush, known for his remarkable performances and national awards, delivers an excellent performance in "Raayan." He remains silent for much of the film, effectively conveying emotions with minimal words. However, this role is more action-oriented, showcasing a different side of his talent.
Dushara Vijayan shines as Durga, with a significant amount of screen time and a fiery character that she portrays brilliantly.
Sundeep Kishan impresses as Dhanush's hot-blooded brother, especially in the second half of the film. Kalidas Jayaram's character seems somewhat out of sync with the overall setup.
SJ Suryah's portrayal of the villain is just adequate. Prakash Raj effectively plays the role of a police officer, while Selva Raghavan acts more as a guiding force for the protagonist.
Technical Excellence:
The film's standout attributes are its exceptional technical qualities. The background score by AR Rahman not only enhances the atmosphere but also showcases his deep understanding of human emotions.
Om Prakash's cinematography is highly evocative, while Peter Hein's action sequences are intensely engaging.
Rahman, Om Prakash, and the production designer skillfully maintain a consistent vibe throughout the film. However, the editing lacks precision, and the second half could benefit from significant trimming.
Highlights:
Dhanush and Dushara’s performances
Interval bang
Background score
Drawback:
Unconvincing plot twist
Unimpressive Second half
Not strong hero’s arc
Analysis
"Raayan," written and directed by Dhanush, starts off well. The film begins with childhood episodes of the protagonist and his brothers, effectively setting the tone. The protagonist, played by Dhanush, is introduced silently as a chef preparing food, drawing viewers in and raising expectations for the film.
Dhanush, as the filmmaker, establishes the central plot of a brother leading a humble life, working hard, and fighting to protect his family from those who harm them. The first half successfully portrays the tension between Dhanush's character and the antagonists. The film's setting, primarily dark and rainy, adds to the mood and atmosphere.
The first half also features some impressive action sequences and concludes with a compelling interval bang. Many scenes highlight heroism in simple yet effective ways, showcasing Dhanush's strength as a storyteller.
However, the film's main conflict and objective are vague and lack depth. The central element of betrayal seems illogical, with no clear explanation for one character's actions against the protagonist. This lack of clarity makes the subsequent scenes unconvincing, and the revenge scene in the final act feels overly drawn out.
The emotional depth in the third act is not particularly strong, making the second half feel more like an exercise in stylized action stunts than a gripping emotional drama.
AR Rahman's background score and the film's cinematography enhance the overall experience, but the emotional undercurrents are insufficient to make this action drama truly compelling. Ultimately, "Raayan" ends up being just another action film.
Overall, Dhanush's directorial effort "Raayan" is an adequate action film with a solid first half, but it is hindered by an unconvincing twist and a lackluster second half. The drama could have been more impactful with a stronger story and a more engaging second half.
Bottom line: Second half fails
