ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

Tacticalin An absolute waste of money

Allison Davies The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Winifred The movie is made so realistic it has a lot of that WoW feeling at the right moments and never tooo over the top. the suspense is done so well and the emotion is felt. Very well put together with the music and all.

Sushant Tandon After more than 4 years of it's release and a million criticisms, I finally decided to watch Mani Ratnam's Raavan. After 122 minutes, I was awestruck by the poignancy and the minor details in this film that the director had focused on.Let me tell all those who're reading this and have still not seen it. Most people got offended by the fact that this movie glorified Raavana, the antagonist in the mythology Ramayana and showed him to be a bigger man than Lord Rama, who they thought was being depicted as a selfish and shrewd person; who finally was able to make Sita fall in love with him or at least kindle feelings in her heart, contrary to the mythology. This is not the case. It's just a movie and the title of the film is with respect to what the police think of Beera(Abhishek Bachchan). He is a Robin Hood like character who loses a bit of his mental stability and innocence, but not his moral integrity, after a personal tragedy for which he holds the local police responsible. So he kidnaps the wife of the local police superintendent. During the period he holds her captive, both develop feelings for each other and the wife also becomes unsure about her feelings for her husband. During the chase, the SP becomes obsessed with the thought of nabbing Beera, while getting back his wife takes a secondary position. This is in no way comparable to the Ramayana, where Lord Rama was always genuinely offering Raavana a chance for truce and returning Sita back to him. The inability of the audience to separate the mythology from the movie is why it tanked in the the entire country except for in South India, where supposedly people worship Raavana and where the Tamil Version was a big hit.Starting with the negative aspects, I absolutely loathed Vikram, in his portrayal of the Police SP. Then there was the editing, that could have been a little better and some scenes could have looked better polished rather than seeming unnecessary at certain places.NOW, coming to the positive aspects…. Abhishek Bachchan gave a powerful performance as the mercurial Beera and enacts the weird characteristic traits with aplomb. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is pretty good considering her limited acting talent. Govinda and Ravi Kishan excel in their respective roles. I really loved Priyamani , who plays the role of Beera's deceased sister, whose death is the layout for the entire story. Another major reason for this film's criticism, is that most of the Indians have a tendency to enjoy brainless comedies, as we have a normal human tendency of running away from the stress in our lives and do not wish to see a movie that is a bit too serious.I sincerely hope, that people do watch or re-watch this movie to observe it's sheer genius. It's unfortunate, that the role that should have cemented Abhishek's image as a versatile lead actor in the Hindi film industry,turned out to be just the opposite because of the inability of today's generation to appreciate intelligent acting.

vysakh v pillai i strongly feel this is a master piece ,which has a shattered fate to be unnoticed. Every thing in the film the cast,crew,directors have the their long years of experience in the field of filmography. what could possibly damage the film. I consider the the plot as a major culprit. In Indie every child knows Ramayana the legend (other than Hindu children ,they learn it from TV or schools).The story of Ramayana has its one beauty. I strongly doubts the film , about its efficiency in capturing this beauty. I was bit bored when i watch it first time in theaters, i expected the magic of Maniratnam presented in the form of Vikram . But it doesn't happened .The entire film was bit slow ,we were waiting to see what happens next. The real wonder for me that, what ever the plot is and what ever the problem with it . The crew pulled the movie to the next level in all means .The Cinematography was brilliant ,every shot was taken by showing the breath taking beauty of forest . The actors was also performing to their best levels . In recent time we haven't seen Aswariya acting with this much dedication. In some scenes we feel is she is really kidnapped !!. I think the film is watchable for the fact ,the actors , crew had done the brilliant job . For Mani its a bit lack of magic ,he usually have when he make films ...

sandhirflora I have seen RAAVAN and without being pretentious I can say I find this film thoroughly watchable and interesting, though not a great piece of cinema. What I observed in past few days is- almost all critics of the nation joined hands and together ripped apart a vulnerable film just because it has not given great box office results in its opening day. But honestly, when is a box office report a criteria of a good or a bad film? Yes, this point needs analysis, not the film.You might find this review biased but so are all the reviews I have read about this film. This is not "Mani-Bhakti" either. But this North Indian vs. South Indian debate should stop. There are elements where this film scores above others. A lot of elements were better than expected and some are less than expected. The only thing is it is a kind of movie that did not met people's expectations. There are certain films which are seen, enjoyed & analyzed not for their content part. Their parameters are different. It is like a book which you read for its use of language and not the subject per se. In any case, why anyone even expects high quality content or great, fresh storyline in any of Mani's films or rather anyone films? Mani's films always have very thin, simple story lines (right from Roja) but very high on visual style & visual Opulence. I think that is his trademark and here it is in plenty. If one is aware of Mani style of narrative & filmmaking, then he should know what to expect from his films. This one is not his best film, neither one of his better films.It is a film that finds its grammar, its language and its lyricism in an unusual way, of how its visuals are crafted. Though there is an interesting story also but that comes only in the last 20 minutes. It is sublime, with political overtones and context, and yes, one wished if it can be more explored. There is a twist given to the great mythological Ramayana also which might offend few but hey it is just a story. The film stays clear from making any definite statement. Call it if you could, a long, drawn visual gimmick but at least not a superficial one. Who else can take you right in the middle of dense forest, rocks, waterfalls, rivers, mud & make you smell and feel it. How many Indian filmmakers you know, would attempt something like this? The last one such film I can remember is 2000 released RGV's JUNGLE, another not so great film but yes another brave one. As far as performances are concerned, enough controversial statements have appeared and therefore I will not add to it except that actor Vikkram has acted very well. The cinematography and the sound design is world class. The stunt sequences (Sham Kaushal & Peter Hain) especially the pre-climax fight sequence on the bridge, is one of the best that you can ever get to see in any of Hindi film. Sorry, you don't watch films for that. Point taken! One more thing such films can be watched only on big screen but if you are worshiper of this U-tube or DVD fad, then sorry again, this one is not for you. If you are the one who watches a film once in three months in cinema houses (one probably being 3 Idiots & next may be a Housefull or something) again this is not for you. Because if you are looking for your usual territory of a Popcorn entertainment well my advice is watch those tried and tested, reused & recycled stuff like My Name Is Khan/ Atithi Tum Kab Jaogey & Housefull. For just plain entertainment, you can watch 3 Idiots for 10th time; at least a purpose is fulfilled. To me, entertainment is too personal. It is a way, how you define it.On the contrary, it is one of the better films –better compared to most of the other films released this year. Undoubtedly, it could have been better. Dialogues are weak. But more than film it is an experience and a thorough one. Latest example in this context is - Hollywood blockbuster AVATAR which is more an experience or thrill than a great logical story telling. But it was refreshing. Sorry I was not keeping track of the story or characterization, I don't felt the need for the same. It surely is not the top thing in such type of lively jungle adventure. But I agree it is not a film for everyone. I agree that characters should have more neatly sketched but in this kind of setup I don't mind what I get it. One more thing, this is surely not a film about authenticity or reality. Please don't try to teach a Maestro how to write, shoot or edit a film. Please leave those jobs best in the hands of our capable directors and their efficient crew. In fact cinema is created from the alter-ego of its maker and nobody should be allowed to dictate terms. When he makes his trademark films, Mani or rather any filmmaker does not need to please everyone but only to himself.To me, when one goes to watch a film and one should get surprises… sometimes surprises in the form of visuals. A good film is about a surprise or a shock element not always story. This film definitely surprises, though for some it may be a shocking surprise is altogether a different issue. I measure the success of a film if that surprise makes you sit through. And that is a winner in true sense. Damn the BO!

Sangam Yadagiri I first saw this movie and was bold over. Completely driven by passion and being more than 2 years in making, the film actually caters to the senses rather than intellect.Starts on a high pitch, it moves on a roller coaster ride and ends in the shockingly magical movement, a cinematic thrill, it can be called.If seen as a one piece, not as fragments like performances, music, direction or screenplay, this movie can be the 2 hour 20 minute immersion in the waters from which when u come out feels like ooh..this world still exists!@#$?.This is the best till date from Mani Ratnam. The second time I saw this movie I felt just the images not the sounds. In the era of Tata-Sky- Plus-record-now-and-watch-later, not many can savor a movie of beauty spontaneously but the times to come, more will surely get the pleasure of watching this movie.