Movie: Raayan
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Dhanush, SJ Suryah, Selvaraghavan, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Selva Raghavan, Prakash Raj, Aparna Balamurali, Kalidas Jayaram and Sundeep Kishan
Director: Dhanush
Produced By: Kalanithi Maran
Release Date: July 26th, 2024
Dhanush’s landmark 50th film Raayan has managed to create positive buzz due to its intriguing trailer and other promotional content. Positive bookings and anticipation to see Dhanush as a director for the second time in his career have created some curiosity in Raayan. Does the film have enough to pack a punch and make this project a success? Let’s find out.
Story:
Kaartavaraayan (Dhanush), Muthuvelaraayan (Sundeep Kishan), and Maanikyaraayan (Kalidas Jayaram) lead a normal life like regular youngsters. Their lives turn upside down when Muthu gets into a brawl with a local don (Sarvanan). Apart from Sarvanan, Sethuram (SJ Suryah), another gangster also enters their lives which turns it all upside down. What Raayan does next and what’s in store for him are what the movie follows.
Dhanush is a pro at this genre and carries the role of a regular youngster and a man entering the crime world with equal conviction. Raayan character has been carefully stitched by Dhanush himself to match his mannerisms and body language and Dhanush looks extremely natural throughout. Kalidas Jayaram and Sundeep Kishan play a solid fiddle to Dhanush. SJ Suryah once again gives a performance that stands out and is phenomenal. He breathes life into Sethuram’s character.
Analysis:
Brotherhood of the trio and their relationship is a key aspect of Raayan and Dhanush ensures all the characters get good space and the film is not just about him. While the film takes its own time to get off the mark, the dullness of pace is fairly compensated by solid action blocks and AR Rahman’s BGM. Dhanush the director comes of age but Dhanush, the writer falters in several places due to slow screenplay and predictability.
Positives:
- Dhanush’s performance
- Action scenes
- AR Rahman’s BGM
- Casting
Negatives:
- Slow narration
- Predictability
- Emotional scenes
- Dragged second half
Verdict:
Raayan is a total feast for action lovers and Dhanush fans. However, the film might test your patience at times and might keep you asking for more once the action sequences end. The movie presents three versions of Dhanush- the director, the actor, and the writer. He succeeds in the first two departments but falls short in the most crucial department which is the third one.