Making a mass film while preserving its aesthetics is an art, and Dhanush has approached 'Raayan' with exceptional care and dedication to both his audience and his love for cinema.
Raayan's family played by Kalidas, Dhanush, Dushara, and Sundeep Kishan. (X)
A hero’s 50th film is a significant milestone, and Dhanush has marked this achievement with his major project, Raayan. The film’s sharp storyline may spark debate about the effectiveness of its plot twist. However, full credit to filmmaker Dhanush for pushing boundaries and staying true to both the story and the gangster genre.
Dhanush, the director, capitalises on the foundation laid by Dhanush, the writer, and as a result, Dhanush, the actor, shines brightly in the process. Raayan is a fiery spectacle where intense and high-energy action sequences, choreographed by Peter Hein, erupt with explosive force.
Making a mass film while preserving its aesthetics is an art, and Dhanush has approached Raayan with exceptional care and dedication to both his audience and his love for cinema. He has infused the mass hero vehicle with striking visual imagery, creating a poetic narrative of life coming full circle—marked by an emotional beginning and end, with a violent middle.
The film’s writing and direction are most impressive in how it intertwines different aspects of life for the lead characters, as they navigate one issue while dealing with another.
Raayan features events unfolding simultaneously in two places, providing a complete picture. This approach represents serious cinema and stands out for its complexity, especially when most mass films tend to spoon-feed the audience.
Raayan – From today
OM NAMASHIVAAYA 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/vLZPBnwV9V— Dhanush (@dhanushkraja) July 26, 2024
Another commendable decision by Dhanush and his team is opting for an A-certificate for the film rather than a U/A. Given the film’s starkly grim tone, it was a tough decision for the producers to agree to an A-certificate.
Awarding it a U/A would have been a misrepresentation. Despite being action-packed, Raayan centres on a group of people striving for a normal family life, only to face harsh twists of fate.
The opening scenes establish the Raayan family from the point of view of the eldest of the Raayan brothers, Kaathavaraayan, played to simmering perfection by Dhanush. It is quite something to pull off a film that comes off as not just serving its protagonist while serving him all the same and I smiled at this thought as I was watching Dhanush thulp a bunch of goons in haloed lighting.
Any other director now has to go one up on presenting Dhanush in his or her film. Raayan marks a significant character elevation for the actor, as he plays an older character who, unlike his previous gangster roles, is reluctant to embrace the gangster lifestyle.
The Adangatha vibes from #Raayan celebration 🔥🔥 #RaayanFromToday 💥@dhanushkraja @arrahman @iam_SJSuryah @selvaraghavan @kalidas700 @sundeepkishan @prakashraaj @officialdushara @Aparnabala2 @varusarath5 #Saravanan @omdop @editor_prasanna @PeterHeinOffl @jacki_art… pic.twitter.com/jbpbPUFMK1
— Sun Pictures (@sunpictures) July 26, 2024
Raayan is a stoic elder brother burdened by the weight of the world. Dhanush was correct in suggesting that Rajinikanth would have been ideal for this role, as it pays tribute to the iconic, Baashha (1995). The protagonist’s world revolves around his two younger brothers, played by Sundeep Kishan and Kalidas Jayaram, and his cherished sister Durga, portrayed by Dushara Vijayan. Each actor fits their role perfectly.
The cast of Raayan also features Aparna Balamurali, a distinctive SJ Suryah as the volatile gangster Sethu, Prakash Raj as a morally ambiguous policeman, and Saravanan in a surprise role as Durai, whose character is crucial in setting up the subsequent events.
‘Raayan’ poster. (X)
Raayan showcases the exceptional cinematography of Om Prakash, whose wide and close shots effectively convey tension and darkness. Alongside Om Prakash, the other important contributor to bringing Raayan to life is double Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman, who has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with director Dhanush.
Rahman’s background score, particularly in the second half, powerfully reflects the unspoken history and nature of those living in the underbelly of a sprawling metropolis like Chennai.
Writer Dhanush has crafted a Shakespearean dramedy (drama+tragedy) in Raayan. Although the film has many strengths, its plot enters an uncertain territory, particularly in the second half, which may challenge our loyalty to the film.
It’s impressive to see Dhanush opting for a unique approach with Raayan, avoiding the easier path of creating another KGF franchise or similar film.
Given the story’s progression, Raayan offers few opportunities for loud laughter and no romance for the lead character. However, from the perspective of gangster dramas, it leaves little to complain about compared to other films in the genre.
Raayan remains a saga of a troubled man, and bravo to Dhanush for staying true to the core character without turning him into a caricature for popular appeal.
Casting Selvaraghavan in a key “connecting” role in Raayan led an audience member to remark that Dhanush has paid tribute to his brother through this role. Comparisons to Pudhupettai (2006) and Vada Chennai (2018) are inevitable, but it’s notable that Dhanush, as a filmmaker, stands on par with two key directors of his career, Vetrimaaran and Selvaraghavan.
The dialogues flow smoothly, and the occasional humour arises from the wry expressions of Prakash Raj, SJ Suryah, and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, whose cameo elicits applause and empathy from the audience.
What could have been improved? More humour (if fitting for the setting), a romantic subplot for Raayan (though adding another character might weaken him), and perhaps, more time to establish the major betrayal he faces (this is a 50-50). Providing detailed answers through additional scenes could have lengthened the film, potentially leading to the need for a sequel.
The film leaves two key questions unanswered about Raayan’s parents and Prakash Raj’s father. Additionally, a newborn baby is introduced to Raayan post-climax, presumably destined to grow up and ask similar questions. Director Dhanush might consider a sequel to address the unanswered questions about the past. Regardless, it’s certain that any sequel or future film directed by Dhanush will be worth watching.
(Views expressed here are personal)
(Edited by S Subhakeerthana)
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