Raayan - Ordinary but Compelling

 

Movie: Raayan
Rating: 3/5

Cast:  Dhanush, Dushara Vijayan, Sundeep Kishan, SJ Suryah, Prakash Raj, Aparna Balamurali, Selva Raghavan, Kalidas Jayaram and others. 

Director: Dhanush
Produced By: Kalanithi Maran

Release Date: July 26, 2024

Story:

Raayan (Dhanush) was entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding his three siblings (Sundeep Kishan, Dushara Vijayan, and Kalidas Jayaram) by his parents during childhood. However, as his parents never return, Raayan devotes his entire life to caring for his siblings. The area where Raayan's family lives is controlled by Durai (Saravanan), but Sethuram (SJ Suryah) is determined to take over. Meanwhile, the city commissioner (Prakash Raj) is resolute in eradicating all gangs in Chennai. Amid this chaos, Raayan's brother (Sundeep Kishan) becomes entangled with these gangs. How does Raayan attempt to protect him, and what is his relationship with them? To uncover the answers, one must watch the film.

Performances:

Dhanush effortlessly portrays such characters. He embodies a reserved yet intimidating lead role in the film. While it may not be as iconic as some of his other works, he undeniably captivates the audience. Sundeep Kishan shines in a substantial role and delivers an impressive performance. Dushara Vijayan stands out as one of the movie's highlights, showcasing one of her best roles to date. SJ Suryah impresses with his performance yet again. Aparna Balamurali, Prakash Raj, and Selvaraghavan deliver decent performances in their respective limited roles.

What worked for the film:

Raayan is a familiar tale, not a new one. It is a well-worn gangster narrative that has been depicted in numerous films. Nevertheless, Dhanush endeavors to infuse it with a renewed approach, and he manages to do so effectively in pivotal moments. Some poignant scenes between the main characters captivate the viewers, along with well-choreographed action sequences. Despite the predictability of the plot, the screenplay evokes an engrossing feel. AR Rahman has such a significant impact that it looks like he played the role of the second main lead in this film, following Dhanush. His background score was exceptional despite the songs seeming mismatched due to the dubbed lyrics. Om Prakash's cinematography adds a gloomy and dark atmosphere to the movie. The production values from Sun Pictures are commendable.

What did not work for the film:

Like many action films, Raayan also suffers from a slow and dull phase after a gigantic high. The film sets the game between Raayan and Sethuram very well. However, the following pivotal moment in Raayan's life, where everything changes, could have been handled better. The backstory that shows the background happenings could have been dealt with more effectively. 

Raayan Review and Verdict:

Raayan has a traditional setup and showcases stellar performances and superior technical expertise. Though the impact of some crucial moments does not meet expectations, the screenplay was well handled, providing an engaging impact.