Monday, June 21, 2010


Raavanan (Tamil: ராவணன், English: Ravana) is a 2010 Tamil–language film written, produced directed by Mani Ratnam. The film stars Vikram in the title role, with Aishwarya Rai and Prithviraj essaying the other leading roles as well as consisting of a strong supporting cast led by Karthik, Prabhu and Priyamani. Featuring dialagoues from Suhasini, music from A. R. Rahman, editing from Sreekar Prasad and cinematography shared by Santosh Sivan and V. Manikandan, the film was also made simultaneously in Hindi as Raavan, with a slightly different cast. It was simultaneously released in Tamil, Hindi and a dubbed version in Telugu[1] on 18 June 2010.[2]. It's premiere was held in London on 16 June 2010.[3]

The film follows the crux of the epic Ramayana, with a ruthless police officer on the chase to find a tribal leader and lawbreaker, who has kidnapped his wife. Veeraiya, the kidnapper, is a Robin Hood-like figure to the tribals, and his motif for the kidnap has been led on by the death of his sister, as a result of police custodial torture and brutal rape. The film explores the search by the officer, whilst exploring the changing emotions the three protaganists experience with each other, leading to a riveting climax, situated in the jungle.

Raavanan was announced in February 2008, amidst much hype of the celebrated director, Mani Ratnam's return to Tamil films, whilst Vikram's and Aishwarya Rai's selection in the lead roles, creating more anticipation. Shooting began soon after, and took place in various locations with a record number of extras in areas including Chalakudy, Kerala and Ooty, Tamil Nadu amongst other regions throughout India. Prior to release, the film was given an universal rating by the Central Board of Film Certification and worldwide distribution rights for the trilingual versions were sold for a record Rs.350 crores.

The film opens with shots showing Veeraiya (Vikram) jumping off a cliff into water, readying himself for a kidnapping. Stones are thrown at police vehicles, grease is poured in police bike routes and women seduce policemen as a trap for Veera's henchmen to attack. The policemen are ruthelessly murdered, with Veera celebrating by enjoying his percussion and dancing. Raagini (Aishwarya Rai), on a boating trip, is kidnapped by Veera after he thrashes her boat with his boat, subsequently kidnapping her. Dev Prakash (Prithviraj), her husband and a senior police officer, hears this news and flashback begins

Veeraiyya is a local hero, a sort of Robin Hood- who runs a parallel govt in the areas near thirunalveli forests with brothers - Singarasan (Prabhu Ganesan) and Sakkarai (Munna). He is respected by several people, but is also considered a terrorist by the local police. He kidnaps Raagini - in order to avenge the death of his sister Vennila (Priyamani). Raagini is the wife of Superintendent of Police, Dev, who sets out to seek his wife out and to destroy Veeraiyya.

Dev enters the forests with an ST (Special Team) to seek out Veera, with the aid of Gnanaprakasam (Karthik Muthuraman)- a local forest guard. Despite searching deep into the forests, Dev is unable to find Veera's lair.

In the meanwhile - Raagini finds her reactions to Veera changing from hostility to pity and eventually to respect- after she hears the story of Veera's sister - Vennila. Her husband Dev - took a police team into the wedding of Veera's sister- and took a shot at Veera - injuring his neck causing him to escape. The police then arrested Vennila - and gang raped her in the police station. Vennila returned and commited suicide by drowning in a well.

In the meantime, Sakkarai - younger brother of Veera, decides to have a truce out with Dev. Dev initially seems to agree to a truce but when Sakkarai trustingly comes out of his hiding place from which he was parleying with Dev, Dev shoots him to death- revealing his intentions of destroying Veera being more important than his wife.

Veera and Singarasu - enraged - attack Dev's camp and wipe it out completely. A final confrontation between Veera and Dev takes place on a rickety bridge - where Veera triumphs over Dev - when he decides not to let Dev die. He tells Dev he is letting him live because of his wife, who is as pure as gold. Dev manages to extricate himself out and finds Raagini bound and tied up - with Veera leaving her.

However - Dev is not entirely happy and while returning to their hometown of Mettukudi, dev accuses Raagini of immorality and informs her that it was Veera who made these accusations to him. Furious, Raagini walks out of the train to meet Veera through Singarasu. She manages to meet him and to ask him why he made these accusations - Veera is puzzled and tells her he did not - until he realizes that Dev used Raagini as a pawn to lead him to her.

Dev appears with a police team and shoots down Veera - who falls to his death. Raagini (who seems to be suffering from the (Stockholm syndrome) tried to save him but he pushes her away.

Cast

Shooting began inthe southern part of Tumkur, Karnataka at the end of October 2008. Mani Ratnam became ill during filming, which delayed the filming for a few months in 2009.[4] However, the film began its last schedule in August 2009. The film finished filming and went into post-production in October 2009.[5] V. Manikandan was hired as the film's cinematographer. However, he was replaced in early 2009 by Santosh Sivan.[6][7]

This film has numerous action scenes and stunts performed by the actors. The Kerala martial art form Kalarippayattu is also featured in the film.[8] Dancer Astad Deboo choreographed a passionate chase scene and tandav dance between Vikram and Aishwarya Bachchan for the film.[9][10] Choreographers Shobana, who starred in Ratnam's Thalapathi, along with Ganesh Acharya and Brinda have choreographed in Raavanan. Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee designed Aishwarya Rai's costumes in the film.[11]

Filming took place in numerous locations around India including the forests of Karnataka (Tumkur), Kerala, Ooty, Jhansi, Kolkata, Mahabaleshwar and in the Malshej Ghats in Maharashtra.[12][13][14] While filming in Kerala, the production temporarily ran afoul of forest officials for reportedly not following regulations; the issues were resolved by October 22, 2008.

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