Movie Name : Raayan
Release Date : July 26, 2024
Cast : Dhanush, S. J. Suryah, Prakash Raj, Selvaraghavan, Sundeep Kishan, Kalidas Jayaram, Dushara Vijayan, Aparna Balamurali, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Saravanan etc.
Director : Dhanush
Music Director : A. R. Rahman
Andhrawatch.com Rating : 2.5/5
Story:
In his childhood, Raayan (Dhanush) was entrusted by his parents with the task of looking after his three siblings (Sundeep Kishan, Dushara Vijayan, and Kalidas Jayaram) until their return. When his parents never come back, Raayan commits his life to their care. Their area is under the control of Durai (Saravanan), but Sethu (SJ Suryah) aims to seize it. Amidst this turmoil, Raayan’s brother (Sundeep Kishan) finds himself entangled with these gangs. What is his connection to them? How does Raayan attempt to protect him? The film reveals all these mysteries.
Review :
The film generated considerable excitement upon its announcement, largely due to Dhanush’s dual role as both actor and director. Alongside his compelling acting, Dhanush showcases his directorial skills with finesse.
Sundeep Kishan takes on a pivotal role, delivering a standout performance as a character with complex, grey shades. His interactions with Dhanush and Aparna Balamurali are particularly engaging.
Dushara Vijayan surprises with a powerful performance, which intensifies in the film’s second half. SJ Suryah, true to form, excels in his role, while Aparna Balamurali, Selvaraghavan, and the rest of the cast deliver solid performances in their respective parts.
The film doesn’t offer much that’s novel to audiences. Dhanush presents a familiar narrative with few surprises, and the sluggish pacing of the screenplay reduces its overall impact.
The film fails to provide a strong hook to showcase the tension between SJ Suryah and Dhanush. The reasons behind their conflict are unconvincing, and SJ Suryah’s talents are underutilized.
The film is designed mainly for action enthusiasts and may not be suitable for family viewing because of its violent content. Prakash Raj’s role lacks originality, and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s character has little impact on the storyline. The second half drags, with added scenes that feel unnecessary and stretch the film’s length.
Dhanush demonstrates his abilities across directing, writing, and acting, but his efforts in writing and directing could have resulted in a more captivating story. The second half feels drawn out and could benefit from more editing. AR Rahman’s work is noticeable but somewhat underwhelming. The production values meet expectations.
Raayan doesn’t introduce anything particularly innovative but remains decent thanks to solid performances from Dhanush, Sundeep Kishan, Dushara Vijayan, and SJ Suryah. The action scenes are satisfactory, though they may not be suitable for family viewers. The film suffers from a lack of a strong central hook and a drawn-out second half, which are notable weaknesses.