Raayan Movie Review: Dhanush’s highly awaited second directorial has a weak story held together by technical brilliance

Raayan Movie Review: Dhanush’s highly awaited second directorial has a weak story held together by technical brilliance

As a lifestyle expert with a keen interest and extensive experience in the world of cinema, I have had the pleasure of watching Raayan, Dhanush’s latest directorial venture, with great anticipation. The film’s stunning visuals, showcased in the poster, immediately piqued my curiosity, and I couldn’t wait to see how it would translate on the big screen.


Dhanush’s second film as a director, titled Raayan, has generated considerable buzz since its announcement. With Dhanush himself starring in the main role, this production boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Kalidas Jayaram, Sundeep Kishan, SJ Suryah, Dushara Vijayan, Aparna Balamurali, Prakash Raj, and Selvaraghavan, among others, in pivotal roles. Raayan made its theatrical debut on July 26th. Given all the excitement, is this film truly living up to the expectations? Let’s explore together.

The Plot of Raayan

In the movie Raayan, we meet a family of four siblings: Dhanush plays the eldest sibling named Kathavaraayan, then comes Sundeep Kishan, Kalidas Jayaram, and Dushara Vijayan. As children, they are compelled to leave their home in a truck due to unforeseen circumstances. Later on, Selvaraghavan’s character assumes the position of a protective figure for them, acting as an informal guardian. He assists Kathavaraayan in securing employment and also finds a residence for himself.

For several years, the Raayan siblings have established a successful fast food business with their truck. With diligent efforts from Dhanush’s character, his siblings were able to attend school, while Kalidas Jayaram’s character advanced to college. Sundeep Kishan’s character, careless and heavy drinker, is infamous for starting brawls.

When one of Sundeep Kishan’s fights turns sour, it brings the Raayan family into a heated discussion, compelling them to confront the local criminal organization. The ensuing events make up the core of the narrative.

What works in Raayan

Raayan’s most captivating feature, evident even from its promotional materials, is its stunning color scheme, expertly captured in the cinematography by Om Prakash. The movie’s breathtaking shots, vibrant hues, and skillful camerawork make Raayan an absolute feast for the eyes.

In harmony with the cinematography, Prasanna GK skillfully edits the film. This accomplished editor deftly connects the story’s elements, ensuring every character plays a significant role. Editing serves as an uninterrupted means for Prasanna to engage the audience effectively.

In Raayan, AR Rahman’s music plays a significant role, infusing the movie with vitality. His compositions have breathed life into the film and are certain to send shivers down your spine. Notably, the film’s thoughtful employment of silence is crucial in creating suspense within each scene.

The action department, responsible for creating the film’s breathtaking fight scenes, deserves recognition. Their expertise results in unique and engaging fights that leave viewers exhilarated. No two fight sequences are alike, making each a captivating visual experience.

To round up, Dhanush’s role as both the writer-director and an actor in the film merits recognition. He skillfully drew out impressive performances from his co-stars while ensuring that every character contributed meaningfully to the narrative. In an interview, SJ Suryah shared that Dhanush personally managed various aspects of production, including lighting, sets, cinematography, and costumes. Dhanush’s commitment is evidently reflected on screen.

What does not work in Raayan

In simple terms, Raayan, just like any other movie, has its weaknesses. Although the film excels in technical aspects, its narrative falls short. The plot of Raayan follows a familiar pattern of betrayal and revenge, a theme commonly explored in Indian cinema. Despite the well-written dialogues, they cannot fully compensate for a storyline that has been repeatedly told before.

The first half of the movie is superbly crafted and reaches a breathtaking climax with its interval block. However, the pace noticeably slows down in the second half, making the events feel rather predictable. Nevertheless, there are still moments that will give you goosebumps. Despite being well-edited, the movie could have benefited from being trimmed by 5-10 minutes.

Performances in Raayan

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: I was thoroughly impressed by the impressive technical aspects of Raayan. But what truly made the film shine were the captivating performances by each cast member. Dhanush, as Kathavaraayan, absolutely stole my heart. Sundeep Kishan brought Muthuvel Raayan to life in a way that left me in awe. Kalidas Jayaram’s portrayal of Manickam was both moving and authentic. And Selvaraghavan’s Sekar, Dushara Vijayan’s Durga, and SJ Suryah’s Sethu each added depth and complexity to the story in their own unique ways. Every character was brilliantly brought to life on screen.

Additionally, the movie’s characters have been compared to animals such as lions and wolves throughout its duration. The actors have brilliantly adopted these traits and conveyed them in their performances.

Final Verdict for Raayan

Although Raayan has noticeable imperfections, it’s worth seeing in theaters due to its stunning visuals, cinematography, and AR Rahman’s captivating music. Dhanush skillfully blends the essence of Tamil gangster films from the past decade with a contemporary edge, resulting in an engaging cinema experience. In summary, Raayan offers a satisfying one-time-watch filled with emotion and fun that you can enjoy with your friends.

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2024-07-26 11:55