Raavanan - A good movie but where is Mani's touch?

Before going critical, I shall start with some positive comments.

Locations were the backbone of movie. Every frame was beatiful and exceptionally fresh. We should appreciate the efforts that went in deciding those places.

Camera work. I don't know how many exclamations should be put.. Two brilliant cameramen Santhosh Sivan and Manikandan were involved in the project. There is a saying that too many cooks spoil the broth. But these 2 together multiplied the standard of movie by 100 times.. Brilliant!!

For the location and camera alone, this movie is a MUST WATCH in theatre.


Vikram. A decent job from him. But that ' bag bag bag'. 'dandandanaka' all reminded Kandhasamy.. Not just for me but most of the audience in theatre were shouting the same. All thanks to Susi ganesan :P

Aish. No disappointment :P

Prabhu has done a good supporting role.

The songs already had a good reach. Usure Pogudhey had great applause in theatre. The picturisation added more value to the song. BGMs were OK (One chorus BGM reminded Ayirathil oruvan BGM). Overall, a minimum guarantee work by ARR again which will surely be hailed by his fans.

Suhasini's dialogues were good in some scenes. But some dialogues were not very clear (may be the movie might have repeat audience for hearing the dialogue clearly). Usually all the dialogues in Mani's movies will be precise, sharp and effective. This movie lacked such dialogues throughout the movie and that could possibly be the reason for not getting the feel of seeing a Maniratnam movie.

Prithviraj, Karthik, Priyamani etc didn't have much scope. Not a commendable performance from them.

So why is it that I say, this movie doesn't have Mani's touch? I don't have a specific answer. Mani's touch is more a feel than a parameter which can be clearly defined.

Yes, we all know Raamayanam story. What is that extra flavor which Mani has added (like he did in Thalapathi with Mahabaratham story base) is the reason for high expectation. But Mani missed to do that this time. Except for a good last 2 mins in climax, the movie was predicatable and usual.

But I would like to appreciate Mani for one thing at least. He continued with Ranjitha wich shows his decency. But it was kind of irritating to see audience whistling whenever Ranjitha came on screen. Podhum sir, vidunga!

Definitely, this movie is better than most of the contemproary movies. But there is something called Maniratnam's standard which is not met in this movie.

But Mani sir! Fans like me will look for your next movie with same expectation, bit pls don't disappoint us one more time :)