Ravaan earns 530 millions

Whatever may be the reviews for Raavan, but what matters is how much business the film does. As per the box-office figures released by Reliance Big Pictures, one of the co-producers of the film, Raavan has done a business of Rs. 530 million. The Tamil version of the film starring the South India superstar Vikram took away the screen as compared to the Telugu version. The Tamil version did a business of around Rs. 110 million while the the Telugu version earned Rs. 40 million, stated the Reliance Big Pictures executive.

Raavan is one of the biggest setbacks at Box-Office

The much-awaited Raavan has emerged one of the biggest setbacks in the key international markets. Besides a talked-about premiere in U.K. before its release, the film also won rave reviews from reputed American critics. But the tremendous hype and the lavish praises haven't translated into excellent figures. Given the extensive release in the international arena, the opening weekend business of Raavan is extremely disappointing in the three major markets - U.K., U.S.A. and Australia. However, its Tamil version, Raavanan, has fared much better in U.K.

Chiyaan Vikram busy with Boopathy Pandian’s ‘Vedi’!

After completing the long and busy schedule of ‘Raavanan’, Vikram has switch on to his new project ‘Vedi’ directed by Boopathy Pandian. After completing 2 days shooting, it was stopped due to some location problems. Film sources say that again it will start its shoot on July 14th in Trichy.

American media praises Raavan to heavens

The taste of the Indians and the West is certainly different. While many Indian critics chose to take a dig at Raavan and dubbed it as 'boring', their counterparts in America observed it differently. Leading publication houses in the US like New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Variety and Hollywood Reporter praised it to heavens.

Chiyaan Vikram At Raavan World London Premiere 2010 Stills

Chiyaan Vikram At Raavan World London Premiere 2010

RAAVANAN - CINEMATIC MAGIC!

Are you not sick of being in awe of this man? Can you ever get enough of his pure, unparalleled genius and his immortal masterpieces? Yes we are talking about Mani Ratnam, probably the finest film maker this country has ever produced and talking about masterpieces, the man relentlessly adds another one to his kitty with RAAVANAN.

Vikram wants to concentrate on Tamil films

Despite making his debut in bollywood films with Mani Ratnam’s “Raavan”, actor Vikram says he wants to concentrate on Tamil films.

“I want to concentrate on Tamil films. I am not really taken up by the fact that I have to do a film in bollywood because then I’ll have to compromise on my career in Tamil cinema. For that matter, if a good script comes my way, I’ll do it irrespective of the language whether it is Bengali or even Bhojpuri,” said Vikram.

Why Vikram not hosting any TV shows?

The famous hero Chiyaan Vikram is on all smiles with the response he got from all over the world for his latest release ‘Raavanan’.

When he was asked that why he is not hosting any TV shows like biggies such as Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan doing in Mumbai, Vikram clarified “I am amused when people ask me why I am not hosting a game or talk show. Because, here things are totally different when compared to Mumbai. When an actor hosts a television show here, people will write him off.”

Chiyaan Vikram to start ‘Vedi’ from July 15th

Chiyaan Vikram is still on promotional tour for his latest release ‘Raavanan’ which is receiving both critics as well box-office success. Film sources say that he will be on tour to Kerala, Andhra and then to US by this month end where he will be honored by Tamizh Sangam.

Vikram says “I’m so happy after going on a theatre round on the opening day of the release of Raavanan in Chennai. The response to the film has been simply amazing, as people are going crazy about it. Now for the next two weeks I will be promoting the film even more aggressively all over south India.”

According to the latest reports it is heard that Vikram’s new film ‘Vedi’ will commence from July 15th in Salem. It is directed by Bhoopathy Pandian and produced by Mohan Natarajan. Slim beauty Ileana plays the lady love of Vikram. The movie is said to be a typical mass masala entertainer in which he plays cop role. Devi Sri Prasad is scoring the music.

Raavan - World London Premiere Star TALK

Raavanan Premiere Show 2010 Stills

“Raavan” opens to rave reviews in the US

Mani Ratnam’s “Raavan” is getting rave reviews in the American media with the New York Times making it “a Critics’ Pick”, a distinction rarely if ever earned by an Indian film.

The Los Angeles Times as also entertainment trade papers “Variety” and “Hollywood Reporter” too have praised the film that opened Friday on over 2200 screens around the world in 35 countries including US and Canada.

“Raavan” has “Bollywood glamour aplenty, with the lovely if occasionally dramatically challenged Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Bachchan’s wife, playing the Sita stand-in,” said the New York Times. “The real star, though, is Ratnam, a talented visual storyteller who directs action crisply and fills the screen with striking images.”

“Artful but not arty, Ratnam, whose films include ‘Dil Se’ and ‘Guru,’ delivers the goods,” said the influential mainstream daily praising A. R. Rahman’s “excellent score” and “an eye-popping climactic battle… on a teetering suspension bridge.”

“And that, folks, is entertainment,” was the Times’ verdict.

The Hollywood Reporter looks at “Raavan” as a “Pan-Indian saga with epic sweep, intense emotion and gorgeous images.”

“Filled with rich colours and lively action, Mani Ratnam’s classically themed epic brings together the mythology of Indian culture and the flair and fun of Bollywood with tremendous flourish,” it says.

Praising cinematographers Manikandan and Santosh Sivan, production designer Samir Chanda and editor A. Sreekar Prasad for serving “Ratnam superbly with images, settings and vitality that take one’s breath away,” the publication thinks “success is inevitable throughout India and with expat audiences.”

“Such is the flare of the filmmaking that international audiences also can be expected to respond positively.”

“Consistently one of India’s most versatile and exciting directors, Ratnam angles for one of his bigger commercial vehicles by mixing knockout action sequences, primal dramatic elements and superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who stays ravishing even as she’s sent through the physical wringer opposite husband and co-star Abhishek Bachchan,” says Variety.

“Stellar cast and good word of mouth look to draw strong B.O. worldwide,” it forecasts.

In the Los Angeles Times’ view “Bollywood superstar Abishek Bachchan has the title role of the romantic adventure epic, but the movie belongs to his exquisite real-life wife Aishwarya Rai.”

“Ratnam and his colleagues give Bollywood fans full value. Ratnam’s pace is steadfastly brisk, and his film is replete with dizzying camerawork, myriad complications, violent mayhem, broad humour, usual musical interludes, a cliffhanging climactic confrontation and a finish that strikes a note of poignancy.”

‘Raavan’ earns Rs.20 crore worldwide on opening day

Director Mani Ratnam’s “Raavan”, which was released in three languages Friday, grossed Rs.20 crore (around $4.4 million) worldwide on its opening day, its co-producer Reliance BIG Pictures said.

All three versions – “Raavan” (Hindi), “Raavanan” (Tamil) and “Villain” (Telugu) – co-produced by Reliance BIG Pictures and Madras Talkies, was released simultaneously in about 2,200 screens worldwide, said a press statement.

While the star cast of “Raavan” includes Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and southern star Vikram, “Raavanan” features Vikram, Aishwarya and Prithviraj. The Tamil version was dubbed in Telugu to reach a wider audience.

For foreign screens, the Hindi and Tamil versions have been released with English sub-titles.

In the Hindi version, Aishwarya plays Ragini, a dance teacher who is married to a policeman, played by Vikram. In the course of events, she is abducted by Beera (Abhishek) and held hostage at his jungle hideout. In the Tamil version, Vikram plays Beera.

The music for both the versions is by Oscar winner A.R. Rahman and the cinematography has been done by Santosh Sivan.

Movie Talk - Raavanan is Extraordinary!

Raavanan Movie Talk

Kasi Theatre in Chennai was reverberating with whistles and claps all through the screening of Raavanan. The film received appreciation from the entire set of audience present to watch it this morning.

All the theatres screening Raavanan reported fans enjoying the film and praised director Mani Ratnam, Chiyaan Vikram's Stunning Performance, Aish acting and also their co-stars.

The initial response to this flick from the public is positive which would make it a mega hit.

Movie Talk - Raavanan is Extraordinary!

Raavanan Tamil Movie Review

Raavanan Tamil Movie Review

Starring: Chiyaan Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Priyamani, Prithviraj, Prabhu, Karthik, Munna, Ranjitha.
Direction: Mani Ratnam
Music: A R Rahman
Production: Madras Talkies

Let’s get this straight. Raavanan is not Mani Ratnam’s attempt to venerate the epic villain whose name the movie is titled after. It’s not also a study on complex human relationships weighed down by trust, conviction or quandary. It’s a pure cinematic retreat spanning across the dense jungles of Southern and Central India with exceptional cinematography (Santosh Sivan and Manikandan), by-now cult songs (A R Rahman) and interesting performances by its lead actors. And the significance of the movie appears in the same order mentioned above.

Mani’s conviction of illustrating an unachievable love story between the two leads (Aishwarya Rai and Vikram) is palpable from the very start of the movie. However, the blossoming of love doesn’t quite form the back bone of Raavanan so much. The movie digresses into other aspects - a man hunt, flash backs, revenge drama and so on and so forth. The man hunts lack dexterity, the revenge drama that is triggered by the death of Vikram’s sister seems engineered and Prithviraj often comes across as stiff – showing unnecessary tautness in the character that is probably designed to defy emotions .

But all that is absolved, as the movie stunningly unfolds often drenching itself in the monsoonal deluge making you feel rain-soaked. If you have any doubt about Mani’s eternal love affair with rain, Raavanan stands as a remarkable testimony. It rains in the song sequences, in encounters and in emotional scenes. And at other instances, the sky is constantly downcast as if threatening to pour down. And the cinematography captures it all in delightful exuberance.

For the most part, Vikram owns the movie seizing it magnificently even from Mani’s own hands. His love blooms out of astonishment at the outwardly courage displayed by Aishwarya Rai and he makes those scenes persuasive for the viewer. He infuses life into the character and shows no jaggedness, falling for a married woman thus replicating, probably the characters of Raavanan. Suhasini’s profound dialogues come in handy in many places and the viewer is made to read between lines quite often.

Aishwarya Rai’s semblance of the late Padmini is unmistakable, it could be her dialogues or the way she manages her composure attentively even in the hardest of terrains the character puts her through. The lady sure has attempted to reach on pair with Vikram in performance in many sequences. Kudos to Mani for a dignified portrayal of his lead woman. There is a refreshing strength in Ragini’s character brought out well by Aishwarya.

Prithvi plays a toughie police officer and somehow his character portrayal leaves a few questions unanswered: for instance, his love for Aishwarya Rai is weighed down by his commitment and that singular fact does not come across convincingly.

Priyamani plays the ill-fated Vennila and leaves a lump in your throat. Karthik in his second innings steals the show. Prabhu and Munna play support roles that ebb and flow with the movie.

Cinematography by Santosh Sivan is brilliant and has rendered the perfect support for Mani. His probing lens takes the audience through the thick jungles, the mighty waterfalls and the rough terrains of India. Music and art direction play equally momentous role in Raavanan as its lead actors. If not for Rahman’s songs and background score, Vikram’s unrequited love wouldn’t have been so painful for us. The songs have already been much debated about and leave no scope for further discussion. One word though: it’s not for nothing “Usure Pogude…” has achieved a cult status. You tend to try hard not to fall in love but fail with the song as Vikram heaves a sigh of relief, having seen Aishwarya Rai breathing and alive after a steep fall.

Sameer Chanda’s art direction complements the ruggedness and splendid beauty of the nature in the jungles so well you refuse to believe anything is man-made.

A major drawback is the lack of ‘Tamil’ feel in the film and its music; it more appears for the audience north of Vindhyas in many places. What Mani loses out is the pace over the later part of the first half; he gains it back with a major twist in the climax. Although you have a few questions about the incidents leading to the finale, those are done away with - thanks to the elegiac climax.

Verdict: Watch Raavanan, it’s visually poetic!

Star Rating :

Raavan Movie Review

RAAVAN MOVIE REVIEW

Starring: Abhishek Bachchan,Chiyaan Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Govinda, Nikhil Dwivedi, Priyamani

Direction: Mani Ratnam

Music: AR Rahman

Production: Madras Talkies

After enjoying the modern day Mahabharata two weeks ago, its time for modern day Ramayana and the person who is directing this modern day epic is none other than the Master story-teller Mani Ratnam. Does the ace director show who the real guru is? Well, he almost has.

The story-line is simple, Beera (read Raavan)abducts Ragini (read Sita) wife of Superintendent of Police Dev (read Ram), to avenge the death of his sister Serena (read Shurpanaka). But Beera instead of killing Ragini falls in love with her. The dense forest looks a mission impossible for Dev if not for an over enthusiastic and bubbly forest officer Sanjeevani (read Hanuman). And while Beera is getting attracted to Ragini more and more Dev is getting closer to Beera. Ragini's love for Dev never changes but she also feels sorry for Beera. Will Dev be able to rescue Ragini? Will Raavan avenge the death of his sister? Well, you do know the story don't you? Or do you want to guess?

Taking the story-line from the mythology is not new for Mani and he has come up with quite a beautiful way of presenting it. But where he falters is in the pacing of the script. Can the movie be any different if it was not a non-linear screenplay? Will it be any different if the climax was compelling (not that it was bad), if Mani hasn't taken so many logical liberties? Well, it could have surely made the experience better. The movie starts off fine but the pace drops considerably and until interval the movie goes in a more sluggish manner. Added to that the unnecessary slow motions. The second half picks up pace but the climax might get mixed reactions from the audience. The reason for that is, we don’t know who is right and who is wrong. Is Dev the bad guy? Yes, according to the movie he might have been, but morally he is right. there are several brilliant scenes in the movie which does make a trip to the theatres necessary.

Abhishek Bachchan as Beera was good but not great, he lacked the toughness he showed in Yuva. But overall he did manage to carry the movie forward in his able shoulders and his hard work for the role did show. Aishwarya Rai as Ragini was looking gorgeous and acts like a pro. It’s a shame that only a few directors are able to get the actor out of her. Vikram as Dev, looks a tad overweight but as always reliable with his emoting. Govinda as Sanjeevani is good but if only he had smarter and wittier one-liners, the effect would have quadrupled. Priyamani was sensational in a cameo. Nikhil Dwivedi is competent enough for the role of Dev's side-kick (supposedly Lakshman). Ravi Kissan is a revelation as Beera's brother.

Technically Raavan stands out; every frame in the movie is picture perfect. Manikandan and Santosh Sivan have out done themselves. The camera goes in the most unlikely places to make the experience spellbinding. Editing by Sreekar Prasad is good but could have worked more in the first half. Music & Background by Rahman is a treat. Its awesomeness taking the form of chords. Action sequence choreographed by Shyam Kaushal and Peter Hein is mind-blowing but just because they are in the crew sending almost all the characters off the cliff is a little bit over done. Dialogues are well written but nothing sensational about it to quote.

Overall, Raavan is a visual spectacle, a modern day Broadway musical of Ramayana which might get mixed reviews from the audience but take this in, it’s in no means a bad movie. We expect greatness from Mani Ratnam, and maybe the expectation is at fault. But don't miss this in the theatres, for its visual poetry by Santosh Sivan and Manikandan.

Verdict: Raavan- looks great but lacks heart

Star Ratings : 

Raavanan Booking Update

As predicted, advance bookings for the opening weekend of the much awaited Raavanan has literally hit the roof with theatres experiencing maddening rush to book tickets. Ticket slots, allotted for online booking, have been sold out the moment they opened and the turnstiles at theatres witnessed huge rush of fans trying to catch the movie over the weekend.

Some theatres are reportedly running shows as early as 5.00 a.m. and tickets have been sold out for those shows as well. Now bookings are on for the next weekend. As it seems, Raavanan will keep the turnstiles busy for sometime from now.

Raavanan Movie Review - Big, bright & beautiful

Raavanan - Big, bright & beautiful
Banner: Madras Talkies
Cast: Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Priyamani, Prithviraj, Prabhu, Karthik, Vaiyapuri
Direction: Mani Ratnam
Production: Mani Ratnam
Music: A R Rahman


First things first. 'Raavanan' is not what everyone thought so. It isn't a contemporary adaptation of Ramayana. Instead, it's the Valmiki's epic meeting Shakespeare's Othello. The master filmmaker Mani Ratnam has apparently taken inspiration from these greatest works to narrate a gripping story in his own inimitable style.

'Raavanan', right from the day it went to floors, has been rising a huge hype and hoopla. And expectations soared a never before high before its release. Does the end product lived up to all? To this question, the answer is- With a huge star cast chipping in with their best, mesmerising shots, crisp editing and riveting music, 'Raavanan' ends up satisfying the appetite of the masses.

All credits to Mani for rendering a movie that is engrossing and entertaining from the very word go. With Vikram around, his job seems to have simplified. The duo end up giving sheen and shine to every scene, which unfolds at good pace. With the best of best in the business like A R Rahman (music) and Santosh Sivan (cinematography) joining hands with Mani, the battle seems to have been won even before it began.

If Mani can be considered the captain of the team, it's Vikram who helps make all his dream a reality. As Veera, he comes out with one of his finest performances. He is not just ruthless, but at times emotional, sentimental and humourous. Veera is an epitome of emotions, which Vikram has brought out well.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is not far behind. She catches up with Vikram frame-to-fame. As a bewildered Ragini, who is kidnapped by a mighty man, she brings out the right emotions. Worked hard for her role, running in jungles, sliding from cliff. Prithviraj as Superintendent of Police looks stylish and apt for role.

The storyline is nothing new to Tamil cinema. It is basically a revenge drama. But what is entertaining is the way Mani has made the script and screenplay. Man of many accomplishments, he has ensured that it has class and mass elements in them.

The movie begins with Veera (Vikram), a dreaded don and his men fighting cops and taking away Ragini (Aishjwarya Rai). Ragini's hubby Dev (Prithviraj) is Superintendent of Police in Thirunelveli district who is already behind Veera who has over 60 cases pending against him. But he is ala Robinhood in the forest for his kind heart.

The cat and mouse begins between them. Dev is joined by a DSP (John Vijay) and they enter the forest. They get the help of a former forest guard Gnanaprakasam (Karthik), who knows the nook and corner of the jungle.

Meanwhile, Veera keeps shifting Ragini from one place to another with his elder brother Singam (Prabhu) and younger sibling Sakkarai (Munna) helping him. Veera is also helped by the villagers in every act of his. Ragini even attempts to end her life, but Veera saves her. In the meantime, Veera and his brothers manage to catch hold of the DSP and physically harass and torture him.

Angered at their act, Ragini pours angry words. When she questions as to why he has kidnapped her and is abusing a cop, an agitated Veera narrates the reason for all his acts. In a flashback, it is revealed that the death of his sister Vennila (Priyamani) had provoked him to do so.

Vennila along with her brothers lead a happy life until her marriage is fixed. On the day of her wedding, Dev and his men enter the wedding hall and attempts to bump off Veera, who along with his brothers flee from the place hoping that Vennila would be protected by her husband. However fearing life, the bridegroom runs away leaving her. Her modesty is outraged and she is forced to end her life. Brothers then vow to avenge Dev.

Now cut to present, Ragini starts to sympathise Veera. The hot chase by cops for Veera continues until Gnanaprakasam prefers to come all alone and broker peace with Veera. In return, Sakkarai goes to meet Dev and agrees to end everything. But he is killed.

Now it is all up to an angered Veera to go hammer and tongs and teach a lesson to cops. At one point of time, Veera allows Ragini to go with her husband. But Dev makes sure Ragini meets Veera once again. What is his motive and what happened to Veera is the climax.

It has been a gripping narration from the very first frame. After 'Sethu' and 'Pithamagan', another side of Vikram's acting credentials is exposed. As Veera, he is at free touching almost every aspect of acting.

Aishwarya is pretty and comes out with her best. Prithviraj and Priyamani have taken the challenge of being part of a Mani Ratnam's film and delivered their best. John Vijay walks away doing a negative role.

Karthik as forest guard fits the role to T. His expression and body language are something interesting. Equally attracting is Prabhu. Munna as Vikram's younger sibling gets a meaty role to play, which he utilises well.

The shots especially in the huge jungle, water falls, hot chase and stunts have been canned at their best. The tone and texture is amazing. All credits go to Santosh Sivan. Rahman's music is the highlight and it gets more sheen with the way it has been shot. 'Veera Veera...' and 'Usure Pogudhey...' still chime in our hearts even as we walk out of theatres.

Verdict : Running for little more than two hours, 'Raavanan' will go down in the history of Tamil cinema as one of the finest and best. Cheers Madras Talkies and Mani Ratnam for rendering a class movie that is racy and entertaining too.