This is my first attempt at a proper movie review. It was published in a local daily a few days after the movie's release.
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RAAVANAN (Tamil)
Director: Mani Ratnam
Music: A.R Rahman
Cast: Vikram, Aishwariya Rai Bachchan, Prithvi Raj
This bilingual was one of the most awaited movies of the season. Unfortunately, it falls short of expectations.
The storyline is akin to that of Ramayana, but interspersed with a dash of reality. The hunt for the infamous sandalwood smuggler Veerappan has been replicated effortlessly onscreen.
‘Hostel’.The word seemed synonymous with ‘hostile’ in my opinion. It conjured up images of small rooms with metal beds, tasteless food and a prison like atmosphere devoid of fun or peace. The impression in my mind was very strong, thanks to constant rantings that I had heard in my childhood. I had been threatened to ‘behave well’, failing which I would be abolished or sent to exile, in other words, HOSTEL! I used to shiver at the mere thought of the horror, so I toed the line, but in misery and helplessness..
That was several years ago, when I was a little kid.
Then came the golden years of my life-Teenage. Adolescent age brought with it a myriad of problems ranging from constant arguments to coping with pimples, as hormones wreaked havoc on my mind and body.
It was during my teenage years that I really began to understand the meaning of hostel life. It meant freedom from parents’ advice, the ability to make my own choices and decisions and also a chance to be independent. And so I went for it!
During my final year of BBM , I was moving full steam ahead with plans of studying MBA in hostel. I had opted for studying in my dream city Chennai, but the college was yet to be chosen. But thanks to friends and family, HCL group’s SSN college chose me.
I got in through merit quota and celebrated my success.
Monsoon in the SSN campus
That was two years ago. It was then that my journey began…
The memories abound in my heart. The past two years have definitely been a life changing experience for me. Right from day one to the last, I have lived every moment to the fullest. I have turned into an independent, confident person able to face challenges with ease.
A masterpiece by director Gautham Menon- with great music by A.R Rahman; awesome performances by Simbu and Trisha, this film is a winner out and out. The cinematography is excellent-the camera has captured scenic locations with ease. The dialogues are catchy and in tune with the current era. Youngsters will enjoy this movie but it may not appeal to one and all. Anyone and everyone who understands the love and the pain of loss can relate to this movie. VTV is the kind of movie that tugs at your heartstrings.
The movie is a ‘classic’ and very different from the ‘run of the mill’ stuff that is churned out regularly in the film industry. It is neither the usual romance flick nor a mass/masala film. Its on an entirely different plane altogether. It appeals to the senses in a sort of intricate, delicate manner. Emotions buried deep in your heart are aroused and you are left with bitter sweet thoughts.[Atleast this is how I felt!]
I’m standing at the sea shore- the location being the famous Besant Nagar beach in Chennai. It’s early in the morning, a bitterly cruel cold wind is blowing. It sends an icy chill down my spine, which has nothing to do with fear. There are people around me, but I feel a strange loneliness. There’s still some time left for sunrise. I stand still, hearing the sound of waves splashing – and I’m staring into the horizon. The sky slowly begins to brighten and there’s an orange glow cast everywhere. It’s a slightly cloudy day but still the view before me is amazing. As I stare at the waves, I feel different; my mind seems calm and my worldly worries seem to be evaporating rapidly. I don’t understand what’s happening at first, but then realization dawns, slowly.
It feels like I have developed a strange bond with the waves. They seem to be communicating with me somehow...The message is clear- “Forget your worries, no tension, just relax.” I feel very peaceful, I have nothing to worry about.
